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Your Sex Life
- Losing interest in sex
- Is it safe to have sex?
- Change in relationships
- Practical advice to minimise stress on the heart during sex
- Useful Contacts
Loss of desire / sex drive
Some people can lose interest in sex, or come to fear sexual activities, when they develop coronary heart disease. This is often because of the fear of having a heart attack or a very bad attack of angina. Some people fear that they might die during sex. This risk is actually very low.
Anxiety and depression are also known to have an adverse effect on sexual desire. It's important to keep communicating, honestly, with each other as it is easy for a partner to feel rejected when sexual intimacy changes.
Some people find their desire for sex altered or experience impotence. This can be a side effect of drugs for angina (e.g. beta blockers) so speak to your doctor about it.
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Is it safe to have sex?
Sex should be thought of as another form of exercise, no more stressful to the heart than other normal daily activity. The stress on the heart during sexual intercourse is equal to walking briskly up and down two flights of stairs of approximately 13 steps each.
If no pain or undue breathlessness occurs then sexual intercourse should be safe.
Sexual activity should be resumed gradually and carefully in order to determine if it will bring on angina. You can take your GTN either before or during sexual activity in the same way you would use it for any other activity.
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Change in relationships
Accepting a diagnosis of angina can take time and both partners will have different ways of coping. Some people feel that their role within their relationship changes, especially if one partner takes on the caring role.
Talking to your partner about how you feel, and any worries you may have, will make it easier for you both to deal with the situation before it becomes a problem.
Retaining closeness and intimacy within your relationship will help to overcome difficulties. Remember that you can express your feelings in many different ways, through talking but also with body language and physical contact such as kissing and cuddling. Taking the first step may be the biggest hurdle to overcoming your anxiety about resuming sexual contact.
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Practical advice to minimise stress on the heart during sex
- Avoid sex within 2 hours of a bath or a heavy meal.
- Keep the bedroom and the sheets warm. An electric blanket is helpful when it is cold.
- Don't make love if you are tired at the end of the day. Wait until the morning or choose the time of day you feel at your most refreshed and relaxed.
- Avoid caffeine, smoking or alcohol before or after sex. Alcohol may raise expectations you cannot fulfil.
- Take your time.
- Sometimes simple solutions can be found to make sex more comfortable and enjoyable e.g. using different positions.
- Avoid casual sex with an unfamiliar partner. There may be mismatches that you are not aware of that can make sex more stressful to your heart.
Although this seems limiting you will adapt quite quickly to find the best circumstances for you and your partner. Remember it's possible to maintain a healthy sex life with angina.
If you or your partner have any questions or concerns regarding your sexual relationship try to talk to your doctor. If necessary he / she can refer you to a specialist for counselling. Your doctor will be used to talking about personal matters even if you are not, so try not to feel embarrassed.
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