As discussed in other articles on this site, multiple sclerosis can be very damaging to your sex life. Common sexual side effects include a decrease in sexual interest and libido, among others. Many males with multiple sclerosis suffer from erectile dysfunction and it is common for females to have vaginal dryness. Muscle fatigue, spasms and difficulty with movement can make the physical act of sex difficult for many people with MS, especially those in the advanced stages. The good news is that as the disease progresses it doesn’t mean that your sexual symptoms will progress as well. It is very important to maintain a healthy sex life if you are in a romantic or long-term relationship and for MS sufferers it is no different. Just because someone has physiological changes due to a disease it doesn’t mean they should be discounted sexually.
It is common for multiple sclerosis sufferers to have feelings of sexual inadequacy because they have lost sexual function in one way or another. But, sex is a multi-faceted issue! Multiple sclerosis shouldn’t be an excuse to no longer pursue sexual gratification whether it’s you that has MS or your partner. This just means it’s time to re-imagine sex as a couple. Sex serves many functions in a relationship and even though one partner may have MS, a couple can still enjoy sharing the intimacy of sexual contact. This intimacy may also work wonders for the MS patient by alleviating the feelings of inadequacy or loneliness associated with this debilitating disease. Sexual contact is also an opportunity for the partner without MS to fully express their love and acceptance of their partner. With open communication and a willingness to be inventive by both parties, a new and wonderful sexual relationship can be possible for both partners.
Many sex therapists, through a technique known as body mapping, can show couples how to find new ways for partners to stimulate each other if traditional erogenous zones are no longer as sensitive. Through experimentation, couples can find new sexual positions that can accommodate spastic legs or other physical limitations caused by multiple sclerosis. Sex toys like vibrators can also be helpful to stimulate parts of the body that are difficult or as a fun way to introduce new ways of pleasing both partners. For male MS sufferers, there are many treatments available for erectile dysfunction including intracavernous pharmacotherapy which can help men achieve an erection after a painless injection into penile tissue.
There are many ways to reinvent your sex life if multiple sclerosis has entered your relationship. Remember, sex is a journey between two people and it isn’t just about achieving orgasm. Intimate touching and closeness can be very fulfilling to both partners and can help bring a couple dealing with multiple sclerosis even closer. Love is all about taking risks, communication and acceptance. If you take these ideas and combine them with some fun experimentation, you may find that you can have a happy, healthy and erotic sex life.
