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Hypersexual sensations and behavior in a multiple sclerosis exacerbation: a case report

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 16, pages 382–384 (2004)Cite this article

Hypersexual sensations and behavior are documented in a variety of neurologic disorders, including head trauma,1 Kluver Bucy syndrome,2 following neurosurgical procedures,3, 4 Parkinson's disease,5 and stroke.6 However, hypersexuality associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) is rare.7 The typical manifestation of a sexual dysfunction in MS is loss of libido, sexual arousal, or orgasmic capacity.8, 9, 10 We report on a woman with MS who experienced hypersexual feelings and behavior as part of an MS exacerbation.

A 51-year-old female elementary teacher with MS presented with a complaint of sudden onset increased libido and sexual activity. 10 days prior to this, she awoke, from a ‘gunshot’-type sound in her head. It was immediately followed by two other similar sounds, localized to above her left ear. Following these events, the patient's sexual appetite became insatiable. She was happily married for 25 y, reported a healthy sex life, but this behavior was completely atypical. After a few days of frequent intercourse, her husband was unable to keep up with her requests for sex. She masturbated frequently to relieve her sexual desire, and had never done so previously. Masturbation did not always result in orgasm, and it was generally not satisfying.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

    C C Yang

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

    B Severson

  3. Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

    J D Bowen

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  1. C C Yang
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  2. B Severson
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  3. J D Bowen
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Correspondence to C C Yang.

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Yang, C., Severson, B. & Bowen, J. Hypersexual sensations and behavior in a multiple sclerosis exacerbation: a case report. Int J Impot Res 16, 382–384 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901201

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901201

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