Most married couples have sexual problems at one time or another during their relationship. And even though you can talk about almost everything else, sex (or lack of it) can be a tough issue to discuss. The good news is there are ways to resolve these issues and get your sex life back on the right track.
First, let’s look at psychological issues:
Control Your Stress. If you have a stressful job, money troubles, health issues, or any other life-problems that are frequently worrisome, it’s important to find a way to manage your anxiety.
If that seems impossible, it’s time to seek counseling or a doctor to help sort through these issues and get you back on track. Studies have shown that having sex can be a good de-stressor, so you might consider having sex with your partner as a great stress reliever.
Eliminate Distractions. Do you have kids knocking on your bedroom door, pets jumping on the bed, a cell phone ringing, TV in the room you don’t think you can go without, or a laptop calling your name? Any of these issues can cause sleep problems as well as dampening your mood.
It’s time to de-distract your bedroom. Remove everything that might be an interruption except you and your spouse ... and maybe a sensually-scented candle burning nearby.
Get rid of resentment. Do you get tired of picking up after him and does he get sick of hearing you nagging about it? If that’s the case, resentment doesn’t usually go away at bed time. You need to get whatever is bothering you out in the open before it eats away at you and cause bigger problems.
Most times spouses (men and women) don’t know what’s bugging you unless you spell it out. Don’t let the small things get in the way. If it’s a bigger problem such as cheating or some other trust issue, counseling should be considered as a healthy option.
Depression. Some consider depression as a medical problem rather than a psychological issue. No matter which way it is categorized, depression can be a double-edged sword when it comes to healthy sex drive. One who’s clinically depressed may have a diminished sex drive and often antidepressants will dampen libido.
It’s important to discuss these issues with your doctor or counselor to find the treatment. There’s many options, so don’t give up until you find the right one for you.
My next article: What’s Got Your Libido Down? Is it Physical? describes possible physical issues that may be causing low libido.
Sources:
WebMD - Sexual Conditions - Sex Drive Killers Slideshow. Web. 11, November, 2011
http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/ss/slideshow-sex-drive-killers?ecd=wnl_wmh_110911
ABC News - Health Video - 5 Libido Killers. Web. 11, November, 2011
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/video/5-libido-killers-13668703
Reviewed November 14, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith