Sexuality And Health Problems: Womens Sexual Health

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Sexuality and health problems

Long-term medical conditions compound the sexual issues that men and women already face during the natural aging process. Heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis are just some of the illnesses that can have a serious, lasting impact on your sexuality. Treatments can also alter sexual functioning. What's more, the emotional effects of an illness often weigh as heavily as the physical ones. One or both members of the couple may experience depression, which is a major contributor to sexual problems.

As you might expect, the AARP sexuality survey found that healthy individuals are more likely to engage in sexual activity. The survey found that 44% of people who characterized their health as excellent or very good had intercourse at least once a week. But as health status declined, so did sexual activity. About 33% of the people with good health and just 20% of those with fair or poor health had intercourse this frequently. And many of the respondents reported that better health for either themselves or their partner would improve their sex lives.

When you're first confronted with an illness, things may look bleak. But many people are able to resume a satisfying sex life after an initial adjustment phase. The first step to overcoming these challenges is to investigate the potential effects of the disease and treatment on your sex life. This section provides an overview of some common conditions and how they affect sexuality in later life. But it is also important to discuss these issues with a doctor.

Keep in mind, too, that there are many ways to maintain physical intimacy. Some couples find that they can have a satisfying relationship without intercourse. However, even in the absence of sexual contact, preserving other forms of affection — such as hand-holding and cuddling — is crucial for maintaining a healthy, positive relationship.

A wide variety of illnesses can cause or exacerbate sexual problems, but given the scope of this report, it isn't possible to include information about all of them. Here is a closer look at some of the most common culprits.

Last updated:	January 23, 2007