female sexual problems in multiple sclerosis and its association with quality of life

female sexual problems in multiple sclerosis and its association with quality of life     qaderi k [1] *, merghati khoei e [2]     received: 22 may , 2013 accepted: 22 aug , 2013     abstract   background & aims : multiple sclerosis (ms) is the most common cause of progressive neurological disability in young adults. sexual problems (sp) are often experienced by people with ms. as women with ms are 2-3 times more than men, the aim of this quantitative study is to examine female sexual problems and its association with quality of life in iranian ms society.   materials & methods : one hundred and thirty-two women with ms filled out multiple sclerosis quality of life-54 questionnaire, multiple sclerosis intimacy and sexuality questionnaire-19 and demographic and medical history questionnaire. data were analyzed by using spss 16 software and pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine relationships between quality of life subscales and sp items.   results: d elayed orgasm, pain and concern about partner's sexual satisfaction were the most frequent symptoms of primary, secondary and tertiary sexual problems respectively. statistically significant negative correlations were found between physical function, overall quality of life, energy, sexual function, health perception and social function subscales and all secondary sps. social function subscale had strongest relation with secondary sp.   conclusion: body moving problems during sexual activities and exacerbation of ms were related with all quality of life subscales. more focus on sexual problems when consulting patients may lead to improve the quality of life for these patients.   key words: multiple sclerosis, quality of life, sexual problems     address: nowdesheh health center, kermanshah university of medical sciences,iran.   tel: (+98) 9195583832   email : [email protected]   [1] nowdesheh health center, kermanshah university of medical sciences,iran. (corresponding author)  [2] assistant professor, sexual health promotion, phd drug treatment & prevention fellow, department of psychiatry & behavioral sciences, medical university of south carolina( musc), school of public health tehran university of medical sciences (tums)