Some people find that anti-seizure medications can have side-effects that affect physical intimacy and their sex lives.
Sometimes medications can decrease your interest in sex which can also happen for other reasons, not just because of the anti-seizure medications.
Some medications can also cause tiredness, hair loss or weight changes, which can all affect self-image and self-esteem.
If you are worried about this and you feel comfortable talking to your doctor, ask about it. Your doctor may not have all the answers but at least you should be given some reliable information or referred to a counsellor.
Finding the right balance of seizure control and side-effects can be a challenge. Stopping medications due to frustrating side-effects might feel like a short term solution but this is dangerous and can cause severe and life-threatening seizures if you stop medication suddenly without medical advice.
Not all problems are caused by unwanted medication side effects – sometimes the impact of seizures on you physically and emotionally can contribute to intimacy problems as well.
If you are worried about having a seizure when being intimate with your partner, this can also contribute to having problems with sexual intimacy. That is, the more worried you become, the more likely you are to be focusing on what you are worrying about then enjoying the intimate moments with your partner. This can contribute to what is referred to as performance anxiety.
If you are finding difficulties with intimacy it may not exclusively be medications, it can also be due to:
- changes in the brain that may affect sexual arousal and desire
- changes in hormone levels, which may be due to medication or brain changes
- fear or anxiety about having a seizure during sex
Can having sex trigger a seizure?
It is rare that sex will trigger a seizure; although it does occasionally happen, mostly it is just a coincidence.
However, an intimate partner needs to know what to do if a seizure happens – in the bedroom or anywhere else!
Speaking to someone
People may find it helpful to talk with a counselor or therapist about any concerns they have around epilepsy and sex. People may want to do this individually or with their partner.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) may help reduce feelings of anxiety, anger, or depression in people with epilepsy.
