Mindy L. Aisen – författare

Leading specialists comprehensively review the state-of-the-art for evaluating and managing the sexual and reproductive dysfunction experienced by men and women suffering chronic neurologic disease. Aside from dealing with such specific neurologic diseases as stroke multiple sclerosis spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury these distinguished authorities also consider developmental disabilities in children neuromuscular diseases in adolescence and diseases of the peripheral nerve. They also include in their review a discussion of the latest thinking about the physiology of male and female sexual and reproductive responses the role of the menstrual cycle in neurologic disease and neurologic problems in the geriatric population.

This well-written text thoroughly addresses two quality of life issues in patients with a variety of neurological disorders: sexual and reproductive function. The de vasta stating effects of a variety of neurological diseases are well known to both the lay and medical communitIes, and are treated in numerous texts. However, as we continue to experience therapeutic breakthroughs in the tields of neurology and rehabilitation medicine, physicians and patients must become more aware of the issues discussed in this text. It is particularly important, as emphasized throughout the chapters, that the physician or therapist initiate conversations with the patients concerning both the possibility of parenting a child, as well as the ability of the patient to enhance his/her sexual functioning. Commonly in the patient who is otherwise perfectly normal, there is a reluctance to discuss these topics and couples often feel embarrassed to initiate a conversation with their physi­ cians. This reluctance to initiate a discussion is even more apparent in patients with a variety of neurological disorders, in which there are overriding fears concerning both function and survival, as well as deep concerns about their own attractiveness, and their sexual and repro­ ductive ability.