Based on the week’s reviewing assignment, the topic that that I found to be most important and interesting is sexuality and medical problems, particularly the concept of effects of illness on sexuality and relationships. Despite the research and advanced medical innovations to help manage various diseases, the illnesses still create a multitude of problems in individual’s sexuality and that of partners. Even a trivial flu can result in changes in sexuality and relationships, perchance if the female partner _stereotypically the nurturer, becomes the patient in need of tending (Miki & Hohashi, 2018) . Different types of illnesses_ hormonals, cardiovascular, viral, neurological, and so forth affect sexuality and relationships in different ways ( Buehler, 2017) . With on set of a disease, sex may not be the same as before, and this requires couples to adjust and accept their new normal, where intercourse and some sexual behaviours may be impractical.
It is important to note that the effects of illnesses on sexuality range from minimal to intensive depending on cause of the disease, whether it is relapsing, progressive, or chronic, degree of incapacitation, and the likely prognosis. Couples who were independent may become interdependent due to the emotional and physical demands of coping with a disease. Interestingly, a woman for instance may feel less feminine when she becomes unable to care for her family and she becomes the one in need of care. Likewise, a man will feel less masculine due to reduced muscle tone and inability to provide for his family die to an illness ( Epstein & Mamo, 2017 ) . Such sentiments may make the sick less inclined to sexual activities. Illnesses can change a couple’s quality of life owing to the physical, social and financial changes that come with the diseases. All these changes affect sexuality and couples may need help to adjust and adapt to the changes.
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A research on effects of diabetes mellitus on sexuality revealed that the disease caused nerve damage, hormonal imbalance and decreased testosterone in men (Cooper et al., 2018). These problems can be a prerequisite for sexual dysfunction associated with low sexual desire, delayed ejaculation, and erectile disorders. The research showed that most men exhibit erectile disorders, which lead clinicians to diagnosing diabetes mellitus. In women, the disease was reported to cause vaginal dryness associated sex discomforts, and high risks of contracting yeast infections (Cooper et al., 2018). All these problems hinder couples from enjoying sex and related activities arousal and orgasms become hard to achieve.
References
Buehler, S. (2017). What every mental health professional needs to know about sex (Second edition. ed.). Springer Publishing Company, LLC.
Cooper, S., Leon, N., Namadingo, H., Bobrow, K., & Farmer, A. J. (2018). " My wife's mistrust. That's the saddest part of being a diabetic": A qualitative study of sexual well-being in men with Type 2 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa. PloS one , 13 (9), e0202413.
Epstein, S., & Mamo, L. (2017). The proliferation of sexual health: Diverse social problems and the legitimation of sexuality. Social Science & Medicine , 188 , 176-190.
Miki, Y., & Hohashi, N. (2018). Journal of Medical Care Research and Review.
