Arthritis and Sex
From Encyclopedia of Sex and Sexuality
Many diseases are included under the general term of arthritis and rheumatism. They may all have similar symptoms—possibly a recurrent fever which can be symptomatic of internal organ involvement. To varying degrees, patients may have joint and muscularskeletal symptoms, resulting in pain and limitation of joint movement.
If someone is not feeling well, he or she will not have much interest in sex. Desire usually increases proportionately to the lessening of a person’s discomfort. No study has suggested that sexual activity has any effect on an arthritic or rheumatic patient’s medical situation. It is important to reassure patients that if they do feel desire, sexual activity will have no adverse effects on their physical condition.
The key to a satisfying sex life for an arthritic/rheumatic individual lies in flexibility of attitude, approach, and schedule. It is important to remember that the situation varies from person to person. Therefore, the patient should not be made to feel that there is a right or wrong way to approach sex or that they must be like the next person. For instance, patients may have periods during which they are relatively free of symptoms and discomfort. This may vary with time of day, and it may be necessary to adjust sexual activity to the afternoon or midday if that is when they feel best.
The joints involved with arthritis may influence the positions and activities that persons find most comfortable. Obviously, any sexual activity that causes more pain should be avoided. At times, sexual gratification may be achieved more readily by methods other than intercourse—mutual masturbation, cunnilingus, or fellatio. An understanding partner open to experimentation is most helpful in terms of sparing discomfort and maximizing pleasure. Frank, open discussion should be encouraged between the patient and his or her partner about which activities are most pleasurable and cause the least discomfort. Since it is extremely difficult for the partner to guess the intensity of the patient’s pain, the patient should describe what he or she feels and suggest appropriate sexual activities. The patient can also take a mild, short-acting analgesic or anti-inflammatory medication, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, an hour before sexual activity. In some cases, this will be sufficient to avoid potential discomfort during love-making.
If arthritic/rheumatic patients can manage some satisfying sexual activity, their mood will generally be better and their outlook more positive. The attitude with which they cope with their disability is most likely to improve as well. There is no reason why, with flexibility on the part of both patient and partner, the pair cannot achieve a mutually satisfying sexual relationship, even with severe arthritis or rheumatism.
