Home Featured Discussion Sex, Intimacy & Arthritis Sex + Arthritis = Problem? 

Sex + Arthritis = Problem? 

We asked our members:
What impact has arthritis had on your sex life? What problems has it caused?
And you said:

Less frequent perhaps, but more cuddling. -DT

alot, it hurts too much since I do have several types of arthritis through out my body, and spinal. -L

I have arthritis in my spine. I am stiff and cannot make quick movements. I worry my husband will know how painfull my movements are. I don't want him to know. When he ask if I am in pain I say "no". -?

Definitely lowered the desire. Especially for a youngun! Hard to get in the mood when there's pain.-?

Their are times it is so painful that I just endure till I can get in to a position less painful.-V

RA has taken away a great deal of spontaneity. It takes more planning and preparation to be intimate. Also, sex occurs less often due to pain or stiffness. As in all things, a little effort gives a better result. -M

Wow, this is quite a guestion, might change my title,lol, well I am not in a relationship, but I have while in the midst of RA, and it is challenging and can put a strain on the intimate part of the relationship. I feel in my experience it is really coming from me by setting up a situation that put's the other to react in a way that causes uncomfortability and they can only deal so long before they start to have problems getting sexual anticipating the tension and self consiousness. -LD

At the moment we have a limited sex life as I am stiff or too tired to make love, but we hope to get back on track for the future. -RH

Sure it has had it's up's and downs. But you have sex when and whereever you can -I

It hasn't really had much impact yet. I have only been having trouble with arthritis for the last three years. My Mother and My Sister and my Daughter haven't been so lucky. Mom had it bad quite young, as did my Sister. My Daughter has had it since she was 12. -CP

What sex life? I think Imust be a virgen by now! I have so many new symptoms that I have ceased dating, and most times have to cancel plans. -M

my rheumatoid arthritis hasn't changed the frequency or length of time together. the main problem is that I can hurt for days after physical activity. -?

Although I only have mild RA, dating a man 8 years younger has it's own set of challenges (ha!). My wrists bother me if I'm...ummm...on top too much. Quite honestly, all the medication I'm on also makes me...dry. And forget about standing-up positions! With my knees? ha! -T

Our sex life has definitely suffered from the RA and has been quite limiting. When you hurt everywhere it is hard to engage in any sexual activity, although not impossible. I must admit, it is hard for myself and my wife to try different positions when over the years we have been pretty much standard, wife lying on her back, type of sex. Then there is the fatigue, seems like I am always tired or "too tired". When we do have sex we are both always glad we did.-JC

I don't enjoy as before sex during the morning, many times during the intercourse
I can feel pain in my joints depend on the position, I don't feel sexy when I drag my feet and all the stiffness
I can't hug my husband as before because my elbows, arms and hands neither sleep close each other because
I cannot turn over my shoulders. Actually we don't have sex more than twice a week, when I was ok, it was at least 4 times a week.
I don't have so many problems thanks to the difference between my husband and me (15 years older than me) -CM

I get in more pain earlier than I used to. It has made me abstain at some times. -CD

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Page last updated on September 26, 2001