€4t¡ng D*sorder$ and Sexual Health
There is no doubt that €Ds impact sexual well-being. sexual dysfunction is extremely common, loss of libido / sexual desire is to be expected. Especially when every spare second and space in your life is taken up my food and body.
Here I will cover a few risks, how to mitigate those and some tips for managing your eating disorders in a way to not completely destroy your intimate life.
UTI - those with eating disorders are at a higher risk of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). This is due to the decreased function of the immune system. UTI's can and will happen and one of the best way to avoid them: Urinating after sex, no matter what plumbing you have. even after being intimate with yourself or if everything was external, Go Piss Girl (gender neutral)
Anorexia Vagina - This covers quite a few things including a change of smell or taste, but also complications leading to vaginal prolapse. Reducing any change of taste or smell is possible, you can influence them. Drinking pineapple and/or cranberry juice can help with that taste! Vaginal atrophy and prolapse - due to the loss of muscle tissue, which the walls of the vagina are made out of you are at higher risk of prolapse. to reduce that risk to Kegels! you may also notice being a bit dryer..... using lube is always a good idea! you can never have too much. if you are getting friction or discomfort in your daily activities as well , throwing a bit of lube inside you won't harm before heading on with your day
Erectile Dysfunction - An extremely reasons. someone will often have this kind of ED due to blood pressure being too high, in this case too low. also hypothermia can impar penile function! keep warm. drink lots of water and have some electrolytes.
STI- Sexually Transmitted Infections. due to the same reason you are at higher risk of UTIs, you are at higher risk of STI's if you are sexually active. how can we mitigate that? Condoms!!! and Dental Dams (these are used to perform oral sex on someone with a vulva with a barrier in-between to reduce risk of oral transmission).
Loss of Libido - This is really hard to try to fix, everyone is different and it may be more physiological or mental. if it is physical, you may need to start getting things going before being turned on, jumping right in. or heaps of foreplay may be what you need.
Someone is seeing your body, naked - This is really hard for all of us I'd say. if your partner/s know about your eating disorder or body image issues be open with your issues, stay under the covers or in the dark. this is also something really challenging and really based on the individual.
Now I hope these help! if you have anything else specific to this you'd like me to look into and add, comment! if there is another health related topic you want covered comment it or flick me a message, I'm always open to them.
LJ your local Nurse and Sex Worker
