Introduction <p>Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) has so far primarily been used for the treatment of overactive bladder, idiopathic pelvic pain, nonobstructive urine retention and fecal incontinence. At the same time effects were also observed on various components of sexual function. Sexual function as the primary outcome parameter of SNS has so far not been investigated. Sexual function disorders have a high prevalence and substantially influence the quality of life. The treatment for both sexes takes into consideration the sexual appetence, sexual arousal, the experience of orgasm, for women the lubrication and for men the erection.</p> Method <p>The Healthcare Databases Advanced Search (HDAS) platform was used for a systematic literature search. The search machines Medline, EMBASE and CINHAL were used and only publications in international journals which employ a peer review procedure were considered.</p> Results <p>The search identified 18 studies that included a total of 710 women and 40 men in whom possible effects of SNS on sexual function were determined during the application for other indications. For the female sex there were indications of a clear improvement of sexual function. Due to the very poor data situation for the male sex similar effects could so far only be assumed. In any case, it remains unclear if this relates to primary or secondary effects of the SNS.</p> Discussion <p>The SNS influences bladder emptying, bladder continence, pelvic pain and fecal continence and emptying. The direct anatomical and physiological relationship of these organ systems as well as sexual function lead to the question of whether there is a primary effect of the SNS on sexual function. High quality studies with the primary endpoint sexual function should be carried out to examine this.</p>