By Dr. Ejaz Danish Physiotherapist
Lahore Spine Care
Can Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health? Causes, Pain Relief & Treatment?. Lower back pain, buttock pain and pain down the leg are all well known to be caused by sciatica. But, there are many who don’t want to discuss another important issue: how sciatica can impact sexual health and intimacy.
You are not the only one who has an increase in pain during or after sex. Some movements may be uncomfortable, confidence may be diminished and intimacy affected due to Sciatica. Luckily, most people can retain a healthy and satisfying sex life, with the right treatment, ergonomic advice and physiotherapy.
This article provides information on how sciatica impacts sexual health, its causes and how to alleviate pain safely.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition that causes pain due to the irritation or compression of the largest nerve in the body. Usually pain begins in the lower back and radiates through the buttock and down one leg.
Common symptoms include: (Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health)
- Sharp or burning pain in the buttock/leg area
Numbness or tingling
Muscle weakness
Worsens with sitting
Trouble getting up from sitting positions, or from extended sitting periods.
Sciatica is commonly caused by:
- Herniated lumbar disc
Degenerative disc disease- computer work causing sciatica
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Piriformis syndrome
Spondylolisthesis- Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health
Is Sciatica capable of having an impact on sexual health?
Yes.
Although the condition of sciatica does not affect your sexual function directly, the pain, nerve irritation, muscle stiffness and fear of movement can make sexual activity uncomfortable or difficult(Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health)
Typical signs and symptoms of sciatica include:
- Dysfunction with some movements
When intimacy is added to the mix, back pain becomes worse.
Having trouble positioning the body in comfortable positions
Less confidence due to pain
Worry about getting closer to others might make them feel worse.- These are the challenges faced by most people, and can be enhanced by proper treatment and communication.
- Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health
Why does Sciatica Affect Pornography?
Sexual activity is performed using movements of the spine, pelvis and hips.
Certain positions can at times aggravate the irritated sciatic nerve or put pressure on the lower back.
Do you know how Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health?
Often pain is caused by:
- Forward bending
Twisting movements
Sustained rounded back posture.
Hip flexion that is too deep, too wide, or too far.
The guarding of muscles due to pain- Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health
The pain typically isn’t caused by the sexual activity, but by the underlying spinal problem.
Is there a difference between Sciatica in Men vs Women?
Men and women are equally at risk of experiencing intimacy-related pain from sciatica(Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health)
Men may notice:
- More pain in the lower back during thrusting motion
Difficulty with maintaining comfortable positions
After sex, muscles are tight.- Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health
Women may experience:
- Pain during some pelvic and/or hip movements
Pain in the lower back after sitting in a position for a long time
More symptoms following sexual activity
It is usually caused by mechanical stress on the irritated nerve, not by malfunction of the organs involved in reproduction.
Is Sciatica a cause of ED?
At this time, uncomplicated sciatica is not known to cause any direct erectile dysfunction.
In some people, however, severe compression of the lumbar nerves or chronic pain, poor mobility, stress, anxiety or possibly some medications may have a secondary effect on the functioning of the sexual organs.
Sudden onset, persistent or simultaneous presence of numbness in the groin or of bladder or bowel trouble with erectile dysfunction warrants urgent medical review.
- Sciatica is painful and it can make sex difficult.
- Sciatica can make sex difficult and painful.
- Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health
Generally people don’t need to stop having sex. However, it is best to lessen the strain on the lower back and sciatic nerve.
Helpful strategies include:
- Choose positions that keep your spine in a neutral position.
Do not sudden twist or bend forwards deeply.
Take it easy and discuss comfort with your partner.
Support lower back or hips with pillows as necessary.
Discontinue if pain becomes severe.
Return to activity slowly when symptoms are getting better.
Each person will be most comfortable in a different position, so it is important to discover what position works for you.
Can Physiotherapy Help?
Yes.
Physiotherapy deals with the causes of sciatica instead of just covering up the pain.Sciatica Its important to understand that Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health
Treatment may include:
- Comprehensive spinal assessment
Manual therapy
Core stabilization exercises
Nerve mobilization techniques
Hip mobility exercises
Postural correction
Safe movement patterns education
Tips on how to improve posture throughout the day.
Exercise-based rehab and patient education are effective in reducing pain, improving function and decreasing the risk of reoccurrence of symptoms.
Exercises which may help:
A Physiotherapist may suggest exercises like:
- Walking
Pelvic tilts
Core strengthening
McKenzie extension exercises (when appropriate)
Gentle hamstring stretching
Hip mobility exercises
Gliding exercises for the Sciatic nerve.
Not all exercises are appropriate for all patients and the one that is most appropriate will depend on the cause of the patient’s sciatica.
Making changes to your lifestyle to help recovery (Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health)
There are simple daily activities actions to help minimize symptoms:
- Try not to sit for a long time.
Keep to a healthy body weight.
Exercise regularly.
Improve workstation ergonomics.
Use a good quality bed mattress.
Stop smoking.
Lift objects using proper technique.
These help to alleviate stress on the lower back and aid in long-term healing.
When to visit a Physiotherapist?
If you do have:
A pain that persists for more than 2 weeks
Pain that radiates down the leg below the knee.
Numbness or tingling that does not go away.
Muscle weakness
Difficulty walking
Repeated attacks of sciatica
Pain that interferes with your ability to participate in certain aspects of your life, such as sexual relations and daily activities.
With early treatment, recovery from back pain can often be quicker and chronic pain less likely.
Why opt for Lahore Spine Care?
Dr. Ejaz Danish and his expert Physiotherapist and Nutritionist team offers evidence-based physiotherapy and diet therapy for:
- Sciatica
Lower back pain
Herniated discs
Cervical and Lumbar radiculopathy
Neck pain
Sports injuries
Postural disorders
Our treatment is based on the following:
- Comprehensive assessment
Manual therapy
Individualized exercise programs
Core stabilization
Postural correction
Patient education
Long-term prevention strategies
Conclusion
Sciatica may impact sexual function by making specific movements uncomfortable and/or cause lower back or leg pain during sexual activity. This does not mean, however, that you can’t have any sex whatsoever. Most people can resume a healthy and active sexual life with the proper diagnosis, physiotherapy, and ergonomic recommendations, along with a gradual rehabilitation program.
When your sciatica is impacting your daily life or your quality of life, it can be helpful to get assessed early, and treated in a safe and confident manner.remind that Sciatica Affect Your Sexual Health.
References
- Jensen RK, Kongsted A, Kjaer P, Koes BW. Diagnosis and Treatment of Sciatica. BMJ. 2019;367:l6273.
- Delitto A, George SZ, Van Dillen LR, et al. Interventions for the Management of Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2021;51(11):CPG1–CPG60.
- Foster NE, Anema JR, Cherkin D, et al. Prevention and Treatment of Low Back Pain: Evidence, Challenges, and Promising Directions. The Lancet. 2018;391(10137):2368–2383.
- Qaseem A, Wilt TJ, McLean RM, Forciea MA. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2017;166(7):514–530.
- McGill SM. Low Back Disorders: Evidence-Based Prevention and Rehabilitation. 3rd Edition. Human Kinetics; 2016.