Muscular dystrophy and sexual health

What is it about?

The aim of this review was to explore the existing literature concerning muscular dystrophy (MD) and sexual health focusing on patient information and support by health care professionals. MD is a group of hereditary, muscular disorders with progressive muscular weakness. MD gives symptoms such as pain, fatigue, physical and psychological impairment. The relation between sexual health and general health lead to the question of how good sexual health is or can be enabled by healthcare professionals for persons with severe chronic diseases, such as MD. The importance of sexual health for all is included in the WHO definition of good sexual health, the individual's right to good sexual health and the connection between general well-being an sexual well-being. This article sums up the scarce research in this field and there is a need for further research concerning sexual health.

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Why is it important?

Further research regarding sexual health and MD is necessary to explore how persons with MD experience their sexual health and what type of support that is needed. It is also necessary to develop clinical advice for how health care professionals working with persons living with MD can support the patient‘s sexual health and give relevant information to patients/partners/relatives.

Perspectives