In fact, research shows that people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are at higher risk of sexual dysfunction and depression than people without the condition. For instance, at the November 2021 American College of Rheumatology conference, researchers presented a study on more than 400 German patients with either psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Sexual dysfunction was reported by 83 percent of psoriasis patients and 76 percent of PsA patients, compared with 45 percent of participants in a control group without either condition. In the same study, women with PsA and psoriasis reported much higher rates of depression (50 percent and 34 percent, respectively) than their control group (4 percent). Men with PsA and psoriasis fared somewhat better, with 30 percent and 23 percent, respectively, reporting depression, compared with 9 percent of men in the control group. A review published in JAMA Dermatology in January 2019 found that people with psoriasis are 5.5 times more likely to experience sexual dysfunction than people without the condition. People with psoriasis who also have anxiety, depression, or genital psoriasis were at increased risk. But it’s possible to have both psoriasis and a healthy sex life. It takes being proactive and remaining determined not to let psoriasis stand in the way of an intimate relationship with the one you love.
How to Have a Healthy Sex Life With Psoriasis
1. Talk About It
Explain to your partner that you have a skin condition and that it’s not contagious. “A lot of fear comes from ignorance,” explains Ava Cadell, PhD, EdD, a clinical sexologist in West Hollywood, California. “Put your partner at ease simply by explaining what psoriasis is and isn’t.” Discuss your psoriasis before you’re intimate, so it’s not a surprise, advises Dr. Cadell, who is the founder of Loveology University, which trains relationship coaches.
2. Speak Up
Remember that your partner can’t read your mind, Cadell says. Everyone should share their turn-ons and turn-offs, but if you have psoriasis, you need to be an even better communicator than someone who doesn’t have a chronic condition. “You need to tell your partner what makes your psoriasis feel worse and discuss what makes it feel better,” Cadell says. You’re likely to find that when you share your own ailments and insecurities, your partner will become more comfortable sharing, too. It can boost intimacy to a higher level and lead to better sex.
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. RELATED: LeAnn Rimes on Her Journey With Psoriasis
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 comfortable. You can also try underwear made for exercise that helps wick sweat away.
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.” Sex is more than just the act of intercourse.
8. Indulge in Aphrodisiacs
Some foods can help set the mood for sex when you have psoriasis. An aphrodisiac Cadell recommends for women: licorice, which contains plant estrogens and stimulates the sex glands, bringing increased levels of oxygen to the female genitals. Cadell suggests pumpkin pie or pumpkin seeds for men. They’re a top contender to increase penile blood flow. Additionally, chocolate contains a plant substance called phytosterol that mimics human sex hormones.
9. Follow Your Treatment
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.
Sex and Psoriasis
Sex is one of the best natural highs there is, Cadell notes. Sex can also help reduce stress, which is a psoriasis flare trigger. Remember, sex is enjoyed between the ears before it occurs between the legs, says Cadell. If you decide not to let your psoriasis get in your way, it won’t, and you will find you can have better sex.
