关节炎会改变我们的关系吗？
Most couples – whether they have arthritis or not – go through phases in their relationship when their sex life is less exciting or satisfying than it was. There may be physical reasons for this but emotional factors and stress often play a part. Emotional upsets, work or money worries can all affect the balance of a relationship.
Arthritis can present a number of challenges in a relationship:
- Pain and fatigue may reduce your enjoyment of sex and other activities and interests that you share with your partner.
- 关节炎可能意味着您不能总是管理通常从事的家庭工作，或者您可能需要帮助。
- 如果您的关节炎影响您的工作，则可能会导致财务担忧。
- 患有关节炎可能会影响您的情绪和自尊心。
- 您的伴侣将担心病情如何影响您。
Although your relationship may change because of arthritis, it doesn’t have to be a negative change. Many couples find that they become closer by discussing things openly and that their relationship is stronger as a result. Talk about the changing situation and any challenges that you face so you can arrive at a solution that’s right for both of you.
For example, most people with arthritis prefer to keep as much independence as possible, so a partner taking on the role of carer will need to find the right balance between providing help and support without being overprotective. It can be difficult for a caring partner to recognise that their help isn't always wanted.
Some couples find it difficult at first to talk openly, so you need to create a comfortable, relaxed time to talk. But once open communication has started it can be a great relief for both partners.
What if I'm not in a relationship?
有些人患有关节炎的人会失去自信心，并担心建立新的关系，尤其是当他们的关节肿胀或其他可见迹象的情况下。但是，大多数关系逐渐发展，并取决于共同的利益，而不是物理考虑。
尽可能地保持您的社交联系，并想尝试新的活动，尤其是如果您现在觉得很困难。
做爱会影响我的关节炎吗？
性本身不会使您的关节炎恶化。但是，由于移动受关节炎影响的关节可能会很痛苦，而且由于性能在身体上的要求可能会引起不适，尤其是在臀部或背部受到影响的情况下。您可以尝试不同的职位，这可能对您和您的伴侣更舒适。
反应性关节炎可以通过性传播感染（STI）（例如衣原体）触发。如果您以前患有这种类型的关节炎，则应特别注意避免感染这种感染（例如，使用避孕套），因为它可能导致关节炎恢复。
涉及d information
Will arthritis affect my sex life?
There are a number of ways that arthritis can affect your sex life:
- 关节炎会影响您的情绪和一般的幸福感，反过来会影响您的性欲。
- Swollen joints can affect your self-confidence and make you feel less attractive.
- 疲劳与关节炎相关的可以减少您的性欲。您的医疗团队可以就管理疲劳和节省能量的方式就可以为您提供建议 - 我们的疲劳部门提供了更多信息。
- Painful joints may make it more difficult to move into a position you’re used to.
- 关节炎有时会导致阴道干燥，这可能会使性不舒服。水基润滑凝胶，例如KY果冻或Aquagel可能会有所帮助。您可以通过处方或从药房，超市或在线获取这些这些。油基润滑剂（例如凡士林或婴儿油）可能会刺激您的皮肤或损伤避孕套。如果您要经历更年期，这可能会导致阴道干燥 - 与您的医生讨论有关治疗的方法。
Sex isn't equally important to all couples, but if it has been important to you and your partner then you should try to find ways to meet both your needs.
大多数有关节炎的人发现他们的痛苦n vary from day to day, so you may want to make the most of opportunities on your better days. If you experiment with different positions, you should be able to find some that are more comfortable for your joints.
Will drugs affect my sex life?
大多数通常用于治疗关节炎的药物不太可能影响您的性生活，尽管类固醇有时会减少性欲或引起暂时的阳ot。如果您认为他们可能以这种方式影响您，则应与医生讨论您的药物。
通常用于治疗关节炎的药物不应降低避孕药的有效性，但如果不确定，请检查医生。
我的联合替代者会影响我的性生活吗？
如果您进行了联合替代操作，受影响的关节的疼痛可能已经干扰您的性生活。手术可能会改善您的性生活，尽管需要一些时间才能康复和伤口愈合。手术后对性感到紧张是很普遍的，但是大多数人在手术后大约六个星期开始再次开始性爱。
遵循髋关节置换术, you need to take care with certain movements for at least 12 weeks after the operation because there’s a risk of dislocating the new joint. These are, in particular, bending the leg up (flexion) and moving one leg towards the other (adduction). It’s best for you to be on the bottom and your partner on top. You also won’t be able to kneel for six weeks after the operation and you’ll have to keep your hips straight, so this may affect some of the positions you can use.
膝盖置换后，手术后六个星期无法跪下，因此这可能会影响您可以使用的一些位置。
遵循shoulder or elbow joint replacement, you should avoid any forceful or extreme movements of the arm (particularly behind your back), locking it one position or taking weight through the arms. Care should always be taken after a shoulder or elbow joint replacement as the joints can remain a little unstable indefinitely.
当您进行操作时，您的医疗团队将能够告诉您要避免哪些动作。确保您问您是否不确定任何事情 - 以前会多次问他们同样的问题。
How can we overcome difficulties with sex?
以下只是关于如何克服关节炎可能导致关系的任何问题的一些想法：
保持活跃
Your sex drive and enjoyment is generally greater if you feel fit and active. Exercising will help you keep up your muscle strength and tone and the range of movement in your joints.
阅读有关运动的更多信息和looking after your joints.
说说它
准备与您的伴侣公开谈论您的担忧，无论是身体上还是情感问题。担心疼痛可能会让您担心性，但您的伴侣也可能害怕伤害您。有时会担心这样的导致夫妻避免性和身体亲密关系。
Let your partner know if something is uncomfortable, but tell them what feels good too. If things don’t get better after you’ve talked to each other, consider involving someone from a professional organisation. Your doctor can refer you.
Plan ahead
当疼痛是一个问题时，请在做爱前大约一个小时服用止痛药。这似乎不是很自发，但是如果使性更舒适，这是值得的。
热水浴或淋浴后，您的关节也可能会更舒适 - 为什么不与伴侣分享一个呢？
Our information on fatigue can give you more tips about planning and pacing yourself to help you keep doing activities you enjoy.
放松
Massage can help relax joints and muscles, and this can form part of foreplay.
尝试不同的位置
您可以在一个或两个伴侣站立，跪着或坐着的情况下尝试许多职位。如果一个位置给您的关节带来压力，那么值得与他人进行实验。或尝试使用垫子，枕头或不同的家具来支撑您。
穿透性性别并不是实现性满足感的唯一方法。许多夫妇发现亲吻，爱抚和相互手淫同样令人愉快。口交也可能很愉快，尽管如果您有疼痛的下巴关节，可能会引起不适。
诸如振动器之类的性辅助工具可以在线或从邮购目录中获得（通常以谨慎包装发送）。这些使用比许多人意识到的要广泛得多，并且对放松疼痛的关节和肌肉以及生殖器刺激特别有用。
Who else can I talk to about sex and arthritis?
Every couple has times when their relationship is less than perfect. Having arthritis can create additional worries. Help is available if you feel that your relationship is changing in a way that you’re unhappy with or if you’re unable to resolve things between you.
尝试与您感到舒服的人讨论问题，例如朋友或其他患有关节炎的人。您可以与全科医生联系以寻求专业建议，或者，如果您参加诊所，您可能会感到更放松地与您的护士专家或团队中的其他成员交谈。
组织等组织涉及和溪have counsellors who are specially trained to help with sex and relationship difficulties. Counselling may also be available through your GP or hospital.
我们可以生孩子吗？
没有理由为什么关节炎应阻止您生孩子，但是由于以下原因，您应该在尝试婴儿之前与医生讨论它：
- Some drugs, such as磺胺嗪，可以暂时减少男性的精子数。
- 一些研究表明non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)如果在受孕期间发生，可能会增加流产的风险。
- Methotrexate和leflunomide可能对未出生的孩子有害，因此需要至少三个月（一些医生建议六个月）停止，然后才试图受孕。对于Leflunomide，您可能能够进行特殊的“冲洗”治疗方法，以更快地从体内清除药物。如果您要服用其中一种药物，请与卫生专业人员讨论避孕非常重要。
- 女人狼疮和/或抗磷脂综合征可能会出现流产的风险更大，因此您的病情和怀孕可能需要比平常更密切。如果您想生一个孩子，最好事先与风湿病团队讨论这一点。
- 有些药物可能会传入母乳中，可能对您的宝宝有害，因此最好事先与您的医生讨论，如果您想母乳喂养，可以安全使用哪种药物。
关节炎的女性可能会发现她的背部，臀部或膝盖的不适，因为体重增加。狼疮女性在怀孕期间可能会出现症状的爆发，但是rheumatoid arthritismay find their symptoms ease while they're pregnant.
Childbirth can aggravate pain in these joints, but most women can find a position that allows them to give birth naturally.
您可以在我们的患有关节炎的情况下找到更多有关尝试婴儿的信息和建议怀孕和关节炎部分。