"You are not the person you used to be…". A phenomenological study on sexual desire and embodied sexuality in heterosexual women with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Authors

Patricia Romero-Alcalá, José Granero-Molina, María Rosario Coín Pérez-Carrasco, Anabel Chica-Pérez, Carmen Ramos-Rodríguez, María Del Mar Jiménez-Lasserrotte

Published in

International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being. Volume 21. Issue 1. Pages 2732815. Dec 31, 2026. Epub Sep 23, 2026.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to describe and understand how women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) perceive their sexuality and the changes associated with sexual desire.
A qualitative methodology based on Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology was used. Data collection included in-depth interviews with fifteen women diagnosed with FMS.
Two main themes emerged from the results: "When desire moves between light and shadow" and "Only your partner can understand the traffic light of desire".
Sexual desire is substantially affected by FMS. Understanding the fluctuations in desire and how both the multiple symptoms of FMS and the relationship with one's partner influence it may help individuals adapt to their new emotional situation and sex life.

PMID:
42776960
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 24 Sep 2026.

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