One third of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have sexual problems, according to the results of a study presented at the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) and published on the Eurekalert website. Lack of libido, painful intercourse, orgasmic dysfunction, premature ejaculation and unsatisfactory sexual life are often the lot of these patients.
Researchers from the Center for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Bogota, Colombia analyzed the responsible factors that influence the prevalence and aggravation of sexual disorders in 1,298 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, with an average age of 55 years.
Factors of sexual dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
For a third (33%) of women and 6% of men, infidelity promotes sexual disorders. Biological or physical causes are involved for 17% of women and 3% of men. Discomfort or not feeling comfortable causes sexual dysfunction for 32% of women and 16% of men.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis develop chronic sexual dysfunction
The researchers also analyzed the factors responsible for chronic disorders. They identified several.
Indeed, the conclusions of the study reveal that 11% of chronic sexual disorders are caused by biological causes in women and 15% in men. The deterioration of the couple relationship generates for 9% of women and 19% men’s chronic sexual problems.
Researchers have also found that partner sexual dysfunction may be involved, such as depression and anxiety.
“Sexuality is an important dimension of an individual’s personality, and sexual problems can have a serious and negative impact on the relationship,” explained lead author Dr. Pedro Santos-Moreno of the Center for rheumatoid arthritis from Bogota, Colombia. “It is therefore quite surprising that, so far, very little research on sexual disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis has been published in the literature,” he added.
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