Intimacy and Reproductive Health in Adults Born with ARM

Understanding your bladder, bowel, and reproductive systems can help you feel more confident and in control of your  health. It’s completely normal to feel nervous about relationships, especially if you have concerns about your body or medical history. Worries about rejection, embarrassment, or sharing personal information can affect confidence and emotional wellbeing but support is available.

• ARM does not make you less attractive or less worthy of love

• You deserve to feel valued, accepted, and confident

• Healthy relationships are built on trust, respect, and kindness, not a “perfect” body

• You are in control of what you share and when, set boundaries and take your time.

Talking to someone you trust, such as a healthcare professional, counsellor, or support group, can help build confidence and reduce anxiety.

How ARM may affect the body

The nerves that control bowel, bladder, and sexual function, and the muscles themselves, may develop differently in people with ARM. This can affect:

• Sensation

• Control

• How the body responds to stimulation

Surgical Repair or Scar tissue

This can:

• change how muscles move

• cause tightness in the pelvic or genitial area

• affect comfort during activities like toileting or sex

Pelvic structure

Differences in pelvic anatomy may influence:

• bladder control

• erections or vaginal function

• ejaculation

Operations for ARM may affect:

• Pelvic floor muscles

• anal sphincter function

• urogenital anatomy