Sexual Health Issues and Psoriasis

People with psoriasis seem to have an increased risk of sexual dysfunction, according to a recent systematic review. The review examined data from 28 previous studies, which included a total of 52,520 cases of psoriasis and over 1.8 million healthy controls. Compared to healthy controls, people with psoriasis had a 5.5-fold higher risk of sexual dysfunction.^1,2

What is sexual dysfunction?

Sexual dysfunction is a general term that encompasses any problem that occurs that prevents an individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from sexual activity. There are four categories of sexual dysfunction:³

• Desire disorders, which is a lack of desire or interest in sex
• Arousal disorders, which is an inability to become physically aroused or excited
• Orgasm disorders, which refers to a delay or inability to orgasm or climax
• Pain disorders, which includes any pain that occurs during intercourse

Research suggests that sexual dysfunction is common, occurring in about 43% of all women and 31% of all men. Sexual dysfunction is more common with increasing age and is often related to a decline in health. Some medications can also cause sexual dysfunction issues as a side effect.³

Symptoms of sexual dysfunction

In men, sexual dysfunction may occur as an inability to achieve or maintain an erection (called erectile dysfunction, or ED), delayed or no ejaculation, or premature ejaculation. In women, sexual dysfunction may occur as an inability to achieve orgasm, a lack of vaginal lubrication, or an inability to relax the muscles in the vagina to allow intercourse. Both men and women may also experience sexual dysfunction as a lack of interest in sex, an inability to become aroused, or pain during intercourse.³

Psoriasis and sexual dysfunction

The recent systematic review found that having psoriasis seemed to increase a person’s risk of developing sexual dysfunction. In addition, those with additional conditions were at an even higher risk for sexual dysfunction. The findings of the review indicated that anxiety, depression, psoriatic arthritis, and genital psoriasis were linked to the strongest evidence of association with sexual dysfunction. Increasing age was also linked to sexual dysfunction – getting older is also associated with sexual dysfunction in those without psoriasis.^1,2

The data also showed that treating psoriasis improved sexual dysfunction, although this improvement was only seen in women with psoriasis.¹

What people with psoriasis should know

While this recent report showed that people with psoriasis may be at an increased risk of sexual dysfunction, it does not mean everyone with psoriasis will have sexual dysfunction. However, if you are having any issues, you should talk to your doctor about it. There are treatments that can help with sexual dysfunction, including medications, mechanical aids, and sex therapy.