Being intimate with MS

@Miss.MS Hello Miss.MS, thank you for opening this discussion, of course we can talk about that here! This is an important topic, as chronic illnesses like MS can take a significant toll on not only our physical health, but on our mental health and intimate relationships.

We recently published an article on sexuality and chronic illness that may be helpful to you, let me link it here: Intimacy with a Chronic Illness

Now et me tag some members who can maybe weigh in!

Hello everyone, I hope you're well! 

Has your MS or your treatment affected your emotional and sexual life? Do you talk about it with your partner or significant other? What to you do to cope or to make things better?

@Rolley5‍ @VickiD‍ @Emma123‍ @Emma1024‍ @shunt999‍ @madsheep71‍ @Zombieapplebaby‍ @Tilly68‍ @Bern50‍ @Meggie333‍ @182614‍ @Diva360‍ @Charlie12345‍ @Harps10‍ @Jemgavlaa‍ @Fl33tw00d‍ @thembrough‍ @EmilieH‍ 

Feel free to share your thoughts, doubts, fears and feelings here! We're all here to help each other!

Take care,
Courtney

@Miss.MS I understand what you mean. Clearly when I'm in a flare, everything is off the table and I am "closed for business". But even outside of a flare I struggle with libido as well. From what I've read in other places, MS can damage the nerves that are responsible for sexual response, and then that plus our medicines clearly don't help. My partner has been incredibly understanding with me about it all, I'm very lucky. I know it's difficult, but have you tried to talk about it with your husband? I think conversation in these types of matters is key.

@Miss.MS I understand completely. I've kind of put that part of my life behind me. My fatigue has washed away both my need and ability for that kind of intimacy. I think it's important to know that there is more than physical intimacy in a relationship. Since my diagnosis my love for my husband and his love for me has grown in other ways. We are so close in mind and spirit now that we almost don't need that kind of intimacy anymore. Emotional intimacy is enough for us. 

Please do speak with your husband and your neurologist, I'm sure they both can help you. But do know that a relationship is entirely possible without physical intimacy.