The Sexual Wellbeing of Men whose Partners Experience Painful Intercourse Due to Endometriosis

Abstract

Men partnered with women who have endometriosis and experience painful intercourse face multiple sexual and relationship challenges. A key challenge is contributing to and witnessing their partner’s pain during intercourse yet wanting the intimacy intercourse offers. This study explores the impact on men’s’ sexual wellbeing and ability to support their partner in their sexual relationship. The study identifies the psychosexual needs of men and informs clinical practice guidelines. The experiences of nine Australian men in committed heterosexual relationships with women who have endometriosis and experience painful intercourse, were explored using in-depth interviews. The men were purposively sampled to identify sexual challenges and approaches. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts provided evidence about the impact. The men presented nuanced comment on the sexual impact. Their partner’s sexual pleasure guided their approach as did their own emotional connection during sexual interactions. The sexual wellbeing of all participants was impacted; some experiencing losses to sexual identity, and others facing a crisis of confidence. Sexual functioning changes occurred in sexual desire, arousal, ejaculation and satisfaction. Men differed as to whether these changes caused distress. Men engaged in modified intercourse, non-coitus sexual interaction and some had no sexual engagement. Modified intercourse interfered with their erotic focus with men reporting differing levels of distress. Relationship processes and affectionate touch built intimacy, balancing out losses in sexual options. ‘Aftercare’ extended sexual pleasure. Some men ‘stepped up’ to take responsibility for building intimacy. This research contributes to the body of knowledge that guides male partners working to maintain sexual intimacy in the context of endometriosis and a heterosexual woman’s painful intercourse. It broke new ground in identifying sexual functioning changes, men’s focus on their partner’s sexual pleasure and the emotional connection issues men identified. Men found minimal resources to support them.