There are a many medical conditions and disabilities that make it difficult to enjoy a normal sex life.

For example, sexual intercourse may be difficult for people with any of the following conditions:

• paralysis (following a stroke or a spinal injury)
• severe arthritis
• heart failure
• severe respiratory problems (such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema)
• kidney (renal) failure.

Numerically, the problem which most often affects people’s sex lives is heart disease.

Heart attacks and heart failure (cardiac insufficiency) are common, and can easily make patients feel frightened about re-starting sexual intercourse.

Unfortunately, a lot of people are embarrassed about discussing such issues. So a man or woman may find it hard to talk about his or her sexual problem or to ask for any kind of help. A reluctance to discuss things often makes the problem worse.

Please do try and talk matters over with your partner and your doctor. Read the rest of this entry »