{"id":7110,"date":"2016-03-18T07:38:55","date_gmt":"2016-03-18T07:38:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=7110"},"modified":"2022-12-09T05:11:38","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T05:11:38","slug":"recognize-intimacy-issues-and-get-closer-as-a-couple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/intimacy\/recognize-intimacy-issues-and-get-closer-as-a-couple\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Recognize Intimacy Issues and Get Closer as a Couple"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7111 size-full\" title=\"Intimacy Issues\" src=\"http:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/135.jpg\" alt=\"Intimacy Issues\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a couple has been married for quite some time, they may experience some changes and intimacy problems in a relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They may get too busy with their work and other daily responsibilities, and that may lead the other partner to feel neglected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a couple does not get to spend enough quality time together, then <\/span><b>intimacy issues in relationships can arise.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is crucial in a marriage for the couple to feel close to each other physically and emotionally. They may find themselves drifting apart if they do not resolve their problems with intimacy quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some ways on how to deal with intimacy problems and how to overcome intimacy issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Also watch: Signs you are afraid of intimacy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/W2-eDyrSUxs\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recognize-the-signs-of-intimacy-issues\"><\/span>Recognize the signs of intimacy issues<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you begin dealing with the intimacy issue, you have to first recognize that your relationship exhibits the intimacy disorder symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Married couples should learn to recognize the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/intimacy\/7-warning-signs-that-youre-ready-for-marriage-intimacy-counseling\/\"><b>signs of intimacy issues<\/b><\/a><b>,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and they should try to find out why they are having trouble with intimacy in their relationship.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you find yourself sexually frustrated or feel uncomfortable with intimacy in your relationship, there is undoubtedly a problem that needs to be fixed. Emotional and physical intimacy are intertwined in ways we are yet to fully understand since the correlation can vary depending on the couple.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some obvious signs that your relationships are suffering from intimacy issues:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uncomfortable with being emotionally open<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often being unavailable when your partner needs you<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your relationship usually do not last long (less than a year)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hesitant towards making a commitment<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being sexually uninterested early in your relationships<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul><h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understand-each-other%E2%80%99s-expectations\"><\/span>Understand each other&rsquo;s expectations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expectations are part and parcel of every relationship. The fulfillment that you may or may not get from a relationship is highly contingent on how good you and your partner are at meeting each other&rsquo;s expectations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/things-to-consider-when-there-are-physical-intimacy-issues-in-a-marriage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical intimacy issues<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or sexual intimacy issues in marriage can happen when couples have different expectations.&nbsp; Sometimes, someone in the relationship may want more physical closeness than the other.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>When a physical need is not met, feelings of frustration and neglect will follow.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of the time, the husband and the wife may have different ideas of what intimacy is, and because of this, they do not know how to satisfy each other&rsquo;s needs and, at times, even start avoiding intimacy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So how to get close to someone with intimacy issues?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/communication\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communication<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the key to understanding each other&rsquo;s expectations and needs. Couples should talk about what they want, and each one should be willing to compromise, so they both will be physically satisfied.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Talk-about-your-concerns\"><\/span>Talk about your concerns<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As stated earlier, communication is essential in understanding your partner&rsquo;s needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important in every relationship for couples to be able to address what causes intimacy issues and talk about what are the intimacy issues crippling their relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>They should be open about anything that is bothering them<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and preventing them from being physically close to their spouse. They should also be open about their insecurities and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/0265407519898267\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fears that cause inhibition about intimacy.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Issues about trust and commitment should also be discussed in every relationship to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/emotional-intimacy\/repairing-emotional-intimacy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">deal with the emotional intimacy issues<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so the spouse will know how to make them feel more secure and loved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-43290\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Why-Do-Men-Struggle-With-Intimacy.jpg\" alt=\"how to overcome intimacy issues\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recognize-the-outside-factors\"><\/span>Recognize the outside factors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cause of intimacy issues in a relationship might also be due to external factors that we won&rsquo;t have much control over. Women with intimacy issues or men with intimacy issues might feel instigated by factors outside their marriage or relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When one or both from the couple is distracted by problems at work or by issues from people in their extended <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/family\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">family<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, then intimacy could be greatly affected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a couple is stressed out about other things, being intimate will be the last thing on their mind.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>No one can really prevent problems from happening.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But what you can do is to recognize that these problems are distracting you from being close to your spouse. Both husband and wife should learn to take things one at a time and be able to live in the present.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn to set your problems aside and take time to focus your attention and love for your partner whenever you get the chance to be alone.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn to communicate when you cannot do so; avoid having your partner attributing the intimacy problems to themselves or the relationship&rsquo;s quality.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Consider-medical-issues\"><\/span>Consider medical issues<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical issues could also be the culprit for intimacy issues in a marriage.&nbsp; A person&rsquo;s health can significantly affect sexual desire and performance. For instance, if a man has erectile dysfunction, it will affect his confidence in bed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He will avoid being intimate with his wife, so she will not notice the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, a woman may also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5776161\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lack sexual desire due to a hormonal imbalance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and having sex with her husband can become more of a painful chore than a pleasurable experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you <\/span><b>discover these <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/physical-intimacy\/how-to-fix-sexual-problems-in-a-marriage\/\"><b>issues affecting your sex life<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and wonder how to deal with intimacy issues, you should seek help and find a cure for these medical conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Addressing-emotional-baggage\"><\/span>Addressing emotional baggage<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, to know how to help someone with intimacy issues, couples should be able to share their emotional pains and sufferings with their spouse.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If someone in the relationship feels resentment for their partner, then the couple has something that is tearing them apart.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Couples should work together on finding ways on how to heal emotional scars and resolve any issue that is making them see their spouse as more of an enemy than a lover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Intimacy issues in a marriage should never be ignored.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When physical needs are not met, couples are more prone to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/infidelity\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">infidelity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or worse, falling out of love. Once you realize you have these issues in your relationship, take steps to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5016345\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">improve your intimacy with your spouse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When a couple has been married for quite some time, they may experience some changes and intimacy problems in a relationship. They may get too busy with their work and other daily responsibilities, and that may lead the other partner to feel neglected. When a couple does not get to spend enough quality time together, then intimacy issues in relationships can arise. It is crucial in a marriage for the couple to feel close to each other physically and emotionally. They may find themselves drifting apart if they do not resolve their problems with intimacy quickly. Here are some ways <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":630,"featured_media":7111,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[24],"tags":[2532],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7110"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/630"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7110"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7110\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60516,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7110\/revisions\/60516"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7111"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}