Comparing the effect of sodium valproate and carbamazepine on sexual function satisfaction in men with epilepsy in Hamadan city

Background and Objective: Although antiepileptic drugs have controlled the epilepsy attacks substantially, the side-effects are still considered as a problem to the patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of sodium valproate and carbamazepine on sexual function in men with epilepsy. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study 35 male married epileptic patients with the history of taking carbamazepine for at least one year and 35 other male married patients using sodium valproate for at least one year have been participated. Both groups' sexual activity information has been evaluated by international index of erectile questionnaire. This fifteen question survey has investigated men's sexual activity in 5 fields such as erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction. Each question has 5 scores at most and the total score of the survey comes to 75.The results have been analyzed by Chi-Square and Mann-Whitney U tests using the statistical software SPSS (ver.16.0). Results: The average of total gained scores in sodium valproate takers was more than carbamazepine takers (51.68, 53.42) but there was no significant difference (p=0.582). Twenty-five sodium valproate takers (48.1%) and twenty-seven carbamazepine takers (51.9%) had erectile function disorder but there was no significant difference (p=0.584). The sodium valproate group average scores in all sexual activity fields except sexual desire was more than carbamazepine group but there was significant difference regarding only sexual desire. Conclusion: Sexual activity disorders in men with epilepsy, especially erectile disorder were highly prevalent and also the result showed that patients who take sodium valproate had better status than carbamazepine takers regard to sexual activities except sexual desire.