Background: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a stressful and common symptom in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and affects different aspects of their life, seriously. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, dimensions, and predictor factors of SD in Iranian women with MS.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Iran MS Society. Participants were 260 married women who had definite MS. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires, including Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire-19 (MSISQ-19); Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS); Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21); Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID); ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Scale (EMS); Sexual Self-Efficacy Questionnaire; and socio-demographic and disease information questionnaire. Pearson correlation coefficients, independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple linear regression model were used for data analysis.
Results: Majority (76.2%) of the participants had SD, and according to the dimensions of SD in MS, primary SD was found in 176 (67.7%), secondary SD in 158 (60.7%), and tertiary SD in 126 (48.5%) of the participants. The most important and common problem was delayed orgasm (60%). According to the results of multiple linear regression model, the predictor factors of SD were sexual self-efficacy (B = -0.721, P < 0.001), disability status (B = 2.714, P < 0.001), urge incontinence (B = 0.367, P = 0.029), depression (B = 0.446, P = 0.007), anxiety (B = 0.332, P = 0.037), fatigue (B = 0.177, P = 0.002), duration of disease (B = -0.463, P = 0.014), and duration of DMT use (B = 0.662, P = 0.002).
Conclusion: According to the results of this cross-sectional study, SD was a very common and complex problem in women of Iran MS Society, and a number of physical, neurological, and psychological factors, such as sexual self-efficacy, disability status, urge incontinence, depression, anxiety, fatigue, duration of DMT use, and duration of disease, play a role in SD of these patients. So, in the treatment procedure of SD in MS women, adopting a multidisciplinary approach, as well as considering all contributory factors and their impact on sexual function, is recommended.
Keywords: Islamic Republic of Iran; Multiple sclerosis; Sexual disorder; Sexual dysfunction; Women.