Not everything you hear about sex and MS is true. Here is the truth behind some common myths:
Is MS caused by a sexually transmitted infection?
A publication in 2002 in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry stated that MS may be the result of a sexually transmitted infection. However, there is no direct scientific evidence to support this theory. In fact, there are many studies that disprove this statement. The best available research suggests that an increased risk of MS is passed on through a person's genes (family history), and then the condition is "triggered" by another environmental factor (other than a sexually transmitted infection).
Will MS make you infertile?
Fertility relates to a person's ability to have children. Having MS does not reduce fertility. Some men with MS may have "dry orgasms"
where they climax without ejaculating. This can affect fertility but does not make the man infertile, as the semen can often be collected and used for artificial insemination. Many people with MS find that they have sex less, often due to the physical and emotional effects of MS. This has an indirect effect on fertility, because you are less likely to conceive if you have sex less often.
Can having sex make my MS worse?
Having sex will not make your MS worse. In fact, satisfying sex may improve your overall well-being. Depending on the physical effects of MS, certain sexual activities may be safer and more enjoyable than others. Talk to your doctor or sex therapist about which sexual activities would be best for you.
Is it safe for women with MS to take birth control pills?
It is generally safe for women with MS to take birth control pills. Their age, whether they smoke, and their risk for breast cancer and blood clots are more important factors in deciding whether birth control pills are safe. All women should discuss the safety of birth control pills with their doctor based on their individual risks and benefits.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Sexuality-and-MS-Questions-and-Answers
In many couples affected by MS, the partner without MS is a caregiver to the partner with the condition. This can change the sexual relationship in many ways. The partner without MS may find it hard to juggle between the roles of lover and caregiver. They may feel grief, anxiety, or depression as the partner with MS becomes ill. Caregivers get tired too, and the stress of working plus caring for their partner may make them feel too tired or drained for sex.
As time progresses, and the partner without MS becomes even more of a caregiver, they may stop thinking sexually about their partner. If the partner with MS is extremely dependent and cannot function on their own, the other person may even feel guilty about wanting to have sex with them. The caregiver must also adapt to the MS partner's changing body image and abilities. This can be hard in a society that doesn't provide many "sexy" role models with disabilities.
Here are a few tips for people caring for a partner with MS:
- Take some time for yourself. Being a caregiver is tiring and stressful, and you deserve a break now and then. Ask family and friends for help, or talk to your MS society about respite care. Giving yourself some "recovery time" can help improve your energy and prevent you from feeling resentful of your partner.
- Talk to your partner about how you are feeling, and how you can work together to develop a "new normal" sexual relationship that will be satisfying to you both.
- Develop specific signals or rituals that separate sex from caregiving. This will help you balance your roles as lover and caregiver.
- Join a support group for partner/caregivers of people with MS. You can meet new people, share your experiences, and learn from the experiences of others.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Sexuality-and-MS-Questions-and-Answers
Having MS can often lead to trouble in getting and keeping an erection. This is also known as erectile difficulties. The first and most important step in dealing with erectile difficulties is to talk to your partner and your doctor. Depending on your health, there are a number of different options. A possible solution is taking a medication for erectile difficulties, such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil. These medications work by increasing blood flow to the penis. Some people cannot use these medications because of medical conditions, allergies, side effects, or other medications they are taking.
Another type of erection medication is alprostadil, which is applied directly into the penis by injection or as an inserted pellet. Instead of working on the blood vessels the way sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil do, alprostadil relaxes specific muscles in the penis to produce an erection. This may lead to medications that can safely be used in people who cannot take other erection medications.
Common sexual problems for women with MS include decreased desire, problems with lubrication, and reduced sensation. Medications for erectile difficulties that are effective for men have not been proven to work in women. Another area that has been studied is using testosterone treatments to improve sex drive in women. Testosterone is a hormone that is thought to increase sexual desire, but is not approved or recommended for sexual problems in women.
More research is needed for MS-related sexual issues. Many new treatments for sexual problems have been studied in the general population, but not specifically in people with MS, so it is not known whether they will be equally effective for them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Sexuality-and-MS-Questions-and-Answers
MS will change your sex life. There are 2 ways to deal with this – to back away from sex, or to face the sexual challenges of MS and find a "new normal" that will give you and your partner the satisfaction you need. Just because you have MS, it doesn't mean that your sexual desires will go away or become inappropriate. In fact, keeping up a good sex life can help your overall well-being. Here are some ideas for coping with the sex-related challenges posed by MS:
- Fatigue: The best way to deal with fatigue is to choose a time for sex when you are at your highest energy level. For many people, this is in the morning or early afternoon. You can also try to raise your energy level using moderate exercise and healthy eating.
- Lower sex drive: To help increase your level of desire, think about what makes you feel sexy. Do the things that turn you on, and tell your partner about them. Experiment with and talk to your partner to find what works for you as a couple. Body mapping is an exercise in discovering areas of change, numbness, discomfort, and pleasure. Rediscover the fun of flirting - you may need more than before to get to the same level of desire. If lack of desire is still a problem, speak to your doctor or health care provider.
- Trouble getting an erection: A number of options are available to help improve erections. Some men with MS find that manual stimulation before sex can be useful. If this doesn't work, talk to your doctor about other treatment options.
- Vaginal dryness or trouble having an orgasm: Many women with MS experience these problems. Using water-based lubricants can help with vaginal dryness. To make it easier to have an orgasm, try Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles. Stimulation manually or with vibrators may also help.
- Bowel or bladder control problems: To avoid an accident during sex, empty your bowels and bladder beforehand. You may also want to lay down a towel or old sheet in case some leakage occurs. Keeping a sense of humor, and being aware that this may happen, can help deal with this situation.
It's normal to feel a sense of anger or loss because of the sexual effects of MS. However, there are many different ways to get sexual pleasure other than the ones you may be used to. By communicating openly and honestly with your partner and health professional, you can find a new ways to have a great sex life!
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Sexuality-and-MS-Questions-and-Answers
