Don't let epilepsy ruin your marriage
Research has established that epileptics suffer sexual problems but are often ashamed to discuss it with their partners. These problems, in some cases, are triggered by epilepsy medication while others are a result of conditions related to epilepsy.
Research has established that epileptics suffer sexual problems but are often ashamed to discuss it with their partners. These problems, in some cases, are triggered by epilepsy medication while others are a result of conditions related to epilepsy. Elizabeth Namazzi asked Dr. Edward Ddumba about sexuality and epilepsy
Martin, (not real name), was living with epilepsy long before he got married. Fortunately, he told his wife about his condition soon after they met, so she knew what she was getting into when she agreed to marry him.
Not long into their marriage, she noticed that he had sexual problems. That, naturally, interfered with their intimacy.
A proud traditional man, Martin was not willing to discuss his sexual problems with his wife, a fact that frustrated her beyond measure. His biggest problem was that he could not sustain an erection for long.
Although she was sexually starved, she lost interest in the sex. This, plus his erectile dysfunction issues affected Martin’s self-esteem as a man. He started having an affair with the housemaid to prove himself, although this did not help his marriage. Later, when his angry wife raised the matter before close relatives, Martin said he was forced to sleep with the maid to prove that he was ‘man enough.’ “My wife denies me sex,” he claimed, forcing her to tell the relatives everything.
Expert view
Q Does everyone with epilepsy have sexual difficulties?
A Sexual problems are common in the general population and are not limited to epilepsy patients only. It is, however, important to appreciate that epileptics suffer from stigma and may lack self-confidence and this may affect sexual performance. The anti-epileptic drugs may also cause sedation, which may affect performance.
Could sex trigger a seizure?
Yes it can, depending on the circumstances under which it is done and whether the patient has used alcohol in excess of what he or she can handle. There is an association between temporal epilepsy and desire for sex, which can get out of control.
How should partners deal with this?
The partner should know as much about epilepsy as possible and be conversant with the first aid assistance given to anyone having an epileptic attack. Safety is of paramount importance in such a situation. The patient must be removed from all dangerous objects and positioned on the side to improve on the airway access.
Can emotional closeness and intimacy help to control epileptic attacks?
Yes it can because it makes the partner much happier.
Do all epileptics have a lower sexual desire?
There is no proof that this is true for all epileptics. Individual cases can be related to the type of epilepsy and the drugs the patient is using.
Which epileptic is likely to get sexual problems?
Men with more severe disease on several drug combinations and are older in age, say pentagenarians or people who are 50 years and above.
Is it such men that have problems in maintaining an erection?
Again this will depend on the individual patient. Other conditions that are known to cause impotence like diabetes should be looked for. The drug regimen should also be checked especially if it is causing undue sedation. The doctor should be contacted for advice.
What should epileptics do to avoid sexual problems?
The type of epilepsy one has should be correctly diagnosed because medications do vary according to the specific type of epilepsy. Avoid alcohol, have a balanced diet with fruits and vegetables, have regular exercise and live positively.
Some epileptic women complain about painful sex. What causes that and how can it be avoided?
Sex is a process and should be allowed to progress to full excitation to allow adequate lubrication to take place. Foreplay is useful to increase desire.
Is there an alternative to anti-epileptic medication that will cause less sexual problems?
This should be discussed with your doctor to optimise medications and lifestyle modifications.
***********************
Ask the expert
What is epilepsy?
Epilepsy, also called a seizure, is caused by abnormal and excessive electrical activity within brain cells. This can lead to sudden change in brain function manifesting as a physical convulsion, altered mental state, thought disturbance and other combinations of signs and symptoms depending on which part of the brain is affected. Epilepsy by definition is a state of recurrent seizures.
Epilepsy can be classified as
Simple partial: consciousness is preserved, but the patient may exhibit abnormal motor, sensory or autonomic abnormalities
Complex partial: consciousness is impaired with abnormal movements or behaviours
Generalised: consciousness is lost right at the outset of the attack. This is often associated with tonic-clonic movements of the limbs, tongue biting and incontinence of urine.
What causes epilepsy?
Of all the patients presenting with epilepsy, only 33% will have a definite cause identified after investigations. In the majority of cases genetic/hereditary factors are thought to be causative. The causes depend on the age at which the seizures first appear.
Some of the causes of epilepsy include:
- Peri-natal and intra-natal conditions
-Infections of the nervous system
-High fever especially in children under five
-Hypoxic brain injury especially in infants
-Strokes
-Head injuries
-Eclampsia in pregnancy
-Thyroid disease
-Congenital brain malformations
-Genetic factors
-Metabolic and toxic conditions
-Alcohol withdrawal
-Withdrawal of sedating drugs
-Electrolyte abnormalities
Dr. Edward Ddumba Senior consultant neurologist, Nsambya Hospital
************************
Ignorance driving epilepsy patients to witchcraft
By Esther Namirimu
Clad in black jeans, a red T-shirt, black shoes, carrying a rucksack on his back and talking on the telephone while crossing Kampala Road from the Cairo bank side of the road to Bank of Uganda, a young man suddenly falls down in a bout of seizures.
Those near him run away in fear. Fortunately, the traffic is not fast moving, so he is not in danger of being run over. One old man tells everyone not to touch the young man. “He has epilepsy, so you might get it if you touch him,” he warns.
One man who knows about the first aid for epileptic victims says: “Give him space because he needs to breathe,” as he turns the young man over. “Can someone help me carry this man to the car?” He asks, but everyone is reluctant.
One woman swears she knows a witchdoctor who can treat epilepsy. “Epilepsy,” she explains, “is caused by witchcraft. Bad people bewitch others by putting lizards in their head, so whenever this lizard moves, the victim gets seizures.”
Another lady refutes this, adding that she knows a pastor who can heal an epileptic person through prayer.
Ignorance about epilepsy
Obviously, many people lack information on epilepsy. The Epilepsy Support Association recently conducted a study of 356 epilepsy patients in Mbarara, which indicated that close to 80% of them first consulted a traditional healer before going to hospital.
Augustine Mugarura, the director of the Epilepsy Support Association of Uganda, says many people still believe epilepsy is caused by witchcraft. About 3.4% of Ugandans are suffering from epilepsy with limited access to medication.
However, Mugarura says, patients and their families spend millions of shillings looking for a cure for the disease, totally ignoring treatment available in Uganda.
Challenges
According to Mugarura, epilepsy has been fueled by poor access to medical care and lack of awareness about epilepsy. He notes that besides poor medical attention the Government has failed to recruit epilepsy specialists to add to the existing four.