Sex and Relationships

Sex and Relationships

When the Fairy Tale Ends: Divorce with a Chronic Illness

Divorce is difficult under the best of circumstances. Having a chronic illness complicates matters further. Be sure to consider all the legal, financial, social, and other implications before you proceed.

Sex and Relationships

How to Create and Keep Boundaries When You Have a Chronic Illness

IBD and other chronic illnesses can take a toll on how we value ourselves. But prioritizing our own needs is important for maintaining our physical and mental health.

Sex and Relationships

Keeping the Spark Alive When Your Partner Is Also Your MS Caregiver

My husband has had to take on more household duties and more of my MS caregiving over time. That’s why it’s more of a priority than ever for us to find ways to be romantic and intimate with each other.

Sex and Relationships

How to be Supportive When Your Partner Has a Chronic Condition

When your partner lives with a chronic condition it can be hard to know the best ways to support them. Here's how I would want a partner to support me in my daily life with chronic illness.

Sex and Relationships

Dating with MS: Ready, Player 1?

Dating with MS can feel a lot like playing a video game, but it’s not always fun.

Sex and Relationships

6 Ways to Use the Spoon Theory to Improve Communication in Your Relationship

Communication is key to any healthy relationship. The spoon theory, a popular metaphor in the chronic condition community, is a tool that can help strengthen your bond.

Sex and Relationships

7 Tips for Talking with Friends and Family About Your Chronic Illness

Letting your loved ones know about your symptoms, triggers, and boundaries can help them better support you — and help you feel less alone. Writer and activist Nia G. explains how she approaches those conversations with her friends and family.

Sex and Relationships

8 Things I Learned During My First Year of Being a Parent with Chronic Illness

Being able to have kids was my first surprise. I've faced a lot of other challenges and surprises in the first year of my son's life. Here's what I learned and my advice.

Sex and Relationships

How to Create Holiday Boundaries When You Have a Chronic Condition

When you're living with a chronic condition, understanding and communicating your needs is imperative. These boundaries can be especially important during the busy holiday season.

Sex and Relationships

MS Has Made Me More Compassionate — Toward Myself and Others

MS may eventually affect my physical abilities but it has also expanded my heart.

Sex and Relationships

The Importance of Community with MS

Connecting with others who live with MS can help us feel seen and supported.

Sex and Relationships

The Effect MS Has Had on My Friendships

I gave up some relationships out of necessity. The richness I found in my new friendships surprised me.

Sex and Relationships

Ask Ardra Anything: How Do You Deal with Discrimination from Friends?

With a little communication, your relationships don’t have to be a casualty of MS.

Sex and Relationships

5 Benefits of Disclosing Your Diagnosis While Dating

There is so much power, beauty, and potential that exists in revealing your health condition to a new dating partner.

Sex and Relationships

Sex, Communication, and Chronic Pain

How the kink community helped me confront unsafe patterns and foster empowering sexual connections.

Sex and Relationships

Living with a Chronic Illness Can Be Isolating — These Tips Can Help

Even when it feels hard to reach out, taking small actions can help us feel more connected to others.

Sex and Relationships

How to Communicate When Loved Ones Aren’t Accepting of Your Chronic Illness

Having a chronic illness can be a challenging experience, and it can feel even more challenging without the full support of those closest to you.

Sex and Relationships

Why MS Can Cause Sexual Dysfunction in Women — and What You Can Do About It

Healthy sexuality can evolve and change during our many stages of life, including modifying for health conditions.

Sex and Relationships

5 Tips for Parenting Through MS Fatigue

Protecting your energy doesn’t make you a bad parent — it makes you the best parent you can be for your kids.

Sex and Relationships

The Importance of Setting Boundaries When You’re Living with a Chronic Condition — and How to Get Started

Your energy is too precious to be wasted on plans and activities that don't serve your health.

Sex and Relationships

Ask Ardra Anything: Is It Possible to Find Love with MS?

Even without multiple sclerosis, finding love is rarely simple or easy. But someone great is out there, right now, waiting for you to find them.

Sex and Relationships

Think You Can’t Have Good Sex After a Chronic Illness Diagnosis? Think Again

Your sex life shouldn't be halted because of bad advice, embarrassed doctors, or a lack of knowledge.

Sex and Relationships

Why MS Can Cause Sexual Dysfunction in Men — and What You Can Do About It

If the symptoms of MS are making intimacy challenging for you, know that there are strategies that can help.

Sex and Relationships

Love and Disability: How to Tell Your Date About Your Chronic Illness

Knowing your person is out there doesn’t make disclosing your health history any easier, but these tips can help.