You may want to use glycerin-based lubricants, such as
Astroglide®, when there is a lack of natural lubrication.
Lubricant use may ease or prevent pain associated with sexual
contact.
What are some non-sexual forms of intimacy?
Sexuality is only one form of intimacy. Non-sexual ways you can
be intimate with your partner may include:
- Sharing feelings. Discussing your feelings
with a partner may bring the two of you closer together. Talking
and listening can help you and your partner better understand one
another. Open dialogue with your partner about each other's
needs and concerns helps to overcome barriers to a healthy
relationship.
- Participating in common interests. Hobbies,
sporting activities, or volunteer activities can bring couples
closer together when they share interests.
- Making time to be alone together. Couples can
do such things as taking a bath together, sharing a candlelight
dinner that you prepare together, taking a walk, or just holding
each other in bed.
There are many additional ways of creating non-sexual intimacy.
Explore various things that you and your partner can do together to
bring you closer.
You can have a healthy and satisfying relationship in spite of
chronic pain. Remember that intimacy begins with honest
communication. In your efforts to become more intimate, you may
discover something about your partner that you did not know
previously. Your relationship may be better than it was before you
faced the issue of chronic pain.
You and your partner need to talk about how you feel, what you
miss, and what you want or need from your relationship. In any
relationship, an effort must be made to maintain what is good and
change what needs improvement.
What if sexual problems persist despite these efforts?
If sexual problems continue, consider speaking with a counselor
or sex therapist.