Women's Sexual Health

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Sex with Illnesses and Disability

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Sex with illness and disability

Women with medical illnesses and physical disabilities are faced with the challenge of having a healthy sex life. This, however, is due more to the conditions in which they are received and perceived than by the restrictions brought about by illnesses and disabilities themselves. The following illustrate the plight of these women.

In our society, women are evaluated by how they meet the standardized measures of beauty and desirability. These projected demands affect a woman’s own perception of her sexuality, and even more so for those who have illnesses and disabilities, according to self-reports.

Some health care providers assume that women with illnesses and disabilities do not have sex lives or know little about the possibility of sex even when with illnesses and disabilities. These women then are ignored when it comes to information, attention, guidance and planning options, which could have helped them have sex and even get pregnant.

There is little education and assistance available to women with illnesses and disabilities on how to manage the physical barriers they encounter, such as vaginal dryness, lack of balance, pains in joints, tendency to tire out more quickly, bodily changes as in with weight, pain experienced during sex and the possible effects of medication such as low sexual desire.

Sexual enjoyment is not a privilege. Women who have illnesses and disabilities only need to work around the psychological, emotional, social and physical barriers their conditions present.

The first step is to acknowledge and accept the illness or disability and all the bodily changes it implies. Only then will you be ready to attack them and work around them.

Taking care of yourself is essential not only for potential sexual enjoyment but for your medical improvement as well. This includes keeping medical appointments and obligations as well as careful grooming and choosing the right clothes. When you feel more positively about yourself, you also invite a positive regard from other people.

It is a must that you talk with your partner or potential partner about you and your partner’s ideas about sexuality, sexual needs and desires. You should inform him of what feels comfortable, good, exciting or painful.

Explore ways in which you can make love other than by sexual intercourse. Not only will this put spice into your sexual life, it will also prove helpful to your condition and thus your sexual enjoyment and romantic relationship.

Although spontaneity is a plus in relationships, planning is also equally beneficial, especially when this means knowing at which conditions and time of day the two of you are at your best. This will also help you prepare yourself and thus enjoy more, by having adequate time to shower, prepare needed lubricants or vibrators, and avoid conflict with scheduled medication or therapy.

Many women with illnesses and disabilities have healthy sex lives, as well as husbands and children. The most important thing one must achieve in order to have these are an assertive point of view regarding one’s needs and rights to those needs.