Gabrielle Rothman 3/17/2017 FHS 2450 Human Sexuality U4E1 Health and Romantic Relationships

Question:
Do you know anyone who experiences chronic health problems? How have (or how might)
those problems affect romantic relations and sexuality? What would you recommend for others
with similar health problems?

Answer: Word Count: 541

Chronic health issues can have a very negative impact on how people portray their

success in romantic relations and how they view their sexuality. I have known someone

personally for many years that has battled a chronic skin disorder called Hidradenitis Supprativa.

For her privacy we will call her Jane. It is a very disfiguring skin condition where Janes body

attacks its sweat and hair follicles creating inflammations and painful abscesses. Her doctors

have tried everything from antibiotics, laser hair removal/treatment of sites, surgical removal of

skin and now biologic injections. Jane is in the most advanced stage where it has progressed

from small lesions on the inner thighs and groin to her entire body.

Jane has battled this disorder since she was 8 years old, which is very uncommon, and

she is now 23. Due to the extensive treatments, this disorder has left Jane very scarred

emotionally and physically. The majority of her scars are in her groin and perineal area. These

scars are from the lesions themselves that have formed, and from multiple surgeries that she has

undergone to remove damaged tissue. Between the scars and recurring lesions, she finds it very

hard be intimate and open with people as to why. Jane has experienced a variety of reactions

ranging from curiosity to skepticism about whether she is lying about STDs. With each negative

reaction she has become more and more reluctant to be romantic with anyone for fear of

rejection.
 Since sexuality is vital in regard to your self-image and to the quality of your

interpersonal relationships, the onset of an illness begins a major challenger for the individual

and couple (Knox & Milstein, 2017, pg. 266). Many people find it hard to be in romantic

relations or to find their own sexuality due to many chronic health issues. Ive also personally

know many who battle with things ranging from Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome,

Erectile Dysfunction, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. The biggest setback is that they are

exhausted of jumping through hoops to appease those they are with or are too ashamed to talk

about their health problems. The biggest thing they need to know is that there is hope.

The one thing my friend Jane has learned is that for every negative experience there is

always one positive one. There are people out there that are open to differences in body image

and can look at a scar for what it is; a battle that she has fought or is fighting and has won. Jane

still battles with this concept, but I know that she would say one thing above any suggestion.

Your disease or illness does not define you, it is simply one element that helps shape who you

are as a person just like your sense of humor or hair color. The body is different for every

individual and those differences are what make you special from someone else. Once Jane was

able to separate her sexuality from her disorder, she was better able to embrace the best qualities

about herself and use them to project her sexuality. In my personal opinion, those you surround

yourself with in interpersonal relationships are those that love you for every part of you; the good

and the bad.

REFERENCES

Knox, D., & Milstein, S. (2017). Human Sexuality: Making Informed Decisions (5th ed.) [with

Salt Lake Community College supplement]. Redding, CA: BVT Publishing.