Sex and Fibromyalgia

For men and women with fibromyalgia, aching joints and chronic fatigue can dampen romance. But you don’t have to live without sex and intimacy. Here’s how to get your love life back… 

If you have fibromyalgia, one of the first things to suffer may be your sex life. After all, it’s hard to feel in the mood and sexy when you’re tired and in pain. 

And drugs that help manage the condition, including antidepressants and painkillers – can further dampen sex drive by affecting production of brain chemicals that influence libido and erections.   Even if you want sex, fibromyalgia symptoms can include sensitize nerves, that even the slightest tough can produce pain rather than pleasure. 

People with Fibromyalgia often find they are in the mood mentally, and may even feel aroused and turned on.  But the idea of even being touched and being in pain makes the body say “no”.

The problem is that the lack of sex can make you feel isolated from your partner.  How much that he or she understands, that intimacy that you once had isn’t there anymore.   There is good news.   There are ways to keep the fire burning. Try these tips to stop fibromyalgia from stealing your sex life.

Focus on pleasure rather than frequency. You don’t have to have a sex marathon to have a great time in bed. Even if you don’t have sex as often as you used to or for as long as you used to sex can be just as amazing. 

Stay in touch with your body. Keep track of times when you feel great. It might be first thing in the morning, after a relaxing bath, or an hour or so after you take a pain reliever or other medication. Those are the best moments to enjoy intimacy.

Think of sex as therapy. Remind yourself that sex is nurturing for you and your partner. And it boosts endorphins, your body’s own natural painkillers.  The more you have, the better.