We are differentiated not just by our individuality, but also by our relationships with other people - our daily interaction with family, colleagues, friends and strangers. The impact of a chronic disease such as MS (with its variability and unpredictability) is momentous and extends far beyond a particular person. While one can never underplay the burden that falls on an individual diagnosed with MS, it is important to appreciate that, for each individual person with MS, there are many more "affected by MS". ---partners, parents, children, friends and colleagues. How well a person with MS adapts to the disease may well be measured by how well those affected by his or her MS engage with the spectre as well as the reality of MS.

WoMS undertakes to use the Internet to share information transparently about MS worldwide. This Relationships, Intimacy & Sexuality in MS (RISMS) section of WoMS is dedicated to enhancing relationships influenced by MS and to helping those affected by MS to cope, not only personally with issues relating to sexuality and intimacy, but dynamically within relationships, family and society.

PLEASE NOTE

The following pages offer medical and therapeutic information to people affected by MS. The material has been written and compiled by health professionals to help people make informed decisions about managing the problems that can occur with relationships, intimacy and sexuality. However, because of the nature of these problems much of the material is necessarily of an adult nature.