Question

If you were counseling individuals with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis, what would you tell them about sexuality? What would you tell their partners? (200 words)

Answer 1

Diabetes:

• They are more prone for infections which include balanitis, vaginal infections and urinary tract infections. Maintainence of sexual hygiene is of prime importance.
• Susceptible to macro vascular and microvascular complications.This includes increased atherogenicity. This can affect blood flow to the sex organs and cause sexual dysfunction.
• Autonomic neuropathy that occurs as a part of the disease can also cause sexual dysfunction.
• It can cause impotence in men and sexual dysfunction in females.

Cardiovascular disease:

• Sexual activity increased cardiac output and puts the cardiovascular system in strain for a short duration of time. Those with an already compromised myocardial function can be predisposed to myocardial infarction and sudden collapse. Hence, sexual activity should be restricted in those with severe cardiac illness.
• Atherosclerosis is common and cause sexual dysfunction
• Due to poor effort tolerance, maynot be able to exert.

Arthritis

• The difficulty in movements can make sexual activity painful
• Care should be taken to protect affected joints
• Cardiovascular complications often accompany autoimmune arthritis.