Efficacy of Neuromodulation Interventions for the Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objectives: The primary aim of this review was to analyze the literature for the efficacy of neuromodulation interventions in treating both male and female sexual dysfunction.

Materials and methods: Studies were identified from PubMed, Scopus, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and Cochrane. Results were synthesized qualitatively without pooling owing to the heterogeneous nature of outcome assessments.

Results: Overall findings from studies generally supported that neuromodulation interventions were associated with improvement in sexual function. Specific domains that improved in male patients included erectile function, desire, and satisfaction, whereas desire, arousal, orgasm, lubrication, quality of "sex life," intercourse capability, and dyspareunia improved in female patients. Male ejaculation, orgasm, and intercourse capability were the only domains that continued to decline after the use of neuromodulation interventions, although this was only reported in one study.

Conclusion: Our review suggests that there may be promise and potential utility of neuromodulation in improving sexual dysfunction; however, further research is needed.

Keywords: Neuromodulation; peripheral nerve stimulation; review; sexual dysfunction; spinal cord stimulation.