Anticonvulsant drugs effects on sex hormone levels and sexual function in men with epilepsy

Abstract

Aim: Sexual dysfunction is common in patients with epilepsy. The aim of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effect of anticonvulsant drugs on hormonal and sexual function in men with epilepsy. Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with epilepsy were divided into three groups of 23 subjects who received monotherapy with sodium valproate, carbamazepine and levetiracetam, respectively. Findings: At the beginning of the study, sexual function and sexual hormones were comparable between the control group and the patient group (p > 0.05). After 6 months of treatment, patients who received sodium valproate had the weakest sexual function. Conclusion: According to the present findings, levetiracetam appears to be a good choice for sexually active patients compared with other conventional anticonvulsants.