Intimacy and Multiple Sclerosis

Persons with multiple sclerosis require extensive management of the physiologic and psychologic sequelae of their chronic disease process. Sexual intimacy is affected by many of these disease effects, which impacts them in diverse ways. Many persons with multiple sclerosis do not discuss sexual intimacy with their health care provider because they assume it is an expected part of the disease and nothing can help, or they are too embarrassed to admit to problems at a very young age. Since this is a disease that usually occurs between 20 and 40 years of age, sexual intimacy is affected from many perspectives. Collaboration is essential in the plan of care between the client, family, and the health care provider.