Assessing bladder, bowel and sexual symptoms: a neurologist’s guide
Symptoms related to bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction are common in patients with neurological diseases and are associated with significant morbidity and impacts on quality of life. However, compared with other neurological problems, they are often less visible, under-ascertained and under-treated. This review aims to provide neurologists with an evidence-based, structured approach to evaluating bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction in patients with neurological disorders. As with any other presenting concern, this requires a structured approach to history, examination and the judicious use of investigations.
Authors
- Stephen Bacchi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5130-8628)
- Tamara Kaplan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6262-6960)
- Jessica Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7940-2048)
- Jalesh N. Panicker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5190-3259)
- Liam G. McCoy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4468-2256)
Institutions
- Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- University of Alberta (CA)
- Lyell McEwin Hospital (AU)
- Flinders Medical Centre (AU)
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (GB)
- University College London (GB)
- The University of Adelaide (AU)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Practical Neurology
- Published
- 2025-12-03
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1136/pn-2025-004611
- Primary Topic
- Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00