It’s common for individuals with COPD to report issues with sexual function. Still, there aren’t clear, accepted guidelines for people with COPD and sex. Both COPD and sex are complex, and each person or couple may face unique challenges.
The energy needed for sexual activity is one possible barrier. Sexual intercourse requires about the same amount of energy as climbing stairs for three to four minutes. Erectile dysfunction (ED) and other sexual performance issues may also play a role in low sexual satisfaction. About 3 in 4 men with COPD experience ED. Women with COPD often face sexual dysfunction due to depression and anxiety, as these mental health conditions can decrease libido and impair sexual desire.
The physical limitations and constant worry about health can also lead to lower self-esteem, further affecting their ability to engage in intimate relationships. These barriers can be challenging and may lead to avoiding intimacy altogether.
No matter your current challenges, having COPD doesn’t mean you need to stop living. Instead of focusing on what you can’t do, get curious about what you can do and what tools are available to help you do it. What better area of life is there to get creative with than sex?
Medication, COPD and Sex
Medication to address ED or other issues related to sexual functioning may improve your sex life. However, it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
Treatments for COPD may have side effects that impact sexual function. Conversely, COPD medications may also support your ability to be sexually active. For example, a short-acting bronchodilator may improve breathing during sex. Adding or increasing supplemental oxygen may also help.
Always talk with your provider before making any medication changes. A conversation about medications and sexual function can help you stay safe and spark a broader conversation about sexual health.
Stay Connected to Your Partner
It’s helpful to remember you’re not alone in managing COPD and sex. Connecting with your partner in a variety of ways is essential for a healthy relationship.
Practice building intimacy that isn’t tied to sex, such as:
- Bathing or showering together
- Cuddling
- Holding hands
- Massaging each other
- Sitting close
Building intimacy outside of sex will make it easier to approach challenges together.
Adaptive Equipment, Toys and Imagination
Even if you’ve had a go-to position for decades, you’re never too old to switch things up. Sex doesn’t need to mean missionary position or even penetration. Sex can encompass a wide range of practices and tools. You could try:
- Adaptive equipment for better positioning
- Experimenting with adult toys
- New positions, such as lying on your sides, front to front or front to back, to conserve energy
- Role-play
Try different techniques until you find what works for you and your partner.
Pay attention to your body and take breaks when needed. Pausing the fun doesn’t need to kill the mood. Instead, consider it an opportunity to prolong enjoyment with your partner.
A Holistic Approach to COPD and Sex
COPD treatment continues outside of the doctor’s office. Similarly, sex is affected by what happens outside the bedroom. A holistic approach to health and wellness can improve your lung health and sex life.
If you need support to get started, consider pulmonary rehabilitation. During pulmonary rehabilitation, you work with a team of specialists two to three times a week to:
- Better manage or decrease symptoms of COPD
- Establish healthy habits
- Improve mental health
- Increase endurance and strength
- Learn new ways to manage routines and stressors
While pulmonary rehabilitation isn’t specifically designed to address sexual health, you can address it as a part of your overall care plan. Plus, all of the positive changes can carry over to increased satisfaction in the bedroom.
More to Read
- 4 Steps to Improve Your COPD
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation: A Breath of Fresh Air
- COPD and Exercise: How to Benefit from Staying Active
- COPD Management and the Importance of Taming Stress
Medically reviewed by Katrina A. Roux-Bernstein, CRNP
