Being intimate with MS

Hello, I hope it's alright to talk about this on here, but I'm really looking for others' advice or thoughts. 

Since my diagnosis years ago I've really struggled with being intimate with my husband. I just don't have the desire, and I don't know if it's from my MS or a side effect of my medicines. I'm a bit embarrassed about it and haven't been able to bring it up with my neurologist, it's hard enough discussing it with my husband.

Again I hope it's alright to post this here. I guess I'd like to know if anyone else is going through this, or if it's just me? Is there anything we can do about it? How do we cope?

Thank you all,

Miss MS x

@Miss.MS Hello Miss.MS, thank you for opening this discussion, of course we can talk about that here! This is an important topic, as chronic illnesses like MS can take a significant toll on not only our physical health, but on our mental health and intimate relationships.

We recently published an article on sexuality and chronic illness that may be helpful to you, let me link it here: Intimacy with a Chronic Illness

Now et me tag some members who can maybe weigh in!

Hello everyone, I hope you're well! 

Has your MS or your treatment affected your emotional and sexual life? Do you talk about it with your partner or significant other? What to you do to cope or to make things better?

@Rolley5‍ @VickiD‍ @Emma123‍ @Emma1024‍ @shunt999‍ @madsheep71‍ @Zombieapplebaby‍ @Tilly68‍ @Bern50‍ @Meggie333‍ @182614‍ @Diva360‍ @Charlie12345‍ @Harps10‍ @Jemgavlaa‍ @Fl33tw00d‍ @thembrough‍ @EmilieH‍ 

Feel free to share your thoughts, doubts, fears and feelings here! We're all here to help each other!

Take care,
Courtney

@Miss.MS I understand what you mean. Clearly when I'm in a flare, everything is off the table and I am "closed for business". But even outside of a flare I struggle with libido as well. From what I've read in other places, MS can damage the nerves that are responsible for sexual response, and then that plus our medicines clearly don't help. My partner has been incredibly understanding with me about it all, I'm very lucky. I know it's difficult, but have you tried to talk about it with your husband? I think conversation in these types of matters is key.

@Miss.MS I understand completely. I've kind of put that part of my life behind me. My fatigue has washed away both my need and ability for that kind of intimacy. I think it's important to know that there is more than physical intimacy in a relationship. Since my diagnosis my love for my husband and his love for me has grown in other ways. We are so close in mind and spirit now that we almost don't need that kind of intimacy anymore. Emotional intimacy is enough for us. 

Please do speak with your husband and your neurologist, I'm sure they both can help you. But do know that a relationship is entirely possible without physical intimacy.