To evaluate the prevalence and the etiology of the sexual dysfunctions in a group of epileptic outpatients, with particular regard to the role that psychological factors could carry out.

Male patients, between 18 and 55 years, followed at the Center for Cure and Diagnosis of Epilepsy of the University General Hospital of Messina were enrolled in the study.

All the patients were investigated to point out the social, economical, occupational and work-related conditions. Patients underwent Neurological and General examination, EEG, CT and/or MRI, hormonal dosage and Hamilton Depression Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Scale administration.

A “semi-structured” questionnaire and the short form of the SESAMO was performed to evaluate the sexual activity

Patients affected by symptomatic epilepsy due to progressive neurological disease, severe psychiatric conditions, mental retardation, complicated diabetes mellitus, endocrinological diseases were excluded from the study.

The prevalence of sexual dysfunctions will be compared to the one of a control group of healthy volunteers, matched for sex and age and coming from the same geographical area of the studied group.

Of the 15 patients (mean age 32 years) to date enrolled in our study, 3 were affected by retard ejaculation, 2 by premature ejaculation and 2 by erectile dysfunction. 6 patients were affected by mild depression

Moreover patients with uncontrolled seizures presented alteration in their affective and sexual area.

Even if many patients with good pharmacological control of the seizures report only minimal impairment of the sexual activity, others show important alterations in vital areas like sexual relations.