Sexual Disturbances in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A Controlled Study

Abstract

Seventy cases each of temporal lobe epilepsy and grand mal epilepsy were studied for their sexual functioning. The two groups were similar as regards age, sex, duration of illness, frequency of seizures and menstrual and marital history. A significantly greater number of temporal lobe epileptics were found to be hyposexual. They had a global loss of performance and interest in the sexual sphere and showed no concern over it. One case in the group of temporal lobe eiplepsy, as against none in the other group, was hypersexual. There were no cases of sexual deviations in either of the groups. The findings of the study are discussed in the light of the relevant literature.