One Third of Asthmatic Embarrassed on Sexual Activity

The sexuality, we do not speak. Especially when it goes wrong. Yet for many asthmatics who are experiencing fear and sometimes difficult to live great sex as a result of their illness. An investigation original denounces its impact on the sexuality of patients.

"I am asthmatic and I have some difficulty with my sexuality". This spontaneous admission of a patient to letters from readers of the association Asthma and Allergies was the starting point of an unprecedented study. Based on a questionnaire developed by a sexologist Dr Michèle Pujos and a pulmonologist Dr. Marc Sapene, this survey on the incidence of asthma on sexuality has been conducted on over 300 patients.
A sex life disrupted

Asthma sexualitéLes results show a potentially disturbed sex life: 38% of respondents complained of breathing difficulties during sexual intercourse, 31% said that their asthma has an impact on their quality of life as a couple even outside sexuality. One third of asthma say they use a product for the prevention of crises before sexual intercourse. And the picture is even more black patients for so-called "persistent severe," including:

     * 46% are embarrassed by their asthma during intercourse;
     * 35% say that their respiratory problems have an impact on the success of their sexual act and 21% on the final quality of their sex;
     * 26% s'économisent when having sex, the time limit (21%) or frequency (17%);
     * Among asthmatics often having an asthma attack during the sexual act: 25% are often forced to stop during the sexual act, which alters their pleasure (48% of severe asthmatics).

But by breaking the silence that the patient has access to therapeutic solutions.
Unleashing the floor patient

Although general practitioners regularly speak of the quality of life with their asthma patients, they acknowledge some discomfort with the topic of sexuality they deem as a "sensitive subject" for 32% of them ...

Thus, doctors interviewed more readily on diseases more likely for them to generate sexual or easier to deal with (depression, herpes, diabetes) than asthma, which comes fourth position. A quarter of GPs believed that it is for patients to talk about it first. As for patients, few people dare to talk about sex, which is taboo for many people. But solutions exist, and it is a shame to deny oneself.

A good quality of life is often linked to good control of asthma, including sexuality. Each patient is obviously unique and judge the place emphasis on sexuality. However, beyond the individual aspects, quality of life as a whole ought not to be hampered by difficulties in breathing. And it is often possible!

Luc Blanchot