Disturbed sex life in chronic diseases

Chronic diseases often cause significant impairment of sexual function

28/11/2014

Chronic diseases are often associated with a disorder of sexual function. „Up to 80 percent of all chronically ill people suffer“, according to the MedUni Vienna, „at the same time as sexual dysfunctions that can be triggered either by the disease itself or by medications or other medical interventions.“

Patients with chronic diseases are extremely likely to struggle with impairments to their sexual function. Diabetes, high blood pressure, lipid metabolism disorders, arteriosclerosis, cancers and obesity are mentioned here by the MedUni Vienna as exemplary causes of sexual dysfunction. This coming weekend (6 and 7 December), the MedUni Vienna together with the Austrian Society for Sexual Medicine and Sexual Health invited to the first sex medical congress.

Side effects of medications suggest the libido
According to current figures, 54.4 percent of all diabetics, 63 percent of all obesity patients, 41 percent of hypertensive patients, 51 percent of patients with lipid metabolism disorders and 71 percent of cancer patients have a sexual dysfunction, explains Michaela Bayerle-Eder from the Department of Internal Medicine Medicine III at the MedUni Vienna. Often would have „Medications used to treat these and other conditions, side effects that have a negative effect on libido“, the expert continues.

Sexually active people with higher life expectancy
The impairments of sexual function are doubly disadvantageous for the patients with chronic diseases, as a „Satisfied sex life vice versa positive health effects“ has, according to the MedUni Vienna. „Sexually active people are healthier, live longer and stay fit for longer“, the MedUni continues to report. For this reason, since 2006, sexual health has been anchored in the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). Affected are all medical disciplines.

Possibilities to normalize the sexual function
According to the expert, a present sexual dysfunction can also be a sign of mental or physical suffering. The affected people can be helped in about 80 percent of the cases on a purely medical level. For example, by optimally adjusting blood pressure, blood sugar and lipid metabolism, or treating existing thyroid dysfunction and other hormonal disorders. Also „Sexual function-preserving physiotherapy“, adequate pain therapy, correct accompanying measures for radiation and chemotherapy or the conversion to a “sex-neutral antidepressant“ are mentioned as possible measures by the MedUni Vienna.

Shadowy life of sexuality
To date, sexuality leads, according to Michaela Bayer-Eder „a shadowy existence in medicine, although a disturbed sexual function can both cause and result from a variety of somatic and mental illnesses and plays a major role in almost every specialized medical discipline.“ Due to the insufficient consideration, it often comes in young patients to a deterioration in the quality of life. Generally essential for a good sex life are healthy food, sport, a lot of sleep and as little stress as possible. (Fp)

Picture credits: Jörg Brinckheger