Sexuality and Intimacy in MS - Part 2 Female Sexuality

Many symptoms of MS are invisible while others are painfully obvious. All can impact on quality of life and sense of wellbeing. While life changes affect everyone, changes from MS can directly and indirectly affect sexuality. Successful management requires creativity, communication, and patience so that a person is able to maintain his or her sexual identity.

Whether a person is in an intimate relationship or not, it is a challenge to maintain a sexual identity and take care of one’s sexual self-esteem (how one feels about oneself as a sexual being) while dealing with a chronic illness such as MS

Female sexual dysfunction is very common in women with neurological conditions, including MS. The majority of women with MS suffer from sexual dysfunction at some stage of the condition. This is estimated to be as high as 80 per cent, compared to the general female population, in which only 20-50 percent of women are affected. Sexual dysfunction has a major impact on quality of life and interpersonal relationships. For many women it is a physically disquieting, emotionally disturbing and socially disruptive disorder. In spite of its high prevalence, these aspects of an individual’s wellbeing have been considerably neglected until recently, making female sexual dysfunction a very important but often overlooked

Symptoms most commonly reported include: • Reduced genital sensation (48); • Difficulty or inability reaching orgasm (72): • Reduced vaginal lubrication and difficulty with arousal (35).

Pain during intercourse is also a frequently reported symptom in women with MS, which may be due to vaginal dryness, spasticity or sensitivity.

Vaginal dryness and tightness

Vaginal lubrication may be compromised by MS. The best way to cope with vaginal dryness is to apply liberal amounts of water-based lubricants (e.g., K-Y® Jelly).

Oestrogen creams may be useful for women experiencing vaginal dryness, pain or burning. Another treatment is a vaginal suppository. Ask your GP or pharmacist about what is best for you.

Conclusion Sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent among women with MS. While identification, assessment and treatment of sexual problems can be embarrassing and complicated, addressing them is important. In this way you can identify and manage the symptoms that can have a negative impact on your personal life as well as that of your partner.

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Kath Ibbetson has MS and was diagnosed in 1995. She qualified as a pharmacologist and then worked in computerized drug databases for 12 years. She has a BSc, a diploma in aromatherapy and a certificate in counselling. Visit her blog at www.avo

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