FACT SHEET SEXUALITY, INTIMACY & CHRONIC ILLNESS Relationships and sexual satisfaction are important to quality of life. This is especially true for people coping with chronic illness. Sex is an act that can bring satisfaction and release. Even though ALS does not directly affect sexual function, for a person with ALS, sex may also bring pain, frustration and embarrassment. There are methods and techniques available to help people with ALS and their partners cope with their changing sex life and maintain intimacy. BENEFITS OF SEX SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE AND Chronic illness can restrict the activities of daily living. CHRONIC ILLNESS Maintaining a sexual relationship can be a source of com- Chronic illness can affect sexual satisfaction and the fort, pleasure and intimacy and an affirmation of one’s true sexual relationship for both partners. ALS does not impair self when other roles have been stripped away. A satisfying sexual function but medications, immobility, respiratory sex life, for the person with ALS and their partner, is one problems, fatigue and body image factors may negatively way to feel “normal” when so many other areas in their affect sexuality. lives have changed. Documented benefits of sex include the following: PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS • Orgasm frequency is inversely related to risk of death. • Reduction of stress. • Anxiety, loss of self-esteem, grief and depression • Improved sleep post-orgasm. associated with chronic illness may impair sexual • Increased relationship satisfaction and stability. fulfillment. • Chronic illness alters relationship dynamics. Partners EFFECTS OF ALS ON SEXUALITY become caregivers, as well as lovers. Role changes may Understanding the sexual response cycle is important to cause sexual activity to decrease. understanding the impact that chronic illness can have “Sexual health is the integration of the somatic, on sexual functioning. Sexual function or dysfunction is a emotional, intellectual and social aspects of sexual being, combination of physical (due to disease-specific changes or in ways that are positively enriching and that enhance medication or both) and psychosocial factors. Any illness personality, communication and love”. or treatment that affects these factors can have a negative - World Health Organization Report Series 572; impact on a person’s ability or desire to engage in sexual Geneva, 1975. activity. CYCLE PHASE FEATURES GENDER DIFFERENCES Physiological factors (neurotransmitters, androgens WOMEN: Touch, verbal stimuli and and sensory system) and a variety of environmen- relationship more important than climaxing. DESIRE tal stimuli (psychosocial and cultural factors) cause a MEN: Visual stimuli more important. person to initiate or be receptive to sexual activity. Parasympathetic nervous system and vascular WOMEN: Vaginal lubrication and system involved. Breathing becomes heavier, heart enlargement of clitoris. AROUSAL rate and blood pressure increase and an accumula- Men: Penile erection. tion of blood in the genital region occurs. Involves the parasympathetic nervous system & vas- WOMEN: Maximal vaginal lubrication PLATEAU cular system. Blood accumulation in the genitals at its and genital blood flow. peak and then levels off before orgasm. Generalized MEN: Distension of penis is at capacity. skeletal muscular tension and hypoventilation occur. Sympathetic nervous system and muscle tone are WOMEN: Contraction of uterus and affected. For both sexes, there is heightened ORGASM orgasmic platform. excitement to a peak of subjective pleasure. A MEN: Ejaculation. release of sexual tension ensues. The body returns to pre-excitement phase. WOMEN: Ready to return to orgasm with RESOLUTION slow loss of genital blood accumulation. MEN: Penis returns to flaccid state Cont. on next page PROVINCIAL OFFICE ALS SOCIETY OF ALBERTA EDMONTON OFFICE #250 4723 1 STREET SW WWW.ALSAB.CA 5418 97 STREET NW CALGARY, AB T2G 4Y8 1-888-309-1111 EDMONTON, AB T6E 5C1 FACT SHEET SEXUALITY, INTIMACY & CHRONIC ILLNESS BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION • The effects and side effects of some medications can ASSOCIATED WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS reduce sexual desire and/or the ability to have intercourse REDUCED SEXUAL DESIRE or orgasm. • Reduced cardiovascular and pulmonary function, fatigue IMPAIRED SEXUAL AROUSAL or pain can limit sexual activity. • Erectile dysfunction in men. • Medical treatments may alter the person’s appearance • Lack of lubrication or dryness and coital discomfort in and bodily function. Psychological distress caused by these women. changes can limit sexual satisfaction. For instance, people • Lack of subjective pleasure. with ALS may feel less desirable if they are using a ventilator or have a feeding tube. ORGASMIC DYSFUNCTION • Delayed ejaculation or an inability to reach orgasm in SOCIAL EFFECTS men. • Difficulty reaching orgasm or inability to reach orgasm in • Society is uncomfortable with the idea of ill people women. wanting to have or having sex. • Change in orgasmic intensity. • Although sexual activity may be placed on hold intermittently during the illness, sex remains a vital part of PAINFUL INTERCOURSE, INCLUDING VAGINISMUS day-to-day living for some people with chronic illness. • Conditioned reflex of the muscles in which they clamp How can you keep your sex life healthy? Read about your shut. illness. Be informed. Know your body and what feels right • Penetration is extremely painful or impossible in your current state. PREPARING FOR SEXUAL ACTIVITY PREPARING FOR SEXUAL ACTIVITY • Plan sexual activity for the time of day when you have the • Plan sexual activity for the time of day when you have the most energy and your health problems are least intrusive. most energy and your health problems are least intrusive. • Be sure you are rested and relaxed. • Be sure you are rested and relaxed. • Wait at least two hours after eating to have sex. • Wait at least two hours after eating to have sex. • Take any required pain medication 30 minutes before • Take any required pain medication 30 minutes before sexual sexual activity. activity. • Alcohol and tobacco can affect sexual function. • Alcohol and tobacco can affect sexual function. • Reduce or stop taking medications that have a negative • Reduce or stop taking medications that have a negative impact on sexual functions before sexual activity (on the impact on sexual functions before sexual activity (on the advice of a physician). advice of a physician). BLADDER AND BOWEL PROBLEMS COMMUNICATION • Maintain good hygiene. • Develop a system for signalling desire and feedback during • Empty the bladder before sex. activity and direction. • Employ sexual positions that remove bladder pressure. • Prepare advance voice recordings for communication aids. • Decrease fluid intake two to three hours before sex. • Teach your partner how to use these aids while engaged in • Reposition the catheter to ensure proper function. sexual activity. • Use bladder medication 30 minutes prior to sexual intercourse. PROVINCIAL OFFICE ALS SOCIETY OF ALBERTA EDMONTON OFFICE #250 4723 1 STREET SW WWW.ALSAB.CA 5418 97 STREET NW CALGARY, AB T2G 4Y8 1-888-309-1111 EDMONTON, AB T6E 5C1 FACT SHEET SEXUALITY, INTIMACY & CHRONIC ILLNESS Spasticity during sex can be embarrassing, frustrating MAINTAINING A HEALTHY SEX LIFE and challenging, especially since sexual arousal itself • Try alternative ways to experience sex and sensuality. may cause spasms. Bathing in warm water prior to sexual Hold halds, hug, touch your partner and initiate physical activity may reduce spasticity and relax muscles and contact, even when you do not plan to have sex. ALS does joints. The relaxing effects of sex play can help to reduce not affect your sensory nerves. spasticity and allow for penetration, if desired, once • Use your senses to make sexual activity more enjoyable. joints and muscles are calmed. • Communicate with your partner. Be open and honest. Tell your partner what you like and do not like. Listen to FEMALE POSITIONING your partner’s likes and dislikes. • For men who are unable to straighten their legs, an • Try different sexual positions to accommodate your body’s changing abilities. Experiment with positions that effective position is with the man on his back, partner on minimize weight bearing or tiring movements. top. The partner can lean back against his bent legs. • If you are in a wheelchair, consider a model with • The individual can lie on their side with a pillow or towel removable arms. between the legs. This position is especially useful when • Use a waterbed to relieve pressure on joints and to there are knee or hip contractures. Spoon entry from minimize weight bearing positions. behind works well with this arrangement. • Try personal lubricants to reduce discomfort during sexual intercourse. MOBILITY • Book appointments for sex with your partner. Conserve • Use adapted orthoses, lifts and positioning devices. your energy and save it for some intimate time with your • Employ sexual aids and toys; vibrators with hand straps. partner. • A third party intervention can be called upon to help • Consider either self-stimulation or mutual stimulation. position both partners. Although not acceptable to all people, this provides another method for you and your partner to pleasure one The individual with ALS often experiences compromised another. mobility. Adaptations to sexual positions and techniques • Orgasms produce a natural high. It helps with pain may be required. Yet, sexual activity can continue to control and stimulates pleasure producing