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Real members of myPHteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

This is kinda personal but very serious to me....has anyone else with pah, has their relationship or sex life been affected?? Im only 36

A myPHteam Member asked a question 💭
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So I'm still young and the urge is still there and obviously my husband of 17 years very much has the urge and has no problem breathing or with heart palpations...I don't want to go into too much detail so hopefully somebody out there will understand what I'm saying and going through!!

August 19
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A myPHteam Member

Hi Emri. The only time I had problems is when I had bad side-effects from a PAH drug that kept me on the potty with diarrhea. Intimacy is really important and I hope you can work through this. 🫂

August 19
A myPHteam Member

As long as you have clearance from your care team, enjoy! The exercise is good for you and the intimacy is essential for body and spirit. Just learn your limitations as you go along and be sure to communicate them with your husband.

And don’t worry about bringing up the topic. It gets discussed here every several months or so.

August 19
myPHteam

First of all, this is a completely valid and important question — and you are absolutely not alone in feeling this way. Many myPHteam members have shared similar concerns about how PAH affects intimacy and relationships, especially at a younger age.

PAH symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and heart Show Full Answer

First of all, this is a completely valid and important question — and you are absolutely not alone in feeling this way. Many myPHteam members have shared similar concerns about how PAH affects intimacy and relationships, especially at a younger age.

PAH symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and heart palpitations can make physical activity — including intimacy — genuinely challenging and sometimes scary. Here are some things worth knowing and considering:

- Talk to your doctor — this conversation is more common than you think, and they won't be surprised. They can help tailor advice to your specific situation
- Pacing matters — just like with exercise, finding a comfortable level of exertion can help manage symptoms
- Communication with your husband is key — helping him understand your physical limitations can reduce pressure and bring you closer
- Mental and emotional health matters too — anxiety around intimacy is real and worth addressing with your care team

You and your doctor are a team, so don't hesitate to ask for what you need. There's no such thing as "too personal" when it comes to your quality of life. 💙

August 19

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