According to a story from findmecure.com, an often overlooked subject for many rare, chronic conditions is the impact that these long term illnesses can have on a patient’s sex life. The reality is that many rare diseases can alter your sex life. In this story, we are going to discuss the ways in which the rare disease myasthenia gravis can impact sex.
About Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a long term autoimmune disease that is most characterized by weakness of the skeletal muscles which can affect a patient’s ability to move and breathe. An an autoimmune disease, myasthenia gravis is ultimately the result of abnormal immune system behavior in which the system attacks normal body tissue. In this disease, the immune system produces antibodies that inhibit regular neuromuscular function. Symptoms of the illness include muscle weakness that worsens after activity and gets better after resting. This weakness may affect the face, eyes, neck, breathing, and limbs. It may cause speech and swallowing difficulties, eyelid drooping, shortness of breath, and blurred vision. In severe cases, patients may require breathing assistance with a ventilator. Treatment options for myasthenia gravis include immunosuppressive medications, thyroid gland removal, IVIG, and plasmapharesis. Most patients can effectively manage the condition with treatment. To learn more about myasthenia gravis, click here.
Your Sex Life and Myasthenia Gravis
The fact is that myasthenia gravis can change your body. A common treatment for the condition are steroids, which suppress the immune system. A common steroid used for the disease is prednisone. One of the common side effects with this medication is weight gain. Gaining weight can definitely have an impact on your sex life, particularly if you want to look a certain way. It might be hard to feel sexy when you are gaining weight, but it is important to remember that you don’t have to allow the unrealistic standards set by society define your sex appeal.
The disease itself can also have impacts; after all, drooping eyelids and difficulty with facial expression due to numbness are generally hard to regard as attractive.
This body positive thinking is not easy to adjust to, but it is important to remember that the alternative is having your symptoms return or get worse. Accepting the new normal is a far better option than allowing your self-esteem to plummet.
You should talk to someone about how myasthenia gravis is making you feel, be it with your partner or your doctor. Some drugs can also reduce your sex drive, so if you have a reduced desire for sex, this may be just another factor that comes with treatment. If you really can’t stand the effects that treatment are having, don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about alternatives that could suit your needs better.
