[Influence of neurological diseases on partnership and sexuality. Particularly in view of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease]

Abstract

A great number of neurological diseases exert a direct impact on sexuality, due to lesions in the central and peripheral nervous system and due to different neurological symptoms and their treatment (for example medication). The psychosocial basic needs for acceptance, intimacy, and security, which can be best fulfilled by sexual communication, attain essential importance in the situation of disease-induced helplessness. This implies that not only the experience of sexual pleasure and the functioning of reproduction can be influenced, but the partnership, too. A holistic treatment approach always requires the consideration of partnership aspects.