Sexual dysfunction

 

Recommendations 6.31.1

A. Every patient should be asked, soon after discharge and at their 6-months and annual reviews, whether they have any concerns about their sexual functioning. Partners should additionally be given an opportunity to raise any problems they may have.

B.  Any patient who has a limitation on sexual functioning and who wants further help should:

• be assessed for treatable causes
• be reassured that sexual activity is not contraindicated after stroke and is extremely unlikely to precipitate a further stroke
• if suffering from erectile dysfunction, be assessed for the use of sildenafil or on equivalent drug
• avoid the use of sildenafil or equivalent drug for 3 months after stroke and until blood pressure is controlled
• be referred to a person with expertise in psychosexual problems if the problems remain unresolved

 

Sources 6.31.2

A. Consensus; Schmitz and Finkelstein 2010; Thompson and Ryan 2009

B. Consensus; Cheitlin et al 1999; Lorberboym et al 2010; Melnik et al 2007; Song et al 2011