Physical health and chronic health conditions

If you have a physical health condition or are living with a chronic health condition this may be impacting on your ability to function sexually. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid issues, MS, CFS, endometriosis, Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s

You may also be living with sexual difficulties following treatment for cancer or after surgical intervention for phimosis, anal fistula.

If you, or your partner, have had a cancer diagnosis or are living with cancer please note that Maggie’s Edinburgh have a Psychosexual therapy service.

Different life stages in our body may also have an impact e.g. pregnancy, post-partum and pregnancy loss, natural decline in hormones, menopause.

There is physical and psychological support available to people considering pregnancy as well as those who are, or have been, pregnant including those who have experienced loss.

You may have also experienced trauma during a medical examination or intervention e.g. pregnancy related, cervical smear, vasectomy.

If you have experienced trauma this may be impacting on you physically, emotionally, sexually and psychologically. This is an understandable response.

Research indicates that we can hold trauma in our bodies long after the event. Connecting with your body can help to release some of this tension through e.g. massage, acupuncture, reflexology, yoga, pilates, running, meditation, pelvic stretches, physiotherapy If you are experiencing urinary issues physiotherapy can help with this too.

Information and support is available at the Lothian Chronic Pain Service with patient leaflets available also.

THE EXPPECT Pelvic Pain Service is at the forefront of research into pelvic pain and endometriosis.

If you have physical or psychological difficulties you may be self medicating with prescription medication or recreational drugs. We would encourage you to access supports to stop as this may be causing or exacerbating your sexual dysfunction. Please see: Smart Recovery, Crew, Change Grow Live (CGL), https://www.changegrowlive.org/advice-info/drugs/chemsex , Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership.

Life experiences, trauma and chronic pelvic pain impact on us psychologically, emotionally, physically and sexually. You can discuss these factors, and their impact, with your psychosexual therapist.