Heres how to make space for intimacy even when youre grappling with your health.
make a run at prioritize sex as much as you’re able to beforehand.
Go on a romantic weekend getaway.
Send the kids off with their grandparents and enjoy a staycation.
make a run at spend 20 minutes of quality alone time every day.
Youre lucky if you have advance warning, so take advantage of it!
Its going to be on you to initiate those conversations with your doctor.
Here are some questions to consider asking:
How might this condition/procedure affect my sex life?
Will I need to avoid sexual activity?
Which activities are on and off the table?
How will I know when Im ready to resume sexual activity?
Does this medication have any sexual side effects?
Is there anything we can do to decrease the possibility of sexual side effects?
Of course, tailor the questions to your specific situation.
You might be taking mind-altering pain medications.
You might be at a teaching hospital where there are lots of people poking and prodding at you.
Do whatever you’re free to to maintain some semblance of a relationship with your own body.
Touch, look at, or talk to your body, and remind yourself that its still yours.
Move it in any way you’re free to.
Masturbate, if youre able!
Its also easy to want to baby the person you love when you see them in pain or discomfort.
Try your best to take care of your partner without treating them like a child.
Talk to them like an adult.
Let them make their own decisions, and share your limitations as a caretaker.
Ask how you might best support them in their healing process.
If you broke your leg, youll want to find positions that wont put any weight on it.
Consideractivities that you havent done in a while, or have never done before.
Maybe you and your partner can watch porn together or read each other erotic stories.
Expanding your definition of sex can actually be exhilarating and empowering.
This is completely understandable!
Frustration can be motivating, and even kind of sexy.
Respect your bodys healing process, its needs, and its limitations.
Being laid up in bed is a great opportunity to plan your next romantic adventure.
If your sex life is important to you (it may not be!
), talk to your partner about the specific dynamics that you value.
Maybe you realize that sex helps you feel calm, or more connected to your partner.
Maybe you simply like feeling pleasure.
Being clear on the benefits your sex life will help you feel motivated to stay in contact with it.
Its a cheesy saying, but it can also be pretty spot on.
Only capable of using your hands?
Become a pro at taking well-lit dick pics.
Hooked up to a bunch of machines?
Laugh with your partner at your bumbling attempts to navigate around all those cords.
Or try playing a really goofy game of naughty nurse and patient.
