Sexuality in chronic lung disease

Multiple factors converge to cause sexuality and intimacy problems in individuals who have chronic lung disease. It is imperative that clinicians include in their discussions with patients the ways they can maintain their sexual lives in the face of chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. Providing patients and their partners with information on ways to enhance their overall physical functioning, as well as discussing the many pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic methods available to maintain healthy sexual lives is critical to maintaining quality of life. It is apparent that more research is needed so that we can help these patients and their partners continue to have quality sexual relationships.