Brain & Nervous System Parkinson's Disease Living With Sexual Side Effects of Parkinson's Disease By Patrick McNamara, PhD Patrick McNamara, PhD, is an associate professor of neurology and the director of the Evolutionary Neurobehavior Laboratory. Learn about our editorial process Patrick McNamara, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sarah Rahal, MD on November 27, 2019 linkedin Sarah Rahal, MD, is a double board-certified adult and pediatric neurologist and headache medicine specialist. Learn about our Medical Review Board Sarah Rahal, MD Updated on December 05, 2019 Print Along with the general sexual symptoms, Parkinson's disease can cause, it can also affect men and women differently. In addition, medication can cause side effects that affect sex drive (some drugs increase sex drive while others decrease it). Paul Bradbury / Getty Images Let's take a look at these issues and how to cope with them: Parkinson's Effect on Men and Sex Drive Men with Parkinson’s disease may experience difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection during sexual intercourse. Abnormalities in the function of the autonomic system may be one contributing cause of erectile dysfunction in men with PD. Erectile dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease can also be directly related to the low dopamine levels of the brain. Other common disorders related to aging like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol can also contribute to erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil can sometimes help with erectile dysfunction. Testosterone replacement therapy may also help with both erections and desire. Women and PD Common sexual issues in women with Parkinson's disease include loss of lubrication and involuntary urination during sex. Sex can be uncomfortable because of a lack of lubrication and desire. For women with PD who have experienced menopause, the decline in sexual interest may be due to both menopause and PD. Hormone replacement therapy may help women. An added side benefit is that such therapy sometimes helps to keep bones strong and flexible. Never, however, take any hormonal supplements without consulting with your doctor first. Sexual Effects of Parkinson’s Medications Sometimes persons with PD can experience a dramatic increase in sexual interest and activity. When dosages on some PD medications are too high it sometimes becomes more difficult (for some people) to control their impulses. These "impulse control disorders" may include too much spending, too much gambling and too much interest in sexual activity. It is very important for persons with PD to be aware that impulse control problems can sometimes occur when taking PD medications. At first signs of these issues, you should have your doctor adjust your medications. You do not want to spend your family’s savings on impulsive spending sprees, gambling junkets, or sexual improprieties. The medications most often related to impulse control problems are the dopamine agonists rather than levodopa per se. The good news is that impulse control problems appear to be '"dose-dependent," meaning that the unwanted behaviors go away when you reduce the dose. Ways to Circumvent What PD Throws at You Many questions crowd into the consciousness of an individual who has been diagnosed with PD—among them are questions about sex and your partner. Can I adequately satisfy the needs of this person I love? If I cannot correct this problem what will happen to our relationship? There are steps you can take to help alleviate your worries. Identify the root causes of the problem. If it is related to depression treat the depression, if it is related to a reduction in sex hormones, ask your doctor about hormone replacement therapy and so forth.Sometimes the root problem is the dose of PD medication you are on. Consult with your PD doctor about adjusting the dose.Engage in vigorous exercise whenever you can as it will improve physical stamina and mobility. It will also enhance hormone levels in some people.Participate in a series of physical therapy treatments as these improve mobility.Cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychotherapy may help to talk through worries, fears, and feelings of loss. Getting beyond these negative feeling may allow you to more fully enjoy the moment with your partner.You and your partner might consider taking a massage class together to find new ways to maintain intimacy while you are struggling with sexual dysfunction.Talking with your partner about what you are going through is usually a good idea as well. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Waters C and Smolowitz, J. (2005). Impaired sexual function. In: Parkinsons Disease and Nonmotor Dysfunction. RF Pfeiffer and I. Bodis-Wollmer (Eds), Humana Press, Totowa, New Jersey, pps 127-138.