Fibromyalgia and Sex: Here’s What You Should Know

Fibromyalgia is a challenging condition, causing pain and fatigue that affects every aspect of your life, including your sex life. Sexual dysfunction is an unfortunate side effect of fibromyalgia. 

At Interventional Pain Associates in Austin, Texas, our pain management specialist, Dr. Sarosh Saleemi, understands the complexities of fibromyalgia and its effects on your life. Your sexual health is an important part of your overall health and is one of the areas we address with our fibromyalgia patients.

Here, we want to share what you need to know about fibromyalgia and sex.

Fibromyalgia and sexual health

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that affects your physical, emotional, and sexual well-being. Both men and women with fibromyalgia experience problems with sexual health, including:

• Low libido
• Disinterest in sex
• Difficulty getting aroused
• Difficulty reaching orgasm
• Genital pain
• Vaginal dryness in women

The above are symptoms of sexual dysfunction, a condition that prevents you from having a satisfying sexual relationship.

Causes of sexual dysfunction in fibromyalgia

Multiple factors may lead to sexual dysfunction in people with fibromyalgia, but it may start with pain. Fibromyalgia causes widespread muscle and joint pain with areas of tenderness. 

People with fibromyalgia experience tenderness in specific areas of the body, including the lower back and buttocks. You may find it hard to get any pleasure from sexual activity if it exacerbates your pain, especially those tender areas. You may avoid sex and, over time, lose interest.

The fatigue that comes with fibromyalgia may also zap your energy and desire for sex. Additionally, some of the medications prescribed to manage your symptoms, like antidepressants, may affect libido, arousal, and ability to orgasm. 

How to improve sexual health

Fibromyalgia isn’t just a pain syndrome, but a condition that affects many aspects of your health. When it comes to treatment, we take a holistic approach. Moist heat, like soaking in a warm bath, eases fibromyalgia pain by increasing circulation and alleviating stiffness. Taking a bath before sex may lessen the pain and make the experience more enjoyable. 

Stress triggers fibromyalgia. Finding healthy ways to manage stress may reduce pain and boost libido. Regular exercise, good nutrition, and meditation can help alleviate your stress and pain.

You can also try lubricants or different sexual positions. Most importantly, you need to communicate with your sexual partner and work together to rebuild the intimacy in your relationship.

Is your fibromyalgia affecting every area of your life, including your intimate relationship? We can help. Call our office or click the “book online” button to make an appointment with our fibromyalgia expert.