When coping with the challenges of a chronic condition like Crohn’s disease, it’s important to maintain those special relationships with your spouse, family and friends. Having someone with whom you can share your thoughts and feelings can help you manage your disease better and feel more hopeful and positive. Affection, sex and emotional intimacy are all areas of human interaction that most people, including people with Crohn’s disease, want in their lives.
Physical intimacy
Since Crohn’s disease includes symptoms like abdominal cramping, intestinal gas, diarrhea, frequent trips to the bathroom, and concerns about finding a bathroom in time, interest in sexual relations can often be diminished. Moreover, some people with Crohn’s disease may be fearful of entering a relationship because of embarrassment over symptoms or even an inability to talk about the disease comfortably.
As a person with Crohn's disease, you may find that your interest in sex may diminish. Aside from distressing gastrointestinal symptoms, your genitals may be affected by your illness. Sometimes a fistula can occur between the bowel and the vagina, making sex painful.
Most medications used to treat Crohn's disease do not affect sexual desire or physical performance. Women being treated with antibiotics for a Crohn's disease flare-up may experience yeast infections with a vaginal discharge. This condition can be a bit uncomfortable, but it can be treated by seeing your doctor or using over-the-counter products. However, while this condition is active, a woman's sexual desire may be diminished.
Surgical treatments for Crohn's disease can also affect sexuality. When someone undergoes ostomy surgery, it can be quite an emotional adjustment. While wearing an ostomy appliance does not physically affect sexual function (although care must be used not to dislodge the appliance), some people may feel nervous or awkward.
Emotional intimacy – share your feelings
As a person living with Crohn's disease, you may find the idea of maintaining close relationships uncomfortable and frustrating. The dynamic that occurs in a family dealing with this chronic disease can be very stressful. You may feel angry or misunderstood, or perhaps frustrated by your disease. Others around you may be confused or frightened because they don’t fully understand your condition and how it affects you.
It’s very important to be honest and open with your loved ones so you can deal with the issues together. Spouses, partners and family members of people with Crohn’s disease have their own questions and fears. They need you to help them just as much as you rely on them for support.
Don’t keep your feelings bottled up. The first attempt to have an honest conversation about your disease and the way you feel about your relationship may be scary for you, but eventually you’ll see the benefit of sharing your feelings with your partner and loved ones. Communicate your needs, fears, and expectations. Take turns asking questions and allow your loved ones to explain how your condition impacts them.
People must be able to talk about their concerns in order to find solutions to their problems. You and your partner may even want to talk to a therapist or counselor. It’s important to remember two things. First, you are not alone, and second, don’t unnecessarily find yourself alone by being afraid to reach out and connect with your loved ones.
