FALLING IN LOVE IS THE BEST ARTHRITIS MEDICINE

Here’s the good news: People with arthritis who go ahead and have sex, despite the pain in their joints, often report that their joints are pain-free for more than 6 hours afterward. Researchers believe that sexual arousal touches off a cascade of blissful hormonal changes, boosting the production of corticosteriod, a hormone that reduces pain and inflammation in the joints, as well as endorphins, the body’s natural opiates. (By some lights, falling in love is the best arthritis medicine of all.

About half of the 50 million Indians who suffer from some form of arthritis complain that it interferes with their sex lives. Usually its pain and stiffness in the hips, knees or lower back, rather than any loss of desire, that gets in the way.

Sometimes feelings of weakness or fatigue also interfere. That’s why sexual communication- letting your partner know what feels good and what doesn’t- is so important.

Good communication is important in any sexual relationship, of course, but when you’ve got arthritis hanging over the bed, there’s a great potential for hurt feelings.

The person who has arthritis often feels insecure and sometimes minister-prets concern on the part of the partner as distaste. Or a spouse may avoid sexual overtures for fear of hurting the arthritic partner; this may be perceived by the patient as a sign of revulsion. So be kind, and be specific. Let your partner know what feels good and what hurts.
Here are some ways to make sex more painless and pleasurable.

Get ready. An hour beforehand, take whatever pain-relieving medication you’re using. Avoid painkilling narcotics or other drugs that have sex-inhibiting side effects. Corticosteroids, for instance, may relieve pain in men, but they also suppress erection.
Loosen up. While you relax and get in the mood, try doing a few gentle range-of-motion exercises to limber up your joints.

Warm up. Take a warm bath or shower in preparation- or better yet, invite your partner to join you. Turn it into a slow, soapy, delicious form of foreplay.
Don’t’ forget to touch. Don’t forget that physical love doesn’t only mean intercourse- there’s always kissing, hugging, caressing, stroking, massaging and a thousand other variations on the ecstasy of touch.

Lubricate. Some times women who have arthritis also suffer from Sjogren’s syndrome, an unpleasant side effect that causes dryness of the mucous membranes around the eyes, mouth and vagina. It may help to use a lubricant like K-Y Jelly which is available without a prescription in drugstores.

Experiment with times.  Most people with rheumatoid arthritis have their most severe symptoms in the morning when they awaken. Symptoms are often lowest in mid afternoon and tend to worsen later in the day. Try adjusting your timetable for lovemaking to coincide with the periods during which symptoms are less severe.
Experiment with positions. The usual missionary position may be very uncomfortable if the woman has arthritis in her hip or the man has it in his knee, leg or arm. “Sannidhya – Sampurna Sex Guide” which (among other things) describes positions likely to be more comfortable.

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The above article is sent and written by:

Dr Paras Shah
Chief Consultant Sexologist & Infertility Specialist
SAL Hospital
Rajasthan Hospital
Apollo Clinic