How To Resolve Unequal Sexual Desire for Good Health
Why is it important to nurture your sex
life? Sex therapists lecture us about the uplifting value of good sex to a
relationship, and subsequent contribution to good health. Why? Sex does a lot for the senses: comforts, loves, induces sleep, calms,
delights, gives a sense of wellbeing, and
supports healthy discussion and closeness. That’s great. How about when couples
experience differences in sexual desire and the resulting tension and loss of
closeness? Due to the importance of good sex to relationship and good health, experts
advise that if confronting the issue of unequal sexual desire involves some painstaking
awkward talks, the rewards in improved sexual and emotional intimacy are worth
the trouble.
Are
You In the Mood Or Not?
Well am not going to try and define what
good sex is. I will leave the definition to individual experiences. The fact remains there are differences in
sexual desires between partners, and these affect relationship. When one
partner is hot for sex than the other, tempers may flare, and difficult to have
good sex in such situations. However, unequal
sexual desire shouldn’t be an end to an otherwise great relationship. Understandably
there are times when you are not just in the mood for sex, while your partner’s
temperature is on the high side. There are
also times when it is the opposite. You are hot and can’t wait to get it on,
and then your partner yawns, rolls over, and starts to snore. It really can be
frustrating. Yes?
Time for a few soul searching
questions: Do you continue to ignore your partner's sexual advances? Do you
feel pressurised and angry because your partner’s sexual desire is on overdrive?
Or, on the other hand, is it you that feels unloved, angry and dumped because
your partner declines to make love as often as you want? If this is a familiar road,
you are not alone. Research has shown sexual desire disorders to be the most
reported sexual problem. Difference in
sexual desire, or libido, occurs in about 90% relationships at some stage, and
can seem impossible to resolve. The advice from sex therapists is that if you reassess
your attitudes, and discuss your sexual needs in a truthful and polite manner,
it is possible to salvage the intimacy and closeness you’ve been missing.
It Is Not Totally A Woman Problem
Exhaustion, stress, despair, apprehension,
some medications, and illness can all contribute to desire changeability. In addition
is the issue of hormonal changes which may lower your sex drive, while any fundamental
bitterness or anger towards your partner will also inhibit any enthusiasm to be
up close and personal. Admitting low
desire is a bigger problem for women, men are not excluded. A survey showed 33%
women and 16% men reported lack of sexual interest within a period of 12 months.
In the early period of relationships (the honeymoon phase), sex occurs readily
and freely, and the yearning is equal. After
about 18 months, new sexual styles may start to show, which may be baffling and
off-putting. At this point, you may
question if you are on the same page sexually. Then again, there is every
possibility of rearranging your sex life if you still love and care for each
other.
Avoid The Inclination To Blame
One of the most destructive things you
can do is blame one another for your unequal levels of sexual interest. Some
couples start accusing each other for being ‘strange’, getting caught up in a spiteful sequence where
one person tirelessly chase the other for sex and the other tirelessly recoils. Frequently the person with the lower sex
drive is under fire and often persuaded to fix the problem with increased
sexual activity. In the long run, the uninterested partner’s sexual drive may increase,
only for the other partner to lose interest. What to do? Take cognisance of the
difference in your desire levels and take steps not only to address the problem
but also to make changes.
You may find it uncomfortable to
discuss your sex lives or unable to clarify to you partner what is arousing or
not arousing, then again keep in mind that reinstating and maintaining a satisfying
sex life should be a priority. Accordingly,
couples experiencing sexual desire differences are encouraged to discuss their
likes and dislikes or meet each other halfway. Looking past what sounds like an insensitive
business suggestion, meeting each other half way may actually increase both
chances of getting what you want. If the difference in sexual desire levels is
small, most couples are able to agree their sexual activity for mutual
satisfaction. In situations where the
problem is left festering, even the small difference in sexual interest can
cause undue pressure and misery that lingers.
Be Spontaneous
A common misconception about sex is
that we should be aroused before we do it. Professional opinion on the other hand
stipulates that if we always wait for this to happen, many would never have sex
again. So what to do? The low sexual desire partner should find the willingness
to have sex without desiring it. The
reason? Once we get on with it, despite not being in the mood, desire and
arousal often follow. It is assumed your
willingness to do what is not intended rests on feelings of benevolence and deference
already existing in the relationship, which allows you to be sincere to your
partner and enjoy sex as lovemaking rather than an act. It also helps to move your
perception of sex from just being about erections, intercourse, and orgasms, to
sex being a source of pleasure and intimacy. As a result, meeting
each other's needs may include increasing your sexual range and learning about other
ways to feel emotionally and physically up close and personal.
Don't Give Up
I wish you the best of luck as you continue to work on your sex life for better relationship and good health.
Photo Credit: Creative Commons
Comments
Post a Comment