[Sexual dysfunction in migraine patients who receive preventive treatment: identification by means of two screening tests].

INTRODUCTION: Sexual dysfunctions are one of the most important problems affecting sexual health and are associated with low levels of quality of life.

AIM: To assess the sexual functioning in migraine patients and the sexual dysfunction that can be attributed to its preventive treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients attended in the headache units of two general hospitals who visited for the first time after being prescribed preventive treatment. They answered the Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (MGH-SFQ) and the Psychotropic-Related Sexual Dysfunction Questionnaire (SALSEX).

RESULTS: The sample used in the study consisted of 79 patients (17 males, 62 females) aged 37.6 ± 9.1 years (range: 19-57 years), 31 (39.2%) of them with chronic migraine. As preventive treatment, 23 (29.1%) received beta blockers; 42 (53.2%) neuromodulators; 8 (10.1%), calcium antagonists; and 6 (7.6%), antidepressants. The MGH-SFQ detected diminished overall sexual satisfaction that was at least moderate in 24 patients (30.4%). SALSEX showed changes in sexual functioning that was attributable to the preventive treatment in 36 cases (45.5%), which only exceptionally appeared spontaneously. In patients with at least moderate dysfunction on the MGH-SFQ, the mean ages at the time of testing, the number of days with pain per month and the excessive use of medication for their symptoms were all higher (53.3% versus 46.7%; p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: Simple sexual dysfunction screening tests often detect sexual dysfunctions in patients with migraine on preventive treatment and changes in their sex life that can be attributed to these drugs.