Tibial nerve stimulation may ease sexual dysfunction related to MS
Noninvasive treatment led to more sexual interest, better orgasms: Study
Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS), wherein mild electrical impulses are applied to the tibial nerve located near the ankle, may help with sexual dysfunction related to multiple sclerosis (MS) in both men and women, a study suggests.
The study, “Tibial nerve stimulation in the management of primary sexual dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis: a pilot randomized control trial,” was published in the journal Neurological Sciences.
Many people with MS experience some form of sexual dysfunction that prevents them from feeling pleasure from sexual activity. For men, this often means problems with getting or maintaining an erection, while women may have poor vaginal lubrication.
Both men and women with MS can also experience reduced sexual desire and difficulty achieving orgasm. Along with other common symptoms like fatigue and depression, sexual dysfunction can have a toll on intimacy and emotional wellness.
Stimulating tibial nerve may also help with bladder control
TTNS is a noninvasive procedure where mild electrical impulses are applied to the tibial nerve, which is connected to the pelvic region, where it helps muscles contract. Stimulating the tibial nerve is safe for people with MS who have an overactive bladder and may help with bladder control, which is closely linked to sexual function.
Now, a team of researchers in Greece tested whether TTNS could also help with sexual dysfunction in people with a definitive diagnosis of MS.
The study included 40 adult patients who were randomly divided into two groups: one group received TTNS, while the other received a sham treatment that did not involve real nerve stimulation. The two groups were similar in terms of sex, age (range of 18-45 years), and disease severity. The participants identified as white, cisgender, and heterosexual, except for one who identified as homosexual. All patients attended three weekly sessions over the course of two months, with each session lasting 20 minutes.
Their sexual function was evaluated before and after treatment using the MS Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ-15), which rates how MS interferes with sexual activity or satisfaction. The questionnaire specifically assesses three domains of sexual dysfunction: primary sexual dysfunction, or that directly caused by nerve damage from MS, secondary sexual dysfunction, which is caused by MS-related changes such as fatigue that indirectly affect sexual response, and tertiary sexual dysfunction, or disability-related issues such as depression or lowered self-esteem that can interfere with sexual feelings and sexual response.
TTNS demonstrated significant improvement in the following domains: erectile function, vaginal lubrication, orgasm quality, satisfaction, bladder-related symptoms, and sexual desire.
Results showed, after two months, patients who received TTNS had significant improvements their total MSISQ-15 scores. Certain domains of primary sexual dysfunction, namely sexual interest and intensity or pleasure experienced from orgasms, were also significantly better after the treatment. Men in the TTNS group had better erectile function after two months of treatment, while women experienced better vaginal lubrication.
Additionally, there was an improvement in bladder control, which is linked to secondary sexual dysfunction. In contrast, patients who received the sham treatment showed only a slight increase in sexual desire, with no changes in bladder control.
“TTNS demonstrated significant improvement in the following domains: erectile function, vaginal lubrication, orgasm quality, satisfaction, bladder-related symptoms, and sexual desire,” the researchers wrote. “These results underscore the importance of exploring novel therapeutic approaches that can positively impact not only physical symptoms, but also emotional and psychological aspects related to sexual health in patients with MS.”
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