People with Parkinson’s can experience significant sexual disturbances as the disease progresses.
Physiological as well as psychological factors can explain the deterioration in sexual function. Sexual interest and activity is reduced in both males and females. Men report erectile dysfunction and women have difficulty in achieving an orgasm.
Motor symptoms (e.g. rigidity, tremor and bradykinesia), mood changes (e.g. depression), treatment with anti-Parkinsonian medications, as well as psychosocial changes (e.g. employment, sexual role) can contribute to the development of sexual difficulties. Both erectile dysfunction and medication-related hypersexuality may cause considerable distress to both the person and partner/spouse. Hypersexuality is often not discussed with the doctor, due to embarrassment, but it should be.
My wife and I were in our forties when we met, and we had a great sex-life which brought a warm closeness to our marriage. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s ten years ago, various medications were prescribed in order to find a combination that would bring my symptoms under control. The symptoms are more or less all right now, but… my sex-life isn’t what it used to be, and it is quite difficult to speak to my doctor about my problems with impotence. I have to plan sex for the times of the day when I feel the best. It is frustrating that I am not the spontaneous person I used to be. My wife is very understanding, but I feel that this is her problem too, not just mine.
Huang, 51
New York, U.S.A
