Genital Psoriasis And How It Affects Your Sex Life

Cell turnover is a process in which old and dying skin cells are degraded and replaced by new skin cells. This is a natural process and each cellular cycles takes about one month to complete, but sometimes this process may become more frequent due to problems in the immune system.

Genital Psoriasis is marked by abnormally high cellular turnover, and very short cell cycles (days instead of one month). Excessively high cell turnover results in the accumulation of damaged skin cells on the surface leading to reddish, scaly and thick patches on skin, also termed as psoriasis. Psoriasis is not contagious, it does not spread sexually or by any other physical means of contact. There are various topical creams and ointments along with injections and oral medicines that can help in managing the symptoms of psoriasis. However, sometimes it may get aggravated due to stress.

How Does Psoriasis Affect A Person Sexually?

The lesions of psoriasis can appear on any part of the body; including the genitals. Flares in the region of vagina, vulva, pubis or anus can make sexual intercourse painful and unpleasant. In addition, intense sexual activity during an active flare of psoriasis can also cause bleeding and burning sensation.

Psoriasis in males can affect scrotum, penis, pubis and upper thighs. Research indicates that psoriasis in males is associated with other disorders/diseases like erectile dysfunction, hypertension, depression, diabetes and heart diseases. In fact erectile dysfunction is quite common in men with poorly managed psoriasis.

Psoriasis not only affects a person physically but can also have a psychological effect on affected individuals. Both men and women feels ashamed of their cosmetic appearance and red scaly patches on their body, making them think that their partner might not want to get intimate with them.

What Should People With Genital Psoriasis Do?

Consulting a professional dermatologist and getting proper treatment is a must. But, besides this there are few other things to look after.

1. Talk to your partner about it: It is highly recommended to talk to your partner regarding psoriasis. Take them in confidence and tell them how you feel about it and explain them in detail, what psoriasis is? Most important thing is to tell and assure them that this disease is not contagious at all and it won’t get transferred to them via sexual contact. Your partner might have a lot of questions and concerns, answer them nicely and if required, speak to your doctor for extra help.

2. Counselling/ support group: As mentioned above, poor management of psoriasis may have deleterious impact on both physical and psychological health. It is natural to feel depressed and become anxious when looking at the red flares and lesions on the body and thinking about your intimate relationship. Consider professional help and counselling sessions on how to talk about it with your partner. It will help you in raising your esteem and confidence. Joining support groups also helps, as you will get to learn from the experiences of other people in the same situation.

3. Genital psoriasis and sex:

For people living with genital psoriasis, sex can be difficult. Discuss it with your partner and explore other ways of getting pleasure that are less painful. This includes looking for different sexual positions as well. Men who have psoriasis in penis can reduce the irritation by applying lubricant beneath a condom. If your anxiety due to body appearance is hindering with your intimacy, look for alternative options; such as engaging in sexual intercourse in romantic dim lights.

Psoriasis is a disease related to immune system and can be managed with medications. Don’t let it control your sex life. Talk about it with both your doctor and your partner.

References

1. MEEuwIS, K. A., De Hullu, J. A., INTHOuT, J., Hendriks, I. M., Sparreboom, E. E., Massuger, L. F., ... & Van Rossum, M. M. (2015). Genital Psoriasis Awareness Program: physical and psychological care for patients with genital psoriasis. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 95(2), 211-216.

2. Guglielmetti, A., Conlledo, R., Bedoya, J., Ianiszewski, F., & Correa, J. (2012). Inverse psoriasis involving genital skin folds: successful therapy with dapsone. Dermatology and therapy, 2(1), 1-9.

3. Maaty, A., Al Shaymaa, H., Gomaa, A. H., Mohammed, G. F., Youssef, I. M., & Eyada, M. M. (2013). Assessment of female sexual function in patients with psoriasis. The journal of sexual medicine, 10(6), 1545-1548.