It’s that time of year again; the Christmas lights are coming down, the ornaments are being wrapped in newspaper, and stores are putting out decorations with thousands of red and pink hearts. That’s right, and it’s almost Valentine’s Day, the time of the year when flower shops are sold out, and everyone is professing their love. With all that romance in the air, you may be asking yourself… am I able to be intimate in time for Valentine’s Day?
If you are asking that question, it’s probably because you either haven’t been intimate in a while or are experiencing physical or emotional difficulty with intimacy. Luckily, there are solutions available, which we’ll discuss.
First of all, let’s talk about emotional difficulties with intimacy. This is not a rare occurrence and does not mean that anything is wrong with you. Emotional difficulty with intimacy could stem from anxiety, body dysmorphia, past traumas (either physical or emotional or both), or a variety of other issues. Suppose you experience anxiety or unease at intimacy (even though you desire to be intimate). In that case, we recommend seeing a licensed therapist or sex therapist to discuss this with. A therapist will work with you to find the source of this anxiety and help you take positive steps toward overcoming it.
If you are experiencing pain or physical discomfort when you are being intimate, this may be for several reasons. Conditions such as vaginismus, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, or endometriosis. We recommend that you see a doctor if you are experiencing pain. You may also feel discomfort because you have not been intimate in a while. This happens because your muscles have to train to stretch as they do during sex, and your muscles may simply be out of practice.
If you are experiencing discomfort because you haven’t been intimate in a while or because of the conditions listed earlier, you may want to try vaginal dilator therapy. Vaginal dilators are cylindrically shaped devices that are inserted into the vagina to retrain the muscles to stretch. The dilators are graduated, meaning they start small and get larger. Start with a small size and gradually work your way up to the size of your partner. We recommend dilators made of high quality silicone. Using a good, water-based lubricant will also help while using your vaginal dilator.
Sexual health, is an important part of women’s health and their overall health. If you are nervous about if you will be able to be intimate by the time Valentine’s Day rolls around, it’s best to start now. After all, all the best things in life take time.
