Sexual functioning in Chinese stroke patients with mild or no disability

This study was conducted to assess the effects of stroke on sexual functioning of patients with mild or no disability and to explore the associations of clinical and psychosocial factors with post-stroke changes in sexual functions. Consecutive stable Chinese patients were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire concerning their pre- and post-stroke sexual functions and habits. Results from this cohort of 63 men and 43 women revealed a post-stroke decrease in libido, coital frequency, sexual arousal, orgasm and sexual satisfaction in 54.3%, 43.8%, 25.0% (women) to 51.6% (men), 20.0% (women) to 45.9% (men) and 28.6% of patients, respectively. Logistic regression indicated unwillingness for sex and a belief in an adverse effect of stroke on sexuality as explanatory factors for decreased sexual satisfaction. Thus, sexual dysfunctions are common in Chinese stroke patients with mild or no disability. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel.