Are Health Issues Ruining Your Sex Life?

Are Health Issues Ruining Your Sex Life?

Read about the author Samantha Evans

“Not now, Darling, I have a headache/back ache/painful legs.”

How many times have we used these excuses to say no to sex? If everyday health worries are having a negative impact upon your sex life, it’s time to take control and do something about it.

All the following below can potentially be passion killers but there are many ways to stop them from spoiling your sex life.

Pregnancy

It is perfectly normal for your sex life to take a back seat when you are pregnant due to your changing hormones and body shape. If you are experiencing a totally normal pregnancy without any complications (check with your GP or midwife), it is safe to continue sex. Some women feel very sexy during pregnancy but other women experience a dip in their libido. As your baby grows and your body gets bigger, try experimenting with different sexual positions to accommodate your size and for comfort. Being on top or being snuggled from behind may be more comfortable positions to try. Use pH balanced sexual lubricants as you are more prone to getting thrush and urinary tract infections during pregnancy due to hormone changes.

Weight Gain

Being over weight is not beneficial for your overall health but if you are embarrassed about exposing your lumps and bumps to your partner, stop and think again. Many men prefer curvaceous women and they are naturally attracted to women with hourglass figures because subconsciously they think they will be better at bearing children and have a longer life expectancy. Remember, your partner loves you: bumps and all. Your body shows the life you have had together, including the children you have created together and have given birth to. Curves are sexy so celebrate them and show them off. Beautiful, well fitting lingerie really helps, making you feel sexy and will cause your partner to sizzle with desire for you!

If you really want to lose weight, why not consider involving your partner, especially if they have a few pounds to lose too?

Eczema

Any skin conditions can make you feel uncomfortable and self conscious during sex. Your GP can prescribe emollients and medication to soothe your skin. Try cutting down on histamine-containing foods such as tomatoes, berries and chocolate to reduce the itching and inflammation. Take time to discuss how you feel about your skin condition with your partner. They may not even have noticed how your skin looks. Advise him to steer clear of an infected or sore area during sexual intercourse.

Headache

Stop using the headache excuse to avoid having sex. A quickie could cure the pain. A recent US study found that 61% of women experience some form of pain relief from a headache after having sex. This is due to the released of oxytocin and feel good endorphins which give you a sense of well being and help you to relax. Another US study found that migraine sufferers reported 20% higher levels of desire than sufferers of tension headaches, believed to be caused by serotonin released during sex. Migraine sufferers have lower levels of serotonin and the chemical boost released during sex can help their migraine.

Asthma

Any breathing difficulties you may experience as a consequence of asthma can have an adverse effect upon your sex life, especially if it is exercise induced. Taking a couple of puffs of your inhaler 15 minutes before sex may help. If being on the bottom during sex exerts too much pressure on your chest, try being on top. If your asthma occurs later in the day, have morning sex instead. This can help your breathing problems and boost your feel good hormones to make you feel happy throughout the day. You don’t have to have penetrative sex, just enjoy extended foreplay.

Arthritis

Just because you suffer from arthritis doesn’t mean you need to stop enjoying a great sex life. The most important way to alleviate pain is to try different positions to find the most comfortable and least painful one for you. Taking pain relief 30 minutes before may help. Sensual massage and warm baths or showers can help to relax your joints and muscles as well as turning you on.

Some medications for arthritis can cause vaginal dryness so using a good quality lubricant can help to ease this problem.

Stress

We all feel stressed during our busy lives but we need to learn to handle our stress more effectively. Stress can cause a dip in testosterone levels which affects your sex drive. A healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise can help lift your mood. Relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga can be beneficial too. Try having sex in the morning. Set the alarm a little earlier to enjoy the health boosting benefits morning sex can have to start your day in a better mood. Even if your stress levels start to creep up later in the day, the memory of the great sex you had that morning can help to relax you and put a cheeky secret smile on your face.

Feeling stressed can often impact upon your ability to orgasm and enjoy pleasurable sex so find ways through massage, relaxtion techniques, mindfulness and letting go.

Menopause

Even though your sex drive may not be diminished during the menopause, reduction in oestrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness so using a good quality lubricant will help. Post menopausal women take longer to become comfortably lubricated so foreplay is important. Thinning vaginal walls can affect the way sexual intercourse feels but regular sex and masturbation can help as well as pelvic floor exercises. Using a sex toy or kegel balls can aid the tone of the vagina and improve your sexual experience.

If you are struggling to orgasm, try using a sex toy which offers different sexual sensations.

Choose a skin safe sexual lubricant as you may be more prone to thrush and bacterial vaginosis. Using pH balanced lubricants during sex can also prevent recurrent cystitis or urinary tract infections.

Insomnia

Having sex or enjoying an orgasm before retiring at night can help you fall asleep with a smile on your face but if lack of sleep is a regular occurrence, you may be feeling too tired to even contemplate sex. Solve this problem by only using your bed for having sex or sleep. Avoid lying awake at night by getting up and leaving the room to occupy your wakefulness with another activity. Over time, you will gradually train your brain to associate the bed with fun and relaxation only.

Having sex can help menopausal women to sleep better too as many experience nigh time hot flushes or restlessness.

Back pain

It may seem obvious but trying to find the most comfortable position for you will help. Experiment with different positions such as from behind, on top or standing up. Your partner won’t mind trying out new sexual positions especially if you both find one which is works.

Whatever your health problem, don’t let it impact upon your sex life, there is always a way to resolve the problem and the best sex is often all about compromise.