Overview
Sexual dysfunction in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) is an important yet often overlooked problem. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in female patients diagnosed with MS. The secondary objective is to evaluate the relationship between sexual dysfunction and fatigue, depression, anxiety, overactive bladder symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction.
For this purpose, the following validated instruments will be used: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) to assess sexual dysfunction, the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) to evaluate cognitive function, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess depression and anxiety, the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) to measure fatigue, and the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-V8) to evaluate overactive bladder symptoms.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Female patients aged 25-50 years
- Literate and able to comprehend written and spoken instructions
- Diagnosed with relapsing-remitting form of multiple sclerosis
- Having a continuous/regular sexual partner
- Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤ 5
- At least 3 months since the last relapse
- Sexually active within the past 3 months
- Spasticity level < grade 2 according to the Modified Ashworth Scale
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnancy
- Illiteracy or inability to understand spoken or written instructions
- Absence of a continuous/regular sexual partner
- Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score > 5
- Not sexually active within the past 3 months
- Spasticity level ≥ grade 2 according to the Modified Ashworth Scale