Abstract

Objective: Vertigo represents a chronic and disabling disorder that is often associated with anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, and prolonged medication use, factors that may collectively contribute to impaired sexual function. Sexual health is rarely addressed in vestibular clinics. We aimed to quantify sexual dysfunction in adults with chronic vertigo using the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) and to compare outcomes with healthy controls.

Methods: We performed a prospective case–control study of 30 consecutive outpatients with chronic vertigo (mean age 37.8 years; 57% female) and 30 age- and sex-matched volunteers. Participants completed the ASEX, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Between-group differences in ASEX total and item scores were analysed with t-tests or Mann–Whitney U tests. Sexual dysfunction was defined as ASEX ≥19. Multivariable logistic regression tested whether vertigo status predicted sexual dysfunction after adjustment for depressive symptoms and sleep quality.

Results: Vertigo patients showed significantly worse global sexual function than controls (ASEX total 16.9±5.1 vs 11.8±3.7; p<0.001). Clinical sexual dysfunction occurred in 43% of patients and 13% of controls (p=0.007). The five domains of ASEX: drive, arousal, lubrication/erection, ability to reach orgasm and satisfaction were significantly worse in the group with vertigo (all p≤0.005). Patients had higher PHQ-9and GAD-7 scores (both p<0.001). Vertigo was an independent predictor of sexual dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio ≈ 4.0; p<0.01).

Conclusion: Adults with chronic vertigo suffer from a significantly increased burden of SD. The ASEX is a usefulscreening instrument. Health care professionals should seek information about sexual health and modifiablecontributors such as mood, sleep, and medications.

Keywords: Arizona Sexual Experience Scale, dizziness, sexual dysfunction, quality of life, vertigo

Copyright and license

Copyright © 2026 The Author(s). This is an open-access article published by Bolu İzzet Baysal Training and Research Hospital under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

How to cite

1.
Toprak SF, Dedeoğlu S, Dönmezdil S, Sırma E. Sexual dysfunction in vertigo patients: a clinical assessment using Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale. Northwestern Med J. 2026;6(1):349-58. https://doi.org/10.54307/2026.NWMJ.228

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