Psoriasis can affect any part of your body. When it affects your genitals — and it can — sex can be uncomfortable. Plus, visible raised discolored plaques anywhere on your body can make you feel self-conscious.
In fact, research shows that people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have a higher risk of sexual dysfunction and depression. Specifically, a review of research found that people with psoriasis are 5.5 times more likely to experience sexual dysfunction than people without the condition. And people with psoriasis who also have anxiety, depression, or genital psoriasis were at further increased risk. According to another study, the disease affects the sexual life of about half of people with psoriasis.
But it’s possible to have both psoriasis and a healthy sex life. It takes being proactive and remaining determined not to let psoriasis stand in the way of an intimate relationship. Here are some tips for making it happen.
1. Talk About It
Explain to your partner that you have a skin condition and that it’s not contagious.
“A lot of fear comes from ignorance,” says Ava Cadell, PhD, EdD, a clinical sexologist in West Hollywood, California. “Put your partner at ease simply by explaining what psoriasis is and isn’t.” Discuss your psoriasis before you’re intimate, so it’s not a surprise, advises Dr. Cadell. Remember, sex is enjoyed between the ears before it occurs between the legs, she says.
2. Speak Up
Remember that your partner can’t read your mind, Cadell says. Everyone should share their turn-ons and turn-offs, but if you have psoriasis, you need to be an even better communicator than someone who doesn’t have a chronic condition.
“You need to tell your partner what makes your psoriasis feel worse and discuss what makes it feel better,” Cadell says. Be open and tell your partner if there are areas of your body that you’d rather not have touched — or be specific about how and where you’d like to be touched. You’re likely to find that when you share your own ailments and insecurities, your partner will become more comfortable sharing, too. It can boost intimacy to a higher level and lead to better sex.
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3. Boost Your Self-Confidence
“If your psoriasis plaques are really bad, and people are looking at you like you’re a leper, it’s hard to feel desirable,” says Madelyn Petrow-Cohen, a licensed clinical social worker and psychologist with offices in Maplewood, New Jersey, and Greenwich Village, New York.
“This is where you would benefit from focusing on building up a more robust sense of yourself.” Join a psoriasis support group and you’ll see you’re not alone. You might also find helpful suggestions that work for intimacy in the bedroom.
It’s also a good idea to check in with your doctor if your current treatment regimen isn’t controlling your symptoms.
4. Keep It Dark
If it makes you feel better, dim the lights in the bedroom and use candles. You may be more comfortable with intimacy if your psoriasis is not as easy to see.
5. Dress the Part
Lacy undergarments may help set the mood for sex. Avoid synthetic fabrics, which can be itchy and exacerbate psoriasis symptoms. Garments that are 100 percent cotton will be more breathable, and therefore potentially more comfortable. Be sure to wash your clothes and bedding with detergent that won’t irritate sensitive skin.
6. Use Lubricants
Cadell suggests using lubricants and topical enhancers. Cooling lubricants are better than warming ones for people with psoriasis, she says. “Warming lubricants could trigger a flare.” A good way to find out if you’re sensitive to lubricants is to test them on your bottom lip first, Cadell advises.
For men with psoriasis on the penis, a lubricated condom may keep the skin from becoming inflamed. Coconut oil can be a sensual lubricant and good for psoriasis skin. That being said, coconut oil and other oil-based lubricants should never be used with latex condoms, as the oil can damage the condom and render it ineffective.
If you’re having a flare and lovemaking isn’t possible because of the discomfort, find alternatives, Cadell says.
“Focus on what is comfortable for you, whether it’s gentle caresses, holding hands, watching romantic movies, or enjoying a romantic dinner. Talk about what you love about each other,” she explains. Sex is more than just the act of intercourse.
8. Indulge in Aphrodisiacs
Some foods may help set the mood for sex when you have psoriasis. An aphrodisiac Cadell recommends for women: licorice, which has components that have estrogen-like activity and are believed to stimulate the sex glands, bringing increased levels of oxygen to the female genitals.
Cadell suggests pumpkin pie or pumpkin seeds for men. They’re thought to possibly increase penile blood flow. Additionally, dark chocolate, long thought of as an aphrodisiac, contains a compound called phenylethylamine that can act as a mild stimulant, putting you in a good mood.
9. Follow Your Treatment Plan
When you follow your treatment plan and take your medication as prescribed, your psoriasis will improve. There is no cure for psoriasis, but medication can help control symptoms. When your treatment is working, you’ll feel better; if you feel better, it’ll be easier to be in the “mood” with the right partner. After you’ve had sex, take the time to cleanse your genitals and reapply topical medication as needed.
The Takeaway
Open and honest communication with your partner about your psoriasis can reduce misunderstandings and help maintain intimacy; consider discussing it before becoming intimate.
Building self-confidence through support groups and emphasizing nonphysical aspects of intimacy can enhance a satisfying sex life despite psoriasis symptoms.
Consistently following your prescribed treatment plan can help you manage psoriasis symptoms, making you feel better and potentially improving your readiness for intimacy.
If you decide not to let your psoriasis get in your way, it won’t, and you’ll find you can have better sex.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
Molina-Leyva A et al. Association Between Psoriasis and Sexual and Erectile Dysfunction in Epidemiologic Studies: A Systematic Review. JAMA Dermatology. January 2019.
Nowowiejska J et al. Sexual Dysfunctions in Psoriatic Patients. Frontiers in Public Health. April 17, 2024.
Jacquelyn Dosal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist practicing at The Dermatology House in Park City, Utah. Her areas of expertise include acne, rosacea, integrative treatments of inflammatory skin diseases, as well as laser treatment of the skin and injectables.
Dr. Dosal writes cosmetic questions for the certifying exams for the American Board of Dermatology. She is also the deputy editor for the American Academy of Dermatology's podcast, Dialogues in Dermatology.
Beth W. Orenstein is a freelance writer for HealthDay, Radiology Today, the Living Well section of TheAmerican Legion Magazine, St. Luke’s University Health Network, and others. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Tufts University (1978), where she majored in English and was editor of the student newspaper for three years.
No matter the weather around her eastern Pennsylvania home, Orenstein either bikes 25 to 30 miles or walks at least 6 miles every day. Her one indulgence is blueberry pancakes — but only after biking a long distance.
