Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Sexual Side Effects

Wed, 03/29/2006 - 14:24
Why do you suppose that more neurologists and epileptoloists do not mention that a majority of anti-seizure pills do often make "normal" sexual performance for men difficult--if not sometimes impossible when it comes to erections? The first answer will pop up. And that is, even better-informed male patients will say "...to hell with my pills" and choose to live their sexual life "normally". Mind you, that last word I put in quotes, for who anyway should define "normal"? However, after having tried about as many anti-seizure drugs as the number of years I've had epilepsy (that's 35), I can speak as something of a lab rat. Many pills do affect a man's bedroom performance. And while this shouldn't become our reason for living, it is part of being a human, whether single, married or just evaluating our private parts. As society's attitude toward we handsome, educated humans with epilepsy matures, so does its understanding of "performance" when it comes to sex. Mind you, an honest woman will explain when love-making isn't just the thing for her; that does occur. My point is that this topic shouldn't remain in the proverbial "closet" any longer. Let's talk about it on this fine site, as well as face-to-face. Studies reveal how many men live virtually their entire lives feeling guilty for not performing sexually 24-hours a day, where in fact, there's most likely not one who ever has, other than in movies. And that includes this writer!

Comments

Re: Re: Sexual Side Effects

Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2006-05-10 - 21:58
Glad to hear this being talked about. Sexual problems can occur in both men and women with seizures but don't be too quick to blame meds for all of it. While some meds may affect sexual drive, research is also showing phsyiological changes that may be affected by the epilepsy. Hormonal changes have been seen in some men as well as women with epilepsy and these can contribute to sexual dysfunction/problems. Areas of the brain involved with control of hormones and sexuality are often involved in or closely tied into areas where seizures arise from! Research is still young in this field. For research on men's issues, look at articles by Dr. Andrew Herzog.Or look at the professional side of epilepsy.com for info on men's issues - professionals.epilepsy.com/page/specpop_men.html This link focuses on meds but keep in mind that seizures affect hormones and brain function too! If a man is having problems, wise to bring it up with the doctor and ask to see someone who specializes in hormone function and seizures. Take a look at the Find a Doctor section and see if this helps. Good luck! Epilepsy.com Resource Specialist

Re: Re: Re: Sexual Side Effects

Submitted by lostinLA on Thu, 2006-08-24 - 22:13
I'm new to this site. I started having night time seizures 4 years ago and was put on 400mg Tegretol, around 8pm. I have always had a high libido throughout my teens, 20s and 30s. The smell of tuna in a can used to get me off. Now that I'm 44 and 4 years into Tegretol, my libido has taken a beaten. Solution: I exercise 4 times a week (play lots of racquetball), eat very small portions of lots of fruits and protein, and a trainer taught me how to inject myself 1/2 cc of testestorone every 2 weeks. I don't drink alcohol or do drugs. All this helps tremendously. Tegretol thins the blood and you have to do what you have to do. I buy my testestorone from Europe (top of the line) and it does wonders. What Tegretol destroys, the testestorone puts back and with exercise and eating right, you can keep your self in good shape. You gotta do what you gotta do.... If I live till I'm 65 or 70 because of what I'm doing to my body, I'll be happy and I accept it. But I refuse to live a sexless life in my 40s and 50s. I truly enjoy the pleasures of sex because it is the most fun you can have without laughing...

I hear you. I have had

Submitted by TimCC on Sun, 2007-01-28 - 20:37
I hear you. I have had epilepsy ever since I was 9 years old. I was still the typical horn-dog teenager like any other--partially due to taking less medication than prescribed--but lately I have made a drastic drop in my sex drive. My seizures are so bad the last few years that taking all of my medication has yet to gain control. For years my doctor has been trying to gain control of my seizure with little luck. Every time I have a seizure, my doctors increase my prescription. What also isn't helping is the fact that I am yet to stop growing, despite the fact that I am 23. I am currently taking Tegratol XR and Depakote XR, totaling 2,300 mg of medication a day. I need to sleep for at least 12 hours every day, and my sex-drive is all but history. I keep attempting everything that I can to get me in the mood, but nothing completely does the job. I just recently purchased my first XXX film, hoping that watching it could possibly work me up, which I've never had to do before. Unfortunately that hasn't done much. I feel rather guilty because my wife wasn't much into sex when we first began dating; I primarily got her into it. Now she really likes what I always convinced her to do, and I'm no longer up for it. I'm quite sure that it is the medication, because I noticed it increase a great deal recently, when my doctor added another 500 mg to my daily prescription. I'm just lucky that my wife is currently in her last stage of her pregnancy, this is buying me some time. Nevertheless, I'm furious of how much this medication is effecting my work AND sex life. I'm just lucky that I have such a caring and understanding wife.

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.