According to a story from Medical Daily, a recent study found that male Parkinson’s disease patients that were sexually active tended to have less severe symptoms and slower disease progression compared to those that were not. The study did not find that women experienced the same benefit, however. The fact that the benefit does not apply to women suggests that they may have different symptoms compared to men or may also reflect the fact that women are less comfortable discussing their sex lives because of cultural attitudes.
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a type of long term, progressive, degenerative illness that affects the central nervous system. Symptoms tend to develop over a period of years and primarily affect the movement ability and mental state of the patient. The cause of Parkinson’s disease remains a mystery, although there are a number of risk factors that have been identified. These factors include head injuries, pesticide exposure, and certain genetic variants and mutations. About 15 percent of patients have a close relative with the disease, suggesting some genetic connection. Symptoms include slowed movements, poor coordination, trouble walking, shaking, stiffness, abnormal posture, depression, anxiety, inhibited thinking, hallucinations, and dementia. Treatment may involve a number of medications, rehabilitation, and surgical operations. Survival rate varies, but most patients survive around a decade after getting diagnosed. To learn more about Parkinson’s disease, click here.
About The Study
This two year study followed self reported monitoring of the sexual activity of 355 Parkinson’s disease patients and the research found that the greatest benefits were found among male patients who were in the early stages of the disease. The researchers say that this finding could help caregivers and physicians predict the progression of a patient’s disease and make critical decisions about treatment. All of the patients in the study, which included 117 females and 238 males, were considered to have early-stage disease.
While the study clearly suggests that male Parkinson’s disease patients can benefit from an active sex life, the study authors caution that more extensive and stringently controlled research will be necessary to draw more firm conclusions and also determine why women do not seem to benefit in the way that men do.
