Parkinson’s Life recently shared a series of four articles dealing with sex, intimacy, and Parkinson’s.
The articles were jointly written by Nurse Consultant Norna Moore from Tel Aviv Medical Center and sex therapist Gila Bronner from the Institute of Movement Disorders at Sheba Medical Center, also in Tel Aviv, Israel.
In the first part of the series, Gila and Orna discuss the importance of intimacy, and give a four-step, practical guide on ways to improve closeness in a relationship.
Intimacy, they explain, is an area that “frequently goes unnoticed and un-discussed”.
The two experts recommend spending quality time with your partner, ensuring you both have moments alone to relax, committing to intimate time without the pressure to move on to sex, and sexual time.
“Couples need these four elements, even if some time passes without realising all four of them. It is important to invest in intimacy in a relationship.”
Part two of the series focuses on the significance of communicating with healthcare professionals about difficulties with intimacy, as many symptoms are common and have several solutions or forms of treatment.
Gila and Orna emphasise that people with Parkinson’s may not realise that their condition is the cause of their sexual dysfunction, which is why it is important to talk about any issues with medical professionals – and for healthcare professionals to encourage this discussion.
“A loving relationship includes encouragement of intimacy, sensuality, companionship, and friendship, as well as continued knowledge and understanding about the effects that one’s health conditions, medications, and treatment have on sexuality and functioning.”
In part three, the experts summarise some of the issues that those caring for a partner with Parkinson’s face in relationships, including a lack of time for their own needs.
Gila and Orna share ways to ensure the wellbeing of both partners, such as respecting each other’s needs, having personal time away from one another, sleeping in separate beds if sleep is being disrupted, maintaining intimacy even if it’s not sexual, having strong communication and making small, thoughtful gestures that the other will appreciate.
“Spouses and care-partners frequently face contradictory roles,” they explain. “On one hand, as intimate partners, they may have their own needs for intimacy and sexual activity. On the other hand, they are required to function as caregivers who cope with the implications of a chronic progressive illness.”
In the final part of the series, Gila and Orna discuss coping with disturbed sexual function – one of the most common non-motor symptoms in people with young onset Parkinson’s – and share the difficulties many face of sustaining a sex life due to lack of time and other priorities.
“Young people with Parkinson’s experience the disease differently. They are coping with its various symptoms while also being in the middle of life challenges.”
They say openness is crucial to sustaining a healthy sexual relationship. To tackle any issues, they advise seeking professional help when necessary, being honest with one another, and being open with children about the effects of Parkinson’s.
Orna Moore is a nurse consultant, working with families with neurodegenerative diseases. She works at the Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Israel.
Gila Bronner is a sex therapist specialising in sexual rehabilitation. She is director of the Sex Therapy Service at the Sexual Medicine Center, Tel Aviv, and a sex therapist at the Institute of Movement Disorders, Sheba Medical Center, Israel.
Story first published in Parkinson’s Life
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