Conversations around sex and disability can be incredibly difficult to have. Please know that achieving a healthy relationship – and a healthy sex life – may require adjusting some hopes and expectations, both for you and partners.
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General
- 4 Questions to Ask a New Partner Before Having Sex
- Angry Sex: Is It Healthy?
- Naked at Our Age: Joan Price on Sex and Aging
- The Truth About Lube
- What to Do If Your Partner Has Lost Interest in Sex
- What Is Female Sexual Arousal Disorder?
- What Is Hypersexuality?
- What Is Sexual Aversion Disorder?
- Why You Have Sexual Fantasies and What They Mean
Sex and Disability
General
- 7 Tips from a Rheumatology Nurse to Help Maintain Sex and Intimacy When Living with a Chronic Illness
- 9 things wheelchair users want you to know about their sex lives
- A discussion of intimacy and illness at Medicine X: “Embrace yourself and embrace your normal”
- Activist Ericka Hart Wants You to Stop Assuming Things About Disabled People: We "Desire" Sex
- Advice from a Sexual Counselor For Chronic Patients
- An Intimate Look at the Sex Lives of People Living with Disabilities
- Are Disabled People's Sex Lives Being Ignored?
- Chronic Illness Impact on Sex Life 'Overlooked'
- Debunking Myths About Sexuality and Disability
- Disabled? Discovering Your Sexual Self
- Disabled and No Sexual Pleasure
- Disabled Sexuality: We're Here, We're Queer —And We’re Sexy!
- Disability Dharma: What Including & Learning From Disability Can Teach (Everyone) About Sex
- Discussing Disabled Sexuality Is a Radical Act
- Having Sex When You Have a Disability
- Having sex with a disability and actually enjoying it
- How People with Disabilities Have Sex
- How to Cope With Sexual Anxiety
- “I Sit on Her Face All Day”: A Conversation on Sex and Wheelchairs
- Intimacy and Sex with a Chronic Disease
- It Should Always Include Lube: Talking with A. Andrews About “A Quick and Easy Guide to Sex & Disability”
- Let's Talk About Scheduling Sex, Baby!
- Let's Talk About Sex Education and Disability
- Myths about disabled people having sex
- No Big Deal: Sex & Disability
- Pleasure, porn and power: rethinking sex and disability
- Sex and Disability: How Would It Change Your Life?
- “Sex and Intimacy in Chronic Disease” at the 2016 American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting
- Sex Talk Realness: How I Have Sex With a Disability
- (Sex)abled: Disability Uncensored (video)
- (S)Exploring Disability
- Sexual Expression for Adults with Disabilities: The Role of Guardianship
- Sexual Health And Disability: Are we afraid to talk about it?
- Sexuality & Disability
- Sexuality & Disability: Integrating the Two?
- The Intersection of Chronic Illness and Sex
Erectile Dysfunction
Please see a doctor to, at the very least, get a heart health check-up. ED can be a sign of heart disease, diabetes, and more that can be fatal if undiagnosed.
Specific Conditions
ADHD
- ADHD and Your Sex Life
- Adderall Side Effects in Men
- Effects of ADHD on Sexuality
- How ADHD Can Affect Your Sex Life
- How ADHD may impact your sex life
- How Having ADHD Can Impact Your Sex Life
- Is ADHD Causing Your Sexual Problems?
- Talking With Your Doctor About Adult ADHD
- We Have ADHD. This Is How We Have (A Lot) of Sex
Arthritis
- Don't Let Arthritis Spoil Your Sex Life
- Enjoying Sex When You Have Arthritis
- Expert Advice for Improving Your Sex Life with RA
- How can people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) thrive sexually?
- How I Have Sex: ‘The Physical Pain From Lupus Used To Prevent Me From Having Sex’
- I’m in My 30s and Have Bad Arthritis. This Is How I Have Sex
- Intimacy and Sex with RA: Things I Wish I Knew Sooner
- RA and Intimacy
- Sex and Arthritis (ACR)
- Sex and Arthritis
- Sex & Arthritis
- Sex, relationships and arthritis
- Sex With Arthritis
- Sexual Dysfunction and Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sexual Issues in Rheumatology
- Study Shows One-Third Of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Experience Sexual Dysfunction
- Talking About Painful Sex and Arthritis: A Psychologist’s Much-Needed Advice
Autism
- Autistic Sex Advice: thAutcast Episode One
- I Have Tourette's and He's on the Autism Spectrum. Here's How We Have Sex
- “Let’s Talk About Sex” with Neurodiverse Couples
- Love, Sex and Long-Term Relationships: What People with Asperger Syndrome Really Really Want by Sarah Hendrickx
- Male Asperger's Sexuality: Is Dating Impossible?
- Sex, Sexuality, and the Autism Spectrum by Wendy Lawson
- Sexual Problems And Neurodiverse Couples
- The Autistic Trans Guide to Life by Yenn Perkins and Wenn B. Lawson
Cancer
- Enjoying sex after cancer for young people
- Enjoying sex after cervical cancer
- Enjoying Sex after Ovarian Cancer
- Enjoying sex after vulval cancer
- Enjoying Sex after Womb Cancer
- Getting back into sex after womb cancer, aged 24
- Intimacy and Sexuality for Cancer Patients and Their Partners
- My Cancer Treatment Has Made Erections Difficult. This Is How I Still Have Sex
- Sex after cancer
- Sex after cancer therapy: expert tips and tricks to regain intimacy
- Sex after cancer treatment: let’s talk about it
- Sex After Prostate Cancer
- Sex After Testicular Cancer
- Sex and Breast Cancer
- Sex and Men With Cancer
- When Sex is Silent - Living with Cancer
Depression
- As if Having Depression Isn't Enough, It Can Also Ruin Your Sex Life. Here's How to Deal.
- Depression and Sexual Health
- How Depression Affects Sex
- How Depression Can Affect Sexual Health
- How to enjoy sex when you have depression
- How to Reduce Sexual Side Effects From Antidepressants
- Is Sex an Antidepressant?
- This Woman is Live-Tweeting Her Struggle to Orgasm on Antidepressants
- When Depression Meds Affect Your Sex Life
Diabetes
- Erectile Dysfunction
- How I Handle the Unexpected Sexual Side Effects of Diabetes
- Low Testosterone is twice as likely if you have diabetes
- Sex and Diabetes
- Sex and Diabetes
- Sex diabetes fitness: can we talk about them?
- Sexual Health for Men
- Sexual Implications of Emotional Health (for men)
- Sexuality and Diabetes
- Type 1 Diabetes Self-Care Guide (pdf, sexual health starts on page 158)
- Type 2 diabetes and sexual dysfunction
Multiple Sclerosis
- How to reclaim intimacy in your relationship
- I Have Multiple Sclerosis. This Is How It Affects My Sex Life
- Intimacy, Sexuality And MS
- Intimacy and Sexuality in MS (pdf)
- Multiple Sclerosis in Men and Loss of Sexual Desire
- MS International video
- National MS Society page
- Sex and Multiple Sclerosis
- The Top 10 Sex Tips for Men with Multiple Sclerosis
Pain
Back + SI Joints
- Sexual Positions That Cause Back Pain and What to Do About Them
- Sleeping and Sex Positions for SI Joint Pain
- The Best Sex Positions for People With Bad Backs
Chronic
- How I Have Sex: ‘My Chronic Pain Feels Like a Flaw That I Have to Compensate For’
- I Have Unpredictable Chronic Pain. This Is How I Have Sex
Genital
- A Primer on the Causes of, Treatments for Vaginismus
- Does vulvodynia last forever? Tyra Banks: me, myself, and my vagina
- How I Have Sex: “I Hate it When People Say Vaginismus Needs to be ‘Fixed.'”
- Living with Pudendal Neuralgia
- One-Third of Women Are Living with Sexual Pain That's Ruining Their Lives
- Painful penetration: can donuts help?
- Painful Sex Is a Real Medical Condition, But Doctors Often Miss, Dismiss It
- Sex should never be painful
- Vaginismus Explained
- Vaginismus physical therapy: pelvic physical therapy and vaginal dilators
- What is an orgasm headache?
- What is vaginismus and why does it cause painful sex?
- What You Need to Know About Vulvodynia, or Chronic Pain in the Vulva
Other Conditions
- An Overview of Genital Psoriasis
- Can I Have Sex When I'm Sick?
- Cultural Trauma Affects PCOS Patients’ Sex Drive More Than The Condition Itself
- Dysmetropsia: Dating with Alice in Wonderland syndrome
- How Asthma Affects My Sex Life
- How I Have Sex: ‘With Women, You’re Guaranteed to Cum; With Men, They’re Guaranteed to Cum’ (lumbar scoliosis)
- I Can't Have Sex Without Dislocating My Hip (EDS)
- I Have Chronic Vertigo. This Is How I Have Sex
- I Have Cystic Fibrosis. This Is How I Have Sex
- I Have Herpes. This Is How It Affects My Sex Life
- I Have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This Is How I Have Sex
- I Have Tourette's and He's on the Autism Spectrum. Here's How We Have Sex
- I Survived Severe Burns. This Is How I Have Sex
- I Was Paralyzed in a Car Accident. This Is How I Have Sex
- I'm a Gay Man With Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Here's How I Have Sex
- I'm Hard of Hearing. This Is How It Affects My Sex Life
- I'm a Little Person. My Husband Is Average Height. This Is How We Have Sex
- I'm Physically Unable to Speak. This Is How I Have Sex
- Intercourse & Pleasure With a Spinal Cord Injury
- Living with Treacher Collins syndrome: Elmo reveals his awkward sexual encounter afterthoughts
- Living with Vaginal Atrophy
- Managing Eczema on the Penis and Around the Genitals
- Menopause and Libido
- My Body Shakes Uncontrollably. This Is How It Affects My Sex Life (essential tremor)
- My Muscles Spasm Uncontrollably. This Is How I Have Sex (dystonia)
- My OCD Makes Me Anxious About Being Dirty. Here's How I Have Sex
- Peyronie's Disease
- Saints, sinners, seizures: dating with Functional Neurological Disorder
- Sex after having a stroke
- Sex and Lichen Sclerosus
- Sexual expression for people with developmental disabilities: a personal tale
- Sexuality, Fertility and Cystic Fibrosis for Adults (pdf)
- Talking About Psoriasis and Sex With Your Partner
- Talking to Your Partner When You Struggle with Hypogonadism
- The Impact of Bipolar Disorder on Sex
- Understanding Chronic Urinary Tract Infections and Sex
- We're Both Blind. This Is How It Affects Our Sex Life
- We're in Our 70s. This Is What Our Sex Life Is Like
Resources
Positions
- 6 Sex Positions For Partners With A Big Height Difference
- 7 sex positions for people with disabilities
- 7 Sex Tips For Uncoordinated People
- 8 Sex Positions For Truly Inflexible People
- 9 Fun Sex Positions That Are Way Better Than You'd Expect
- 11 Sex Positions That'll Maximize Pleasure For Both Partners
- Breaking News From Canada: Spooning Sex Position Not Actually Best One For A Bad Back
- Curvy Girl Sex: 101 Body-Positive Positions to Empower Your Sex Life by Elle Chase
- Sexual Positions That Cause Back Pain and What to Do About Them
- Sleeping and Sex Positions for SI Joint Pain
- The 9 Best Sex Positions For Hitting The G-Spot
- The Best Sex Positions for People With Bad Backs
How-to's and Guides
- 6 Toe-Curling Ways To Have An Orgasm Without Penetrative Sex
- 10 Ways To Make Your Next Oral Sex Experience Even More Amazing
- 16 Expert-Approved Tips For Sexy Breast Play
- A Beginner’s Guide to Having Really Great Anal Sex
- A Beginner's Guide to Swinging
- A Gay Man’s Guide to Eating Ass, For Straight Men
- Everything You Wanted to Know About Double Penetration
- How to Bottom For the First Time
- How to Have Good Shower Sex Without Slipping and Breaking Something
- How to Have Incredible Sex Underwater
- How To Have Your First Threesome as a Couple, According to a Sex Therapist
- How to Not Suck at Clit Sucking
- Rimming: A Definitive Guide on How to Eat Ass
- The Ultimate Guide To Having Virtual Sex With Your Partner
Books & Journal Articles
Books
If you're purchasing a book (or a few!), consider doing so through Bookshop. As an affiliate with them, I get a little kickback - at no extra cost to you. Plus, they give proceeds to locally-owned bookstores to help them survive!
- A Quick & Easy Guide to Sex & Disability by A. Andrews
- Sex and Disability by Robert McRuer
- Sex Interrupted: Igniting Intimacy While Living With Chronic Illness or Disability by Iris Zink and Jenny Palter
- The Ultimate Guide to Sex and Disability: For All of Us Who Live with Disabilities, Chronic Pain, and Illness by Miriam Kaufman, Cory Silverberg, and Fran Odette
Journal Articles
- Beck, K.M., Yang, E.J., Sanchez, I.M. et al. Treatment of Genital Psoriasis: A Systematic Review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 8, 509–525 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-018-0257-y
- Byers, E.S., and Demmons, S. (1999) Sexual satisfaction and sexual self‐disclosure within dating relationships, The Journal of Sex Research, 36:2, 180-189, DOI: 10.1080/00224499909551983
- Duarte GV, Calmon H, Radel G, Oliveira MDEF. Psoriasis and sexual dysfunction: links, risks, and management challenges. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2018;8:93-99 https://doi.org/10.2147/PTT.S159916
- Goodin BR, Ness TJ, Robbins MT. Oxytocin - a multifunctional analgesic for chronic deep tissue pain. Curr Pharm Des. 2015;21(7):906-913. doi:10.2174/1381612820666141027111843
- Blunt-Vinti, H., Jozkowski, K.N., and Hunt, M. (2019) Show or Tell? Does Verbal and/or Nonverbal Sexual Communication Matter for Sexual Satisfaction?, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 45:3, 206-217, DOI: 10.1080/0092623X.2018.1501446
- Duarte GV, Calmon H, Radel G, Oliveira MDEF. Psoriasis and sexual dysfunction: links, risks, and management challenges. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2018;8:93-99, https://doi.org/10.2147/PTT.S159916
- Jones AC, Robinson WD, Seedall RB. The Role of Sexual Communication in Couples' Sexual Outcomes: A Dyadic Path Analysis. J Marital Fam Ther. 2018;44(4):606-623. doi:10.1111/jmft.12282
- Molina-Leyva A, Salvador-Rodriguez L, Martinez-Lopez A, Ruiz-Carrascosa JC, Arias-Santiago S. Association Between Psoriasis and Sexual and Erectile Dysfunction in Epidemiologic Studies: A Systematic Review. JAMA Dermatol. 2019;155(1):98–106. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.3442
- Montesi, J. L., Fauber, R. L., Gordon, E. A., & Heimberg, R. G. (2011). The specific importance of communicating about sex to couples’ sexual and overall relationship satisfaction. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 28(5), 591–609. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407510386833
- Rancourt KM, Rosen NO, Bergeron S, Nealis LJ. Talking About Sex When Sex Is Painful: Dyadic Sexual Communication Is Associated With Women's Pain, and Couples' Sexual and Psychological Outcomes in Provoked Vestibulodynia. Arch Sex Behav. 2016;45(8):1933-1944. doi:10.1007/s10508-015-0670-6
- Rickman, R.L., Lodico, M., Diclemente, R.J., Morris, R., Baker, C., and Huscroft, S. Sexual communication is associated with condom use by sexually active incarcerated adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health. Volume 15, Issue 5, 1994. Pages 383-388, ISSN 1054-139X, 10.1016/1054-139X(94)90261-5.
- Ross, J.L., Clifford, R.E. & Eisenman, R. Communication of sexual preferences in married couples. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 25, 58–60 (1987). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03330078
- Ryan, C., Sadlier, M., De Vol, E., Patel, M., Ambramson Lloyd, A., Day, A., Lally, A., Kirby, B., and Menter, A. (2015). Genital psoriasis is associated with significant impairment in quality of life and sexual functioning. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 72:6, pg. 978-983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.02.1127
- Schick, V., Herbenick, D., Reece, M., Sanders, S.A., Dodge, B., Middlestadt, S.E. and Fortenberry, J.D. (2010), Sexual Behaviors, Condom Use, and Sexual Health of Americans Over 50: Implications for Sexual Health Promotion for Older Adults. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7: 315-329. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.02013.x
- Yang EJ, Beck KM, Sanchez IM, Koo J, Liao W. The impact of genital psoriasis on quality of life: a systematic review. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2018;8:41-47, https://doi.org/10.2147/PTT.S169389
