Health Home > Depression > Sexual function and Parkinson's disease

Sexual function and Parkinson's disease

Healthwise
By Monica Rhodes

Did you find this helpful?

Rate this article:
100% of users found this article helpful.

Problems with sexual function in people with Parkinson's disease are common.

  • Muscle stiffness and movement may make sexual activity difficult.
  • Depression or anxiety may result in a loss of interest in sex or, in men, erection problems. These often can be improved by treatment with medication.
  • Parkinson's disease can affect the nerves that control the sexual organs. This may cause difficulty in getting or maintaining an erection and delayed ejaculation in men. It can affect arousal in both men and women.
  • Medications used to treat Parkinson's disease or other conditions may affect sexual function.

If you are having problems with sexual function, talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to help you pinpoint what is causing the difficulty. Sometimes changes in medication or exercise or treatment for depression may be all that is needed to solve these problems.

Credits

Author Monica Rhodes
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Last Updated December 8, 2008
Last Updated: 12/08/2008