Intimacy, Sexual Health, and PD
Parkinson's disease can significantly affect intimacy, sex, and relationships due to physical symptoms and emotional changes. Care partners face their own physical and emotional challenges. It's crucial to address these issues openly and creatively with your partner to maintain a fulfilling intimate life. Here are some good resources on this topic.
Short Overviews
Let’s Talk About Sex (and Parkinson’s)
By Gila Bronner and Orna Moore. Published by Parkinson’s Life, April 9, 2015
This webpage highlights both the motor and non-motor symptoms, medication side effects, and psychological aspects that contribute to disturbed sexual function, as well as the contradictory role of the partner-caregiver. Resolution of sexual disfunction requires open communication with your healthcare professional(s) and your partner.
Parkinson’s and Sex
By Yvonne K. Fulbright, PhD, MS Ed. Published by American Parkinson Disease Association
This webpage identifies the physical, psychological, and relationship issues related to sex and PD. The author shares lots of tips for resolving relationship issues. There are links to a two-page fact sheet on "Communication and Intimacy" (published in 2017 with an update planned for 2025) and an August 2017 webinar with clinical sexologist Dr. Sheila Silver. The APDA has a kit, "ParkinSex," for couples to reconnect.
Parkinson’s Disease and Sexual Issues
Published by Victoria State Government, Australia, April 2021
This webpage summarizes the motor and autonomic nervous system with respect to Parkinson’s disease, how treatment for Parkinson’s can affect sexuality, sexual issues for people with Parkinson’s disease and their partners, practical suggestions and professional help for couples.
Sex and Parkinson’s
Published by Parkinson’s UK
This webpage and downloadable booklet discuss how Parkinson’s affects sex, and the sexual problems Parkinson’s can cause with suggestions for improving one’s sex life.
Sexual and Reproductive Health with Parkinson’s
Published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation
Several aspects of sexual dysfunction related to Parkinson’s disease symptoms, medication side effects and psychological issues with strategies and therapies to compensate are discussed, as well as contraception and pregnancy, briefly.
Sexual Health
Published by Parkinson's Foundation
This webpage addresses how PD symptoms and medication affect sexual health. Tips to address PD-related sexual dysfunction are shared. There are links to other webpages on male sexual health and female sexual health, and a two-page fact sheet on "Intimacy and Parkinson's."
Talks by Clinicians or Sex Therapists
Intimacy & Sexual Health in Parkinson's Disease
By University of Florida Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration, April 10, 2021
In this 24-minute talk, neurologist Bavana Patel, MD, discusses why it is important to talk about sexual health, how Parkinson's disease affects sexual health, and management options, including practical strategies from patients and medications.
Intimacy in PD
By PMD Alliance, June 18, 2020
This one-hour webinar featuring clinical sexologist, Dr. Sheila Silver, may be of benefit to both caregivers and those with PD. Intimacy encompasses deep emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical closeness in a relationship. Both the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s can have an impact on all aspects of intimacy. In addition, care partners face their own challenges, exacerbated by caregiver stress.
Webinar Notes are on the Stanford PD Community Blog.
Sex, Intimacy, and Parkinson's
By Davis Phinney Foundation, May 16, 2024
In this 35-minute webinar, two certified sex therapists discuss the ways PD may affect sex and intimacy.
Sex, Love, & Parkinson’s
By The Michael J. Fox Foundation, February 20, 2020
This one-hour webinar features clinical sexologist, Dr. Sheila Silver. She notes that intimacy encompasses deep emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical closeness in a relationship. The motor and non-motor symptoms of PD can impact intimacy, while care partners are coping with caregiver stress.
Webinar Notes are on PD Community Support blog.
Kit for Couples
ParkinSex
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, October 2023
This award-winning resource is described as the "Kama Sutra for Parkinson's." The kit suggests how to use massage stones, candles, a blindfold, and other items to help strengthen relationships between partners navigating PD and to foster connection and intimacy. "ParkinSex" is available as a downloadable booklet (21 pages) or a video (14 minutes).
Women’s Sexuality
Women’s Health & Sexuality
By Maria De León, MD. Published by parkinsonsdiva.org, November 30, 2016
Both men and women suffer from sexual problems when it comes to chronic disease, like Parkinson’s. For women, there are six areas of sexual dysfunction, complicated by fatigue, incontinence, and embarrassment. Tips for overcoming these, in addition to medications, and alternative therapies, like behavioral therapy, sex therapy, acupuncture, yoga, and meditation.
Sex, Unfiltered
By Davis Phinney Foundation, May 8, 2024
In this 36-minute podcast (audio only), two women with Young Onset PD, Heather Kennedy and Kat Hill, dive deep into the importance and challenges of sexual health for people with Parkinson’s.
Last updated July 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.