| Summary: | Part of a special issue on the impact of chronic and serious physical illness on sexuality, passion, and desire. A study was conducted to examine the effect of chronic back, joint, and/or muscle pain on women's sexual and intimate relationships. Data were drawn from qualitative interviews with 28 women, aged 20 to 50 years, who were living with chronic pain. Results revealed that the pain's invisibility had profound implications for these women's social interactions and sexual relationships. The women tended to employ coping strategies that included decisions not to be involved in relationships or to take responsibility for defining sexual limits and desires with partners. However, pain was not the only factor contributing to changes in or concerns about these women's intimate relationships: Lack of time, stress, problems in communication, other family difficulties, and/or financial anxieties had an impact on all subjects interviewed.
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