Intimacy is defined as physical and emotional closeness. When used to describe a relationship between partners, intimacy often refers to sex.
Intimacy and sex are important elements of a healthy romantic relationship, and experiencing issues that hinder them can quickly take a toll on your relationship and your self-esteem. Intimacy issues arise when something — whether it’s physical or emotional — gets in the way of your sexual relationship with a significant other.
Painful intercourse and avoidance of sex are among issues that many women face, and the causes of these problems can be complex. At Solace Women’s Care, Farly Sejour, MD and our team are committed to helping you uncover the underlying cause of your intimacy issues and achieving a fulfilling sex life.
The first step toward feeling more comfortable in the bedroom is understanding what could be causing your intimacy issues.
Pain with sex isn’t normal. Yet many women suffer painful intercourse because they’re embarrassed to bring it up, and many others simply do their best to avoid having sex.
Any number of common gynecolocial problems can make sex painful. Acute conditions like infections and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) may make intercourse painful.
One of the most common causes of pain with sex is lack of lubrication, particularly in women going through menopause. Menopause triggers hormonal changes that decrease natural vaginal lubrication.
Menopausal women may find that their sex drive drops, and arousal isn’t easy. Lack of arousal combined with vaginal dryness can make sex very painful and create intimacy issues.
Chronic conditions like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and even abnormally heavy menstrual periods can affect your enjoyment of sex. If you experience pain with sexual intercourse, don’t ignore the symptoms: Make an OB/GYN appointment to find out what’s behind your pain.
If there’s no clear physical cause for your intimacy issues, relationship instability may be a contributing factor. A healthy relationship requires trust and communication, and unhealthy relationships can create intimacy issues.
A lack of emotional connection within a relationship can translate to your sexual relationship as well. If you’re having less sex, it can make you feel disconnected from your partner, and therefore less interested in sex.
Other issues that can create intimacy issues include infidelity and stress. Talk therapy can help couples and individuals to work through the emotional side of intimacy problems.
If intimacy issues are taking a toll on your romantic relationship, it’s time to seek help. Our team is here to help you understand what’s causing your intimacy issues, and there’s no reason to be embarrassed when talking to your doctor about sex.
We begin with a comprehensive wellness exam that may include a pelvic exam, physical, and a thorough review of your symptoms. If we identify a gynecological condition, we recommend treatment to minimize symptoms and help you feel more like yourself again.
Conditions like urinary tract infections or vaginal infections can be treated with medication. For chronic conditions like menopausal symptoms and endometriosis, our team can recommend a range of treatments that may fit your lifestyle.
Don’t be embarrassed to talk about intimacy issues. Reach out to Dr. Sejour and our team for compassionate care and support. Call our office in Conroe, Texas, at 936-441-7100 for an appointment or send us a message online.
