Post-Stroke Sexual Disorders and Its Real-Life Experience within Couples in Brazzaville

Abstract

Background: Post-stroke sequelae can have repercussions on the sexual life and relational life of patients and their partners. Objectives: To determine the frequencies of sexual disorders after a first stroke event; to identify the factors associated with sexual disorders; to explore the real-life experience of sexual disorders within couples. Methods: It was an analytical cross-sectional study, conducted on patients followed up for a first stroke and their partners. It was carried out at public and private hospitals in Brazzaville, Congo, during the period of patient follow-up, from May to September 2019 (5 months). The Female Sexual Function Index, International Index of Erectile Function 5 and interviews were used to describe sexual aspects. The real-life experience of couples was explored using standardized and pre-established questionnaires. Results: Of the 36 patients who had taken up again sexual intercourse after stroke, 29 (80.6%) were men. Among the post-stroke sexual disorders, erectile dysfunction (53.2%) and ejaculatory dysfunction (40.4%) were the most frequent in men. Decrease of sexual desire was predominant in women (100%). Factors associated with erectile dysfunction were sleep disorder (p = 0.007) and mean sleep duration per night (p = 0.01). Lack of verbal and non-verbal communication of sexual problems and psychological effects was noted in 77.8% of patients and 60% of their partners. The most frequent psychological effects were: in patients, frustration (52.8%), attitude of person decreased (50%) and sadness (41.7%); in partners, attitude of carer (86.7%). Conclusion: Post-stroke sexual disorders are frequent in our context. Sleep disorders and mean sleep duration per night, psychological factors seem to have a negative impact on the sexual life and relational life of stroke patients and their partners. It is important to improve the sex management of couples.