Sex Life & Dating with Psoriasis - Tips for a Healthy Relationship
We all know that dating can be tricky and hard to maneuver. It is an unfamiliar territory for most and can be scary and intimidating. While this is true for most people, for those of us with psoriasis, these feelings and experiences of fear and intimidation can be heightened because of our fear of a flare up or the embarrassment of the flakes and plaques on our skin. There is no reason to feel embarrassed about your psoriasis, and here are a few tips to help keep you feeling confident and sexy while dating:
The most important thing to remember is to not feel embarrassed or ashamed of your psoriasis. When it comes to dating and your sex life, the best policy is honesty with your partner. If you are open and honest about how you are feeling about your psoriasis, then it makes it easier for your partner to know how you are feeling. If there is an open line of communication regarding your psoriasis, then it makes the topic feel more casual and less intense and stressful for both you and your partner.
If the reason for the embarrassment or feeling of shame is due to plaques or redness and flakiness around the genital area, then it is important to speak to your dermatologist about this issue and make sure that they are aware of your concerns. Sometimes, Dermatologists think that the psoriasis has been taken care of and is doing much better, but the patient may still feel embarrassed if there is one plaque or patch left around the genital area. It is important to make your dermatologist aware of all of your concerns so they can continue to offer different treatment plans that may work better for your particular situation.
If you or your partner have psoriasis, you should aim to make it a mutual battle together, and something that you are both involved in and aware of. Instead of making it an individual fight, make it a fight that the both of you can be in together. Make sure that you and your partner are both fully aware of the treatment options and involved in you or your partner’s psoriasis journey.
My last bit of advice is to communicate with your partner about what you need out of the relationship. If you are feeling insecure, then tell them that you need more reassurance from them or visa versa. It is important that both you and your partner know what the other person needs and to work towards a common goal of making you or your partner feel better about themselves and not ashamed or embarrassed about their psoriasis.