Effectiveness of Sexual Counseling Using Better Model to Promote Sexual Function and Satisfaction of Married Women With Multiple Sclerosis Publisher



Ghafoori F^{1, 2} ; Bagheri M³ ; Dehghannayeri N⁴ ; Khakbazan Z¹ ; Haghani H⁵ ; Hedayatnejad M⁶ ; Samadaeegelehkolaee K^{1, 7} Show Affiliations
Source: Sexuality and Disability Published:2022

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is a common concern in women with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aims to assess the effect of counseling based on the BETTER model (Bring up, Explain, Tell resources, Time, Educate, and Record) on sexual function and satisfaction in married women with MS. This randomized clinical trial included 72 married women between the ages of 18–49 years from the MS Society of Iran. The data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the Index of Sexual Satisfaction (ISS) at three points in time. The intervention involved the use of the BETTER model-based counseling approach with married women during four weekly sessions. The control group received routine care. The results of the analysis showed that the mean of FSFI for the women in the intervention group improved at 8 and 12 weeks after the counseling compared to the control group (p < 0.001). However, a significant difference was not observed between the mean score of ISS among the women in the intervention group compared to the control group (p = 0.06). These results suggest that intervention based on the BETTER model counseling can significantly improve the sexual function of married women with MS. However, in order to improve the sexual satisfaction of these women multidisciplinary interventions are also recommended. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.