Couple’s experiences when men are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the context of their sexual relationship

Author's summary

[Authors' abstract]

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) significantly affects the sexual lives of individuals with MS and their partners. However, health professionals often feel ill-prepared to assist these clients with sexual issues. Understanding a couple’s perspective is essential for health professionals in providing relevant support and interventions. This study aimed to understand the impact of MS on couples’ sexual relationships when the male partner was diagnosed with MS during the relationship. Using a qualitative approach, a description of four couples’ “lived experiences” was gathered through semi-structured interviews with each partner separately. Communication was identified as a key element in coping with the impact of MS. Men with MS were more likely to comply with changes while women tended to take on martyr roles to protect their partners. Findings suggest clinicians should facilitate open communication, recognize each partner’s intimacy needs and assist both partners to establish meaningful roles.

Resource Center comment

The document is an article on the Canadian couples’ sexuality, in which one of the members (the man) suffers from a multiple sclerosis. This article is both for professionals working with people with multiple sclerosis, for the concerned people and their partners, for the researchers… Four heterosexual couples were interviewed in a half directive and individual way, to understand the impact of the multiple sclerosis on the couples sexual life who met before the diagnosis. Among the results highlighted by the authors, the fact to work to a good communication in the marital life is vital to deal with the sclerosis in the marital and sexual life. If the sclerosis is affecting the sexual functions, couples can get used to it and use sex toys or medications for example. Sexual life is not forgotten despite the strong intimidations. Professionals working with people with a multiple sclerosis will find in the article interesting elements to support the marital and sexual life of those couples.

[Commentaire en français]

Le document est un article sur la sexualité de couples canadiens dont l’un des partenaires (l’homme) est atteint d’une sclérose en plaque. Cet article s’adresse à la fois aux professionnels au contact de personnes ayant une sclérose en plaques, à ces personnes et leur conjoint, aux chercheurs, etc. Quatre couples hétérosexuels furent interrogés, par entretiens semi-directifs individuels, pour comprendre l’incidence de la sclérose en plaque sur la vie sexuelle de couples déjà formés avant le diagnostic. Parmi les résultats mis en lumière par les auteurs, le fait de travailler à une « bonne communication » conjugale semble décisif pour composer avec la sclérose dans la vie conjugale et sexuelle. Egalement, si la sclérose touche les fonctions sexuelles, des adaptations semblent mises en place par les couples, comme l’utilisation de sex-toys, le recours à des médicaments. La vie sexuelle n’est pas abandonnée malgré les contraintes qui pèsent dessus. Des professionnels au contact de personnes atteintes d’une sclérose en plaques trouveront dans l’article des éléments intéressants pour accompagner la vie conjugale et sexuelle de ces dernières.