Psoriasis can’t kill you, but it can kill your desire for sex. Recent studies have shown that there’s an undeniable link between psoriasis and sexual dysfunction. This autoimmune skin condition can affect not only your sex life but also your overall quality of life.

            Psoriasis can negatively impact your self-esteem, as well as cause depression and anxiety. However, it’s not just the psychological effects of psoriasis that contribute to sexual dysfunction. Here’s how psoriasis can make you sexually dysfunctional.

OVERVIEW

            When you have psoriasis, the life cycle of your skin cells is shorter than normal. That’s because your immune system causes new skin cells to rapidly form and build up on the surface of your skin.

            Usually, new skin cells form below your skin and then they gradually rise to the surface. The old skin cells on your skin surface typically fall off. The entire process normally takes about a month. However, if you have psoriasis, that period is shortened to just several days. Hence, new skin cells rise up even before the old skin cells fall off.

            As a result, your skin cells build up and form scaly patches. This abnormal skin cell buildup usually affects the elbows and knees, but they can also form on your neck, face, scalp, hands, and even on the skin of your penis.

            You may feel that having psoriasis makes you look different, to say the least. But the real problem is that the patches of scaly skin are actually very itchy and sometimes extremely painful. Moreover, there is no cure for this chronic inflammatory disease. All the available treatments can only help you manage the symptoms.

TYPES OF PSORIASIS

            Plaque psoriasis is one of the most common forms of the disease. This is the one that’s usually manifested as plaques which appear covered with silvery scales. Dry, red skin form raised plaques on the surface of your skin. These plaques can appear on any part of your body. In some cases, the plaques even form on the inside of the mouth.

            If you have nail psoriasis, your nails will appear pitted and discolored. The affected nails may become loose and even get separated from your nail bed. In more severe cases of nail psoriasis, the affected nails crumble.

            Approximately 10%-30% of those who suffer skin symptoms are also affected by psoriatic arthritis. When you have this type of psoriasis, not only do you suffer from an inflamed, scaly skin, but you also suffer from painfully swollen joints. The progressive joint damage caused by psoriatic arthritis may eventually result in permanent deformity.

            Pustular psoriasis is not as common as plaque psoriasis, however, this form of the disease causes other symptoms such as chills, fever, and even diarrhea. When you have pustular psoriasis, your skin will initially feel tender and become red.

            Then after only a few hours, blisters containing pus will appear on the affected area. These pus-filled blisters usually develop on the palms or soles. If you have diffused or generalized pustular psoriasis, however, the blisters may form anywhere on your body.

            Inverse psoriasis is the type of psoriasis that usually affects the folds of your skin such as those found in your armpits, buttocks, and genitals. Instead of dry, scaly skin, you’ll see red patches of smooth but inflamed skin on the affected areas. When you sweat or when your clothes rub on the affected skin, it can cause your condition to worsen.

            Inverse psoriasis is also one of the most common types of the disease that affects the genitals. When you have genital psoriasis, the skin on your penis will feel sore and itchy, especially on the areas where dry, smooth red patches of skin form. These patches can also form on your upper thighs, the crease between your groin and thigh, and above your genitals.

PSORIASIS AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

            The results of recent studies indicate that men with psoriasis tend to have higher risks of developing erectile dysfunction. Experts suggest that the impaired erectile function in men with psoriasis may be due to the psychological effects of psoriasis, which include anxiety, low self-esteem, and stigmatization.

            Psoriasis can trigger feelings of insecurity and loss of confidence. The disease can also make you worry about your appearance and how your partner would react after seeing the strange-looking red patches on your skin. These emotions can lead to a reduced libido, and they can even make you want to avoid sex or any intimate contact whatsoever.

            Psoriasis is also known to cause depression which, in turn, can result in various forms of sexual dysfunction. In fact, depression is associated not only with reduced libido but also with erectile dysfunction.

            If the skin condition affects your genital areas, it can also cause poor genital self-image. Genital psoriasis may also result in sexual performance anxiety, especially if you’re too preoccupied with the way your penis looks. You may end up worrying excessively about whether your partner will be satisfied or if you can actually perform sexually.

            In addition, because psoriasis can cause the affected areas to become itchy and painful, you might also experience some discomfort while you’re having sex. If your penis suddenly becomes extremely itchy, it might kill the mood if you suddenly stop making love to your partner just to scratch your penis to relieve the itchiness.

            For those with genital psoriasis, the friction on the penis skin caused by penetrative sex can also cause unbearable pain. If wearing tight underwear can already make your penis itch and burn, you’ll probably feel twice the discomfort when you’re having sex. Hence, the pain and the discomfort can also make you want to avoid future sexual encounters.

MANAGING SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION WHEN YOU HAVE PSORIASIS

            The truth is that you can still engage in sex even when you have psoriasis. If your desire for sex has lessened or if you’re having problems maintaining your erection, you can take natural supplements.

            They are one of the safest and most effective male sex enhancement supplements for enhancing your sexual desire and improving your erectile function. They contain natural ingredients that can significantly increase your testosterone levels and restore your libido.