How to Have Better Sex When You Live With Psoriasis: 9 Tips

3. Boost Your Self-Confidence

“If your psoriasis plaques are really bad, and people are looking at you like you’re a leper, it’s hard to feel desirable,” says Madelyn Petrow-Cohen, a licensed clinical social worker and psychologist with offices in Maplewood, New Jersey, and Greenwich Village, New York.

“This is where you would benefit from focusing on building up a more robust sense of yourself.” Join a psoriasis support group and you’ll see you’re not alone. You might also find helpful suggestions that work for intimacy in the bedroom.

It’s also a good idea to check in with your doctor if your current treatment regimen isn’t controlling your symptoms.

4. Keep It Dark

If it makes you feel better, dim the lights in the bedroom and use candles. You may be more comfortable with intimacy if your psoriasis is not as easy to see.

5. Dress the Part

Lacy undergarments may help set the mood for sex. Avoid synthetic fabrics, which can be itchy and exacerbate psoriasis symptoms. Garments that are 100 percent cotton will be more breathable, and therefore potentially more comfortable. Be sure to wash your clothes and bedding with detergent that won’t irritate sensitive skin.

6. Use Lubricants

Cadell suggests using lubricants and topical enhancers. Cooling lubricants are better than warming ones for people with psoriasis, she says. “Warming lubricants could trigger a flare.” A good way to find out if you’re sensitive to lubricants is to test them on your bottom lip first, Cadell advises.

For men with psoriasis on the penis, a lubricated condom may keep the skin from becoming inflamed. Coconut oil can be a sensual lubricant and good for psoriasis skin. That being said, coconut oil and other oil-based lubricants should never be used with latex condoms, as the oil can damage the condom and render it ineffective.

Avoid lubricants and condoms with fragrance, which may lead to irritation on the cracked and open skin of psoriasis.

7. Be Creative

If you’re having a flare and lovemaking isn’t possible because of the discomfort, find alternatives, Cadell says.

“Focus on what is comfortable for you, whether it’s gentle caresses, holding hands, watching romantic movies, or enjoying a romantic dinner. Talk about what you love about each other,” she explains. Sex is more than just the act of intercourse.

8. Indulge in Aphrodisiacs

Some foods may help set the mood for sex when you have psoriasis. An aphrodisiac Cadell recommends for women: licorice, which has components that have estrogen-like activity and are believed to stimulate the sex glands, bringing increased levels of oxygen to the female genitals.

Cadell suggests pumpkin pie or pumpkin seeds for men. They’re thought to possibly increase penile blood flow. Additionally, dark chocolate, long thought of as an aphrodisiac, contains a compound called phenylethylamine that can act as a mild stimulant, putting you in a good mood.

9. Follow Your Treatment Plan

When you follow your treatment plan and take your medication as prescribed, your psoriasis will improve. There is no cure for psoriasis, but medication can help control symptoms. When your treatment is working, you’ll feel better; if you feel better, it’ll be easier to be in the “mood” with the right partner. After you’ve had sex, take the time to cleanse your genitals and reapply topical medication as needed.

The Takeaway

Open and honest communication with your partner about your psoriasis can reduce misunderstandings and help maintain intimacy; consider discussing it before becoming intimate.
Building self-confidence through support groups and emphasizing nonphysical aspects of intimacy can enhance a satisfying sex life despite psoriasis symptoms.
Consistently following your prescribed treatment plan can help you manage psoriasis symptoms, making you feel better and potentially improving your readiness for intimacy.
If you decide not to let your psoriasis get in your way, it won’t, and you’ll find you can have better sex.

Source link