Table of contents:
- How do you practice safe sex if you have lung disease or respiratory problems?
- 1. Make sure you are both fit
- 2. Choose the right time
- 3. Listen to your body
- 4. Use bronchodilators
If you or your partner has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy sex. COPD is not a barrier to being happy with your partner. You can still feel the satisfaction of making love even though you have COPD. Here are tips for safe sex if your partner has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
How do you practice safe sex if you have lung disease or respiratory problems?
If you suffer from respiratory problems, the thought of having sex can be a concern in itself. This could be related to the fear of having trouble breathing during sex, disappointing your partner or feeling too tired.
It is not impossible, this concern causes COPD patients to avoid intimacy. Couples with COPD may also fear that later sexual activity will only worsen COPD symptoms.
However, withdrawing from intimacy or giving in to sexual activity is not the answer, sex is a necessity after all. COPD patients and their partners can still get satisfaction from sexual activity by following these safe sex tips.
1. Make sure you are both fit
Make sure that someone with COPD feels fit before having sex. If you or your partner have any doubts about this, consult your doctor about a program that can improve your fitness.
Certain hospitals offer specific rehabilitation programs to increase your lung capacity. This program is run under supervision so you don't have to panic if you suddenly become short of breath while doing it. If your doctor allows you to exercise independently, start exercising regularly. You can start by walking or doing light exercise.
2. Choose the right time
According to Barbara Rogers, a President and CEO of emphysema or COPD association in New York, said that great sex is not sex that consumes a lot of energy. If you can climb two steps or walk quickly, it means you can still have sex normally.
However, it is still highly likely that people with COPD will feel tired during sex. To overcome this, you and your partner can schedule a time to have sex so that your energy is not too drained. You can give tantalizing cues to tell your partner that you want "that" thing now and feel fit enough for it so that this "scheduling" doesn't feel too monotonous.
3. Listen to your body
People with COPD will usually experience fatigue easily, and this can have an impact on sexual arousal. Pay attention to what your body feels, so you can find out what things are making you tired.
Since sex can drain a lot of energy, have sex when your energy levels are high. Don't assume you have to wait for bedtime. You can do this when your energy is good.
4. Use bronchodilators
People with COPD usually have bronchospasm, namely spontaneous muscle contractions or narrowing of the bronchial walls, humans will have difficulty breathing when the bronchials constrict, with the level of tightness very mild (almost imperceptible) to severe.
This can happen during sexual activity, to reduce this risk, use a bronchodilator before sex. Bronchodilators are a group of drugs that can be used to improve breathing. Bronchodilators work by expanding the bronchi (respiratory tract) and relaxing the muscles in the lungs so that the breathing process becomes lighter and smoother.
The most important thing when it comes to maintaining relationships when you have COPD is communication. You have to talk to your partner. Explain to your partner how current conditions require adjustment. You and your partner should be able to express feelings to each other so that every problem can be discussed and resolved together. You can still get sexual satisfaction by paying attention to these safe sex tips.
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