In all the many years that I have been practicing and treating IC, I have found that many sexual relationships are involved in or exacerbating the sick partner's condition.

In many cases, the sexual relationship is not involved at all, yet, in a some significant percentage, it is and must be addressed so that the effected person and his or her partner may practice sex that is not continuing to make perpetuate the IC.

Of the cases where sexuality is involved, typically both partners are open to hearing and discussing this issue and how to sort it out. In fewer cases, a partner may not be open to hearing that there is a possibility that he or she is involved in his or her partner's condition.

In situations of this sort, this leads to feelings of frustration and sadness on both sides and certainly may adversely effect the ongoing health of the IC involved partner. I have seen families break up over the inability to sort out this problem and it is very sad to see this happen, and in my opinion, preventable through conversation, openness, and when necessary, therapy.

Working on the sexual partner of someone involved with IC is not nearly as complicated as working on the person having the IC unless that person's health is seriously compromised as well. However, in most cases the person will seem otherwise very healthy, but his or her sexual fluids may be effected by certain kinds of imbalances in the body effecting them. Simple dietary changes and simple supplements may effect those imbalances and the sexual fluids in that person significantly changing the adverse impact on the other person.

There is a direct relationship between the balance of the microorganisms in the small intestine and the health of sexual fluids in both men and women. These organisms are effected by diet, medicine, and lifestyle issues. Something as benign as drinking beer or diet sodas could alter this balance for example. So, a person who is generally healthy with no apparent problems may have sexual fluids which are effected by such things and as a consequence may affect their sexual partner if the partner's immune system is not strong enough to protect against it.

Having worked with many couples with this kind of problem, I can't express how much simple dietary changes can make. So, with an openness to hear that this may be a possibility and the readiness to do something about it, changes may be made so that unprotected sex may be resumed without perpetuating the previous negative effects that were occurring prior.

If there is no willingness for the partner to look at any of this, there is always the option of using condoms and in some cases unprotected sex and withdrawal is adequate. Typically condoms will protect the IC partner from being effected by the fluids of the other person. This is an option for those not intending on becoming pregnant or that feel comfortable using condoms (or withdrawal) ongoing. If pregnancy is something that the two of you are looking forward to or condoms are not an option for a long period into the future, and you think that this might be an issue, then it should be looked at and sorted out.

I can only share with you what I know and my experience with this because in many cases, changes such as these can make the difference between partners forever or partners broken up.

Dr. Brizman