Home Featured Discussion Sex, Intimacy & Arthritis

Sex, Intimacy & Arthritis-Who are we doing it with?

For some it's a delicate topic, others may find it offensive, but most of us want to talk about Sex, Intimacy & Arthritis. And talk we will, all this week.

Let's start by learning about type of relationships our members are involved in. We asked:
Tell us about your current intimate relationship. Are you married? Dating? Gay? Is your partner understanding about the limitations arthritis can bring?
And you said:

I am engaged to a very understanding person. He knows that I have limitations to what I do because of the pain it might cause. -CD

I'm married, 36 years old and with my RA I have had some changes. My husband prefers sex during the morning, he is 51years old, and during the morning I've more limitations than during the night time. He seems to understand sometimes not only for sex , for many activities my sickness but he doesn't keep in mind my limitations. -CM

Hi Everbody: I am 55 years old and have been married to the same loving wife for 37 years + a few months. I have RA in my feet , ankles, knees, hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, fingers and eyes. My wife has not been diagnosed with the bib "A", but I have been concerned about her hips. She is very understanding of my problem and makes every effort to accommodate my needs as best she can. -JC

My boyfriend (of 5 years) is very understanding about the limitations that arthritis can bring. -T

my significant other is somewhat understanding of my rheumatoid arthritis. he doesn't always remember that pain is a part of my life and that sex can sometimes aggravate my pain and make my body hurt for days after intimacy. we have tried whirlpools and massages and that helps. -?

I have been widowed for 4 years-have not had a date since August 2000 -M.D.

I am married, and very lucky. My Husband is very understanding. -CP

I am married to a wonderful man, for the last 15 years, he is so understanding of my rheumy, he knows when i am having a bad day and helps alot with everything in the house. -I

I live with my partner he tries his best to understand but it is difficult and frustrating for us both. -RH

I am the one with the problem of limitation, my past partner was more understanding about it then me, lol. It put quite a dark cloud over the relation between us and is hard to fix. I have to really work on my out look and coping skills which will take time. Then can have a more successful relationship, it's how we view ourselves through others eyes. -LD

I am involved with my ex-husband. I was diagnosed with RA less than a year after we started seeing each other again. We had been divorced for 17 years. He has been understanding as he can be. It has been a learning process for both of us. -M

My husband is not understanding of my hip pain that makes it uncomfortable for sex. He also thinks that I make to much of the pain I have because we all get older and simply have to endure. He does not want me to take Methotrexate. I should just get old gracefully and have more sex. -V

Married 6 years. Hubby is extremely understanding and does not pressure me to do anything more than my limits. He almost babies me really. -?

I am a 50 year old female and married. -?

Married 9 years next month, He is understanding but.... -L

Married. Yes, my partner is VERY understanding. He has been from day one. Now that he has a bulging lumbar disk, he's even more understanding of my limitations, sometimes to the point of smotheringness (is that a word?). Anyway, he's there for me. -DT

Later this week we'll hear from many others as they tell us about Sex, Intimacy & Arthritis in their lives. Don't forget to j</font><font face="Verdana" size="2">oin us tonight (Monday) in the chatroom at 9:30 to discuss Sex, Intimacy & Arthritis with Dr Barry Waters and Dr. Susan Hoch. Sure to be a lively discussion!

Tina Underwood
Page last updated on September 23, 2001