A literature review of the sexual health of women with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Sexual health problems are common for women with Rheumatoid Arthritis, RA. Sexual health is covered in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) by two different fields: sexual function and intimate relationships, which are included in the ICF core sets for RA. Most patients with RA are female, and there are differences concerning sexual health between women and men with RA.The aim of this study was to explore the literature concerning the effects of RA on the sexual health of female patients, and also recommend solutions to improve the sexual health of women with RA.Sexual health problems can occur before, during and after sexual activities, and can affect women's sexual health in different perspectives. The investigated areas concerning female RA-patients and sexual are general sexual problems, sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, sexual performance, and sexual functioning. RA affects sexual health as a result of pain, reduced joint mobility, fatigue, depression and body image alterations. The investigated material provides few solutions to sexual health problems of female RA-patients. The most commonly mentioned solution is increased information and communication between health professionals and patients. Some of the studies recommend physiotherapy. Further research is needed to understand which types of intervention can help women with RA to improve their sexual health.

Systematic literature review on ICF from 2001 to 2009: its use, implementation and operationalisation

“…A total of 47 papers described the use of ICF in the contexts of a specific health condition, the most frequent being stroke [439,469,470,472,473], multiple sclerosis [444,464,465,467,477], rheumatoid arthritis [440,443,449,454,474], traumatic brain injury [455,457,459] and HIV/AIDS [441,446,447].…”

Health Care Students’ Attitudes Towards Working with Sexual Health in Their Professional Roles: Survey of Students at Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Programmes

“…However, health care providers often lack education concerning sexological issues, and their attitudes towards working to promote sexual health can be challenged by their own believed non-importance of sexual health for persons with disease or disability (Esmail, Darry, Walter, & Knupp, 2010;Low & Zubir, 2000). Sexual health is strongly related to feelings of well-being and general health (Field et al, 2013;Lindau & Gavrilova, 2010;Ratner, Erekson, Minkin, & Foran-Tuller, 2011), and previous research has shown that rehabilitation can promote sexual health (Kristina Areskoug- Josefsson & Gard, 2015;K. Areskoug-Josefsson & Oberg, 2009;Egan et al, 2013;Josefsson & Gard, 2012;Rosenbaum, 2006).…”

Assessment of Marital Adjustment and Sexuality in Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…In contrast to our country, this rate was reported higher in studies from different countries. For instance, the rate of sexual dysfunction among women with RA was reported to be 45.7% by El Miedany et al, 11 and Josefson et al 10 found a rate between 36-70%. The sexual satisfaction of couples might be influenced by social and personal factors, and expectancies on sexuality might vary across cultures.…”

“…Limitations in hand movements may limit the caressing of the partner, and limitations of bigger joints may negatively affect potential sexual intercourse positions. 9 Areskoug-Josefsson et al 10 reported that the physical, psychological and emotional effects of RA might lead to sexual problems which further affect the close relations of the patients. El Miedany et al 11 showed that 45.7% of the female patients with RA have a sexual dysfunction disorder (SDD), and secondary Sjögren syndrome, pain score, cardiovascular disorders, hip involvement, disease activity and the number of tender joints are associated with SDD.…”