Relationships, sex and epilepsy

Relationships

Many people with epilepsy have no problem in relationships. But you are not alone if you find managing relationships with your epilepsy hard.

More than a third of people with epilepsy think the impact it’s had on their relationships is the most challenging thing about their epilepsy.

New relationships

There is no right or wrong time to tell someone you have epilepsy when starting a new relationship. Some people find it easiest to be open about it straight away, and some need more time.

Telling your partner how epilepsy impacts you can help them support and understand you. Encourage them to ask questions so they know as much as possible.

It can also be useful to talk to someone other than your partner about your epilepsy.

Supporting a partner with epilepsy

Supporting someone with epilepsy can include anything from driving them to places, reminding them to take their medication or listening to their worries.

As the partner of someone with epilepsy you might find it useful to have someone else to talk to about your fears or concerns.

Epilepsy Action’s helpline is there for anyone affected by epilepsy, including partners, friends and family.

Other resources

NHS Relationship Counselling

Health Talk – information and different people’s experiences around relationships and how their epilepsy has affected this part of their lives.

Treating sexual problems

Problems with sex can have a big impact on your quality of life. If you have any worries about your sex drive or your ability to have sex, you are not alone. A treatment can be found for most people with sexual problems. It’s worth talking to your GP. They can do an assessment to look at the possible causes and advise you about things that could help.

These might include:

• Making lifestyle changes
• Taking medicine to help with the problem
• Making changes to existing medicines or contraception you are using
• Talking therapies such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Your GP can refer you to an epilepsy specialist for further advice if they think your problems are linked to your epilepsy or medicines. If it is safe to do so, your specialist may suggest making changes to your epilepsy medicine. It’s important not to make any changes to your epilepsy medicines without getting medical advice.

You can also access support and treatment for sexual health issues at a sexual health clinic. These can provide the same treatment you would get at your GP surgery. Many sexual health clinics offer a walk-in service.

You can search for a sexual health clinic near you or look for information about sexual problems on the NHS website.

If you become pregnant or are looking to get pregnant, we have information about pregnancy and fertility. Visit our page on epilepsy and starting a family, which has information for people of all genders.

Support and information

Epilepsy Action Helpline

Institute of Psychosexual Medicine (IPM)
Provides a list of IPM trained specialists, some working privately and some with the NHS.

NHS Sexual Health Services
Offers advice on finding sexual health clinics and counselling.

CALM
Information and advice about erectile dysfunction.

NHS Relationship Counselling

Find relationship counselling services near you.

Health Talk

Information and different people’s experiences around relationships and how their epilepsy has affected this part of their lives