According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, more than ten million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia and of those, more than 80 percent are women.
Here is some background on fibromyalgia. The NFA website states ʺfibromyalgia (pronounced fy-bro-my-AL-ja) is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally and socially. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease. Unlike a disease, which is a medical condition with a specific cause or causes and recognizable signs and symptoms, a syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause.ʺ
Fibromyalgia is also known as fibromyalgia syndrome, fibromyositis and fibrositis. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
• chronic widespread pain
• multiple tender points
• abnormal pain processing
• sleep disturbances
• fatigue
• psychological distress
For many with fibromyalgia, sex may be one of the last things on their mind. Their libido may be decreased due to medications, they are not mentally prepared for intimacy (fear of pain during sex) or they may be too exhausted to initiate sex.
According to Marline Emmal, author of Fibromyalgia and Female Sexuality, "Sexual activity is good for fibromyalgia pain. Rather than fibromyalgia pain making you shy away from sex, you should embrace it, because it’s one of the best treatments. It increases the happy hormones in your brain; they in turn reduce your pain level."
The NFA offers these great tips regarding sex and fibromyalgia:
• Talk to your partner about your pain points. Have the conversation in a neutral location versus the bedroom. Discuss your pain points, but also discuss a gentle touch technique of love-making.
Also, discuss and develop a safe word. This is a word you say during sex if you experience too much pain during sex. Once you say this word, you and your partner stop having sex immediately. This is a great tip to be creative and have fun with your partner.
• Ease into your intimate sexual encounter. Take a hot bath to soothe your aches and pains. K-Y Jelly may also be helpful.
• Try a new position. Try the position where both partners are standing. Another position which may be favorable to women suffering from FMS is when a woman leans on furniture high enough to comfortably support her and the man enters from behind. Be creative.
• Talk to your doctor about your medications and if there are alternative medications which do not deplete your libido. Also ask your doctor if you can take a "drug holiday."
The FMA said this is when you ʺsuspend use of your medication for a weekend, giving your libido enough time to recover so that you and your partner can make love. Then on Monday you can resume your prescription.ʺ It is important to secure your doctor’s permission before you take a drug holiday.
References:
Deffner, E. National Fibromyalgia Association: Reclaim Your Sexuality. National Fibromyalgia Association: Welcome to the national fibromyalgia association. Retrieved March 5, 2012, from
http://www.fmaware.org/News26b22.html?page=NewsArticle&id=5365
Fibromyalgia Sexuality. Fibromyalgia Symptoms Organization. Retrieved March 5, 2012, from
http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_sexuality.html
National Fibromyalgia Association: About Fibromyalgia. National Fibromyalgia Association: Welcome to the national fibromyalgia association. Retrieved March 5, 2012, from
http://www.fmaware.org/PageServerded3.html?pagename=fibromyalgia
National Fibromyalgia Association: Fibromyalgia Fact Sheet. National Fibromyalgia Association: Welcome to the national fibromyalgia association. Retrieved March 5, 2012, from
http://www.fmaware.org/PageServerc145.html?pagename=fibromyalgia_fmFactSheet
Reviewed March 6, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith