Table 2. Open in new tab Sexual activity...

Table 2.

Open in new tab

Sexual activity and some of the reported reasons for sexual inactivity in women with h-EDS/HSD

Reported having sexual intercourse with partner in different time points, n (%)

Past 4 weeks

19 (22.6)

Past 3 months

2 (2.4)

Past 6 months

0 (0)

Reported self-stimulation in different time points, n (%)

Past 4 weeks

27 (32.1)

Past 3 months

2 (2.4)

Past 6 months

3 (3.6)

Reported both sex with partner and self-stimulation in different time points, n (%)

Past 4 weeks

20 (23.8)

Past 3 months

0 (0)

Past 6 months

0 (0)

No sex of any kind in different time points, n (%)

Past 4 weeks

18 (21.4)

Past 3 months

15 (17.9)

Past 6 months

11 (13.1)

Reported reasons for sexual inactivity

‘Positioning in a comfortable position is difficult for me. My hips pop out of joint, ruining the mood’.
‘I have a very low sex drive. I never crave sex … Sensory issues cause me to be disgusted by soft touching. Sex hurts, not as much since total hysterectomy bit still does. maybe due to tilted uterus?’
‘Because, to me, it’s not worth the physical pain I will most likely feel during and usually after sexual activity for me to engage in that activity’.
‘I'm too ill to have sex. I haven't been diagnosed with ME as I have long covid, but any exertion triggers PEM [post-exertional malaise]. Plus sex is now painful’.
‘PEM … lack of desire (which was not always the case until like 8 years ago)’.
‘The urge is not there, I have struggled with this my entire life. Haven't had sex in the past 3 years. It is also very painful during intercourse’.
‘Always exhausted, being touched is too painful Lack of interest/drive, lack of energy, low self-esteem, pain during sexual activity’.

Reported having sexual intercourse with partner in different time points, n (%)
Past 4 weeks	19 (22.6)
Past 3 months	2 (2.4)
Past 6 months	0 (0)
Reported self-stimulation in different time points, n (%)
Past 4 weeks	27 (32.1)
Past 3 months	2 (2.4)
Past 6 months	3 (3.6)
Reported both sex with partner and self-stimulation in different time points, n (%)
Past 4 weeks	20 (23.8)
Past 3 months	0 (0)
Past 6 months	0 (0)
No sex of any kind in different time points, n (%)
Past 4 weeks	18 (21.4)
Past 3 months	15 (17.9)
Past 6 months	11 (13.1)
Reported reasons for sexual inactivity	‘Positioning in a comfortable position is difficult for me. My hips pop out of joint, ruining the mood’. ‘I have a very low sex drive. I never crave sex … Sensory issues cause me to be disgusted by soft touching. Sex hurts, not as much since total hysterectomy bit still does. maybe due to tilted uterus?’ ‘Because, to me, it’s not worth the physical pain I will most likely feel during and usually after sexual activity for me to engage in that activity’. ‘I'm too ill to have sex. I haven't been diagnosed with ME as I have long covid, but any exertion triggers PEM [post-exertional malaise]. Plus sex is now painful’. ‘PEM … lack of desire (which was not always the case until like 8 years ago)’. ‘The urge is not there, I have struggled with this my entire life. Haven't had sex in the past 3 years. It is also very painful during intercourse’. ‘Always exhausted, being touched is too painful Lack of interest/drive, lack of energy, low self-esteem, pain during sexual activity’.

Reported having sexual intercourse with partner in different time points, n (%)
Past 4 weeks	19 (22.6)
Past 3 months	2 (2.4)
Past 6 months	0 (0)
Reported self-stimulation in different time points, n (%)
Past 4 weeks	27 (32.1)
Past 3 months	2 (2.4)
Past 6 months	3 (3.6)
Reported both sex with partner and self-stimulation in different time points, n (%)
Past 4 weeks	20 (23.8)
Past 3 months	0 (0)
Past 6 months	0 (0)
No sex of any kind in different time points, n (%)
Past 4 weeks	18 (21.4)
Past 3 months	15 (17.9)
Past 6 months	11 (13.1)
Reported reasons for sexual inactivity	‘Positioning in a comfortable position is difficult for me. My hips pop out of joint, ruining the mood’. ‘I have a very low sex drive. I never crave sex … Sensory issues cause me to be disgusted by soft touching. Sex hurts, not as much since total hysterectomy bit still does. maybe due to tilted uterus?’ ‘Because, to me, it’s not worth the physical pain I will most likely feel during and usually after sexual activity for me to engage in that activity’. ‘I'm too ill to have sex. I haven't been diagnosed with ME as I have long covid, but any exertion triggers PEM [post-exertional malaise]. Plus sex is now painful’. ‘PEM … lack of desire (which was not always the case until like 8 years ago)’. ‘The urge is not there, I have struggled with this my entire life. Haven't had sex in the past 3 years. It is also very painful during intercourse’. ‘Always exhausted, being touched is too painful Lack of interest/drive, lack of energy, low self-esteem, pain during sexual activity’.

This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only