Aspects of Sexual Functioning in post-stroke Patients

Abstract

Introduction. Stroke is a sudden disruption of cerebral circulation, leading to hypoxia and damage to brain tissue, which can result in permanent neurological deficits. It significantly affects patients’ sexual functioning, causing both physiological and psychological difficulties in the intimate sphere.

Aim. The aim of this study is assessment of the functioning of people after stroke.

Material and Methods. The research used a diagnostic survey method, which allowed for collecting data directly from 160 respondents. In order to assess the level of sexual functioning, two questionnaires were used, adapted to the respondents’ gender: FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index) and IIEF-15 (International Index of Erectile Function).

Results. In the studied group of women after stroke, the mean response to the FSFI test was M=7.67, SD=8.086, which indicates a low level of sexual functioning in this group of women. The analysis of the compliance of the distribution of variables with the normal distribution showed no compliance for the analyzed variables, which means that the distribution of results in none of the analyzed variables is consistent with the normal distribution. In the study group of men after a stroke, the average IIEF-5 test response from the total score was M=1.13, SD=1.271, which also indicates a low level of sexual functioning in this group of respondents.

Conclusions. Men and women are not satisfied with their sexual life after stroke. Men after stroke have difficulty achieving erection and orgasm. Post-stroke women have difficulty achieving orgasm. Post-stroke women often experience discomfort and pain during sexual intercourse. (JNNN 2025;14(2):61–67)