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"&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-copd-914695&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;1&amp;quot;&amp;gt;Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; is a debilitating illness that can dramatically affect many areas of your life, &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/sex-aging-and-longevity-2223894&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;2&amp;quot;&amp;gt;including your sexuality&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Sadly, for many couples, sex and COPD most definitely do not go hand in hand, mostly because of the fear of &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/dyspnea-meaning-causes-symptoms-914898&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;3&amp;quot;&amp;gt;shortness of breath&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; during times of sexual intimacy. This fear can become so great that people with COPD may begin to avoid sexual intimacy altogether. Moreover, if they do become intimate, they may be unable to maintain sexual arousal or to reach climax.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The partner who doesn&amp;amp;#39;t have COPD may also hesitate before sexual activity, thinking that sex may not be in the best interests of the partner who has COPD. While nothing could be further from the truth, fear and anxiety surrounding these types of sexual issues can often lead to feelings of frustration, loneliness and isolation for both parties.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The good news is, avoiding sexual intimacy is not the answer and being &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/diagnosis-of-copd-914696&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;4&amp;quot;&amp;gt;diagnosed with COPD&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; does not mean the end of your sex life! With a patient partner and some sound advice regarding COPD and sexuality, you can enjoy sexual intimacy with your partner once again.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;Tips for Enhancing Sexual Intimacy with COPD&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;To follow are some things to keep in mind about sex and COPD designed to enhance sexual intimacy:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;First and foremost, talk with your partner honestly regarding your feelings about having sex. This will keep the lines of communication open and allow your partner to express their feelings in return.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;To avoid &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/what-is-bronchoconstriction-200966&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;5&amp;quot;&amp;gt;bronchospasm &amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;during intercourse, use a &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/bronchodilator-or-steroid-inhaler-3970974&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;6&amp;quot;&amp;gt;bronchodilator&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; immediately prior to and during sexual relations, if necessary.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Avoid sexual activity immediately following a heavy meal. This may increase your fatigability.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;If you use supplemental oxygen, plan on using the same amount during sexual activity. If you want, use extended tubing so there is enough to allow you to place the oxygen tank away from the bed or completely out of the room.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Make sure the room is at a comfortable temperature prior to engaging in sex. Use a fan during intercourse to keep from overheating.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Avoid &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/mixing-alcohol-and-medication-harmful-interactions-67888&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;7&amp;quot;&amp;gt;alcohol &amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;prior to having sex as it can interfere with sexual abilities.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Clear your mucus prior to engaging in sexual activity. This may lessen the severity of &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/breaking-the-dyspnea-cycle-914973&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;8&amp;quot;&amp;gt;breathlessness&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; during sex. If you are having difficulty clearing your airway, try the &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/breathing-exercises-914972&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;9&amp;quot;&amp;gt;controlled coughing technique&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Choose easy sex positions that require the least amount of energy. For example, laying side to side during intercourse is much more comfortable and uses far less energy than the top-bottom position.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Plan to have the partner who doesn&amp;amp;#39;t have COPD assume more of an active role during sex so that the COPD partner will be less fatigued.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Because sexual activity takes energy, plan to engage in sex when you are feeling most rested. If necessary, take short breaks during sex, while you continue to be intimate.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Focus on hugging, kissing and touching, rather than on the sexual act itself.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;If both partners agree, consider incorporating sexual aids to achieve a more satisfying experience.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;h3&amp;gt;More Information About Sex and COPD&amp;lt;/h3&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Now that you know how to enhance sexual intimacy in the bedroom, there are some aspects of sex and COPD that may be of further interest to you:&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Beginning an &amp;lt;a href=&amp;quot;https://www.verywell.com/the-benefits-of-walking-for-people-with-copd-914997&amp;quot; data-component=&amp;quot;link&amp;quot; data-source=&amp;quot;inlineLink&amp;quot; data-type=&amp;quot;internalLink&amp;quot; data-ordinal=&amp;quot;10&amp;quot;&amp;gt;exercise program&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt; will help you build your activity tolerance which in turn, will make sexual activity easier and reduce your shortness of breath, both in and out of the bedroom.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;While COPD may decrease the frequency and duration of sexual activity, it does not diminish sexual ability.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Many medications have side effects that may affect your sex drive. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist about this. You can also visit About.com&amp;amp;#39;s Drugs A-Z, for a complete list of medications and their side effects.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;li&amp;gt;Remember that some changes in sexuality are a normal part of the aging process and have nothing to do with COPD, such as slower arousal time or delayed orgasm.&amp;lt;/li&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/ul&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Expressing the love that you have for your partner through sexuality is a wonderful part of human nature. Having COPD or any other chronic illness should not change that.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Source: &amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;Living With COPD. The Canadian Lung Association. 2008. http://www.lung.ca/diseases-maladies/copd-mpoc/living-vivre/index_e.php.&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<https://www.verywell.com/sex-and-copd-914978>