Please note: The current Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic is fast moving, and reactions to it seem to update not just day-by-day but minute-by-minute. Obviously, this site was not designed to bring you the very latest developments in a ‘breaking news’ story such as this. Instead, this site will continue to include news and opinions relating to major events, policy changes, and so on.
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Sexual dysfunction is common in people with MS, and it’s easy to figure out why. Sexual arousal begins in our central nervous system, with everyone’s brain sending messages to our sexual organs along nerves running through our spinal cords.
And, whereas all of us with MS have different symptoms and problems, those sexual arousal messages often get disrupted as they travel down the spinal cord.
Dr Oxiris Barbot, commissioner, NYC Health.
But let’s say, you never had or have managed to overcome those difficulties. Where, you may well ask, does that leave you in relation to sex in these times of the coronavirus Covid-19 and social distancing? After all, it’s more than a bit tricky to have, let alone enjoy, sex while maintaining a gap of two metres or six feet. Although, I suppose, it might be fun to try!
Those friendly people at NYC Health (New York City), led by commissioner Dr Oxiris Barbot, have some advice for us.
Well, as you’d expect, the very first thing they say is that we should “stay home and minimise contact with others to reduce the spread of Covid-19.”
Masturbation is safe
You are your own safest sex partner, is the advice. It continues: “Masturbation will not spread Covid-19, especially if you wash your hands (and any sex toys) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after sex.”
For anyone who prefers to have sex with another person, as opposed to enjoying the solo pleasure of masturbation, there is strict ‘advice’.
Your safest partner is someone you live with, and: “You should avoid close contact – including sex – with anyone outside your household.”
Actually, if you are obeying the ‘stay at home’ restrictions, especially in an area under lockdown rules, your sex partner will have to be someone with whom you live. However, NYC Health’s advice goes on: “If you do have sex with others, have as few partners as possible.”
Take care during sex
It’s not just about who you have sex with, though, what you do also matters. The advice is:
- Kissing can easily pass Covid-19. Don’t kiss anyone outside your small circle of close contacts.
- Rimming (helpfully! described by NYC Health as ‘mouth on anus’) might spread virus, entering by mouth.
- Using condoms and dental dams can help by reducing contact with saliva and faeces.
- Washing hands, face, sexual organs, and sex toys – before and after sex – is more important than ever. Wash them with soap and water for 20 seconds each.
Coronavirus COVID-19: Some facts
- COVID-19 is the official name of the virus in this pandemic, as designated by the WHO (World Health Organization). It is the short form of COronaVIrus Disease – Started 2019. Coronavirus is the family to which it belongs.
- Coughs and sneezes can spread the virus to anyone within about two metres or six feet.
- Virus can spread through direct contact with saliva and mucus.
- COVID-19 has been in faeces of infected people.
- COVID-19 has NOT yet been found in semen nor vaginal fluid.
- It is known that other coronaviruses do NOT effectively transmit through sex.
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Spelling
Please note that being born in the UK, all my posts, are written using British English spelling.
For example:
Centre not center (except in names, Centers of Disease Control) Colour not color Diarrhoea not diarrhea Haematology not hematology Haematopoietic not hematopoietic
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50shadesofsun.com is the personal website of Ian Franks. He enjoyed a successful career as a journalist, from reporter to editor in the print media. He gained a Journalist of the Year award in his native UK. More recently, he was a freelance medical writer and editor for various health information sites. Ian received a diagnosis of MS in 2002 and now lives in the south of Spain. He uses a wheelchair and advocates on mobility and accessibility issues.
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Note: Health-related information available on 50shadesofsun website is for your general knowledge only. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Ian is not a doctor, so cannot and does not give you medical advice. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues. Also, consult a doctor before starting a new diet or exercise programme. Any opinions expressed are purely his own unless otherwise stated.
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