Wednesday, May 27, 2009
PRIMARY SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN MEN WITH MS
The most common problems experienced by men are difficulty or inability to get or hold an erection, decreased genital sensation, rapid ejaculation, and difficulty or inability to ejaculate. Difficulty acquiring or maintaining satisfactory erections s...
Lisa, you always do such a good job with research.
This topic must have been particularly difficult because we seem to place so much of our identities in the act of sex and our entire sexuality, especially in America. You talked last time about how much higher sexual dysfunction is in MS when compared with other chronic conditions as well as the general population. It seems so many things are greatly exaggerated by MS. Hmmm. Another example that life is not fair.
This is interesting -- you did a good job. I look forward to to your take with women next time.
Thank you Vicki,
Our nervous system controls our body and MS gives us a faulty nervous system. It's like a computer virus which takes over our circuits and interferes with normal functioning.
Steve left a wonderful comment on the excerpt of this post on my blog. He has expressed in a few words the complete point of this collection of posts. Here is his wisdom:
"There you go, putting the FUN in dysfunction again.
The physical and emotional barriers to traditional sexual intimacy that MS creates are quite often too difficult for couples to overcome. Lack of sensation and painful orgasm make receiving pleasure impossible. Lack of energy does the same for giving pleasure. In the end, given all the other daily challenges, the door closes on that part of one's life.
However, creative and open-minded people will always find a way to open a window to something new and maybe just as satisfying. It does take a lot of effort and communication, though. The kind of communication that is usually not necessary after the first year or two of a relationship."
Intimacy is so much more than the act of sex. But as you say, we become conditioned to believe that our identities are dependent upon being desirable and the ability to give pleasure. I hope that folks realize that MS cannot truly take those qualities away.