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Vaginal Lubrication in Women with Scleroderma and Sjogren's Syndrome

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Abstract

Prior to this study, there has been little published material about sexual response in women with scleroderma and Sjogren's syndrome. We therefore conducted an investigation of sexual problems and sexual knowledge in women with scleroderma. Eighty-three women with scleroderma participated in the study. Over 37% of respondents reported that they had been diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, and 56.9% of respondents reported experiencing sexual problems. Despite these experiences, however, the respondents were remarkably poorly informed about the sexual effects of scleroderma and Sjogren's syndrome. Only 4 women realized that Sjogren's syndrome can cause vaginal dryness. This ignorance is especially appalling when one considers the fact that the study participants were recruited through scleroderma organizations: women who seek out scleroderma organizations are likely to be better informed than the average patient. We urge health care providers to begin to view sexuality education as part of their mission.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chris' Corner, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    S. Chris Saad

  2. Jaimes and Associates, Unionville, Connecticut

    J. E. Pietrzykowski

  3. Lewis Dayco, Cedar City, Utah

    Sheila S. Lewis

  4. cleroderma Foundation of Maryland, Cheltenham, Maryland

    Arlene M. Stepien, Virginia Anne Latham, Sherry Messick & Carol Wetherell

  5. Scleroderma Foundation of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Shelley L. Ensz

  6. University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    Andrew E. Behrendt

Authors
  1. S. Chris Saad
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  2. J. E. Pietrzykowski
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  3. Sheila S. Lewis
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  4. Arlene M. Stepien
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  5. Virginia Anne Latham
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  6. Sherry Messick
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  7. Shelley L. Ensz
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  8. Carol Wetherell
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  9. Andrew E. Behrendt
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Correspondence to S. Chris Saad.

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Saad, S.C., Pietrzykowski, J.E., Lewis, S.S. et al. Vaginal Lubrication in Women with Scleroderma and Sjogren's Syndrome. Sexuality and Disability 17, 103–113 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021468216623

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