Changes in attention and concentration may derail the ability to sustain sexual interest, which can create feelings of confusion, guilt, and rejection. This is an underdiagnosed symptom that can potentially cause significant misunderstanding and emotional distress in a relationship. These negative feelings can increase the distractibility, or lead the person to avoid sex altogether.

Attention/concentration problems tend to be worse when a person is fatigued, so evaluating the person's fatigue level and compensating accordingly are vitally important. In general, minimizing non-romantic or non-sexual stimuli and maximizing sensual and sexual stimulation during sex is the strategy for compensating. Using multi-sensory stimulation, including talking in sexy ways, sensual and erotic touching, and playing romantic music can help minimize this problem. Briefly switching from erotic to non-erotic touching when the partner with MS loses focus can create an atmosphere of acceptance and ease the couple back into erotic sexuality.