It's always better to tell your partner about any sexual problem you have, says clinical sexologist Dr Eve.
According to a study, 43% of women currently experience one sexual problem and 12% report significant distress about their sexual problems.
Almost half of sexual partners lie in bed with a woman who is struggling with sexuality, Dr Eve says.
Read more: Why 1 in 10 women endure painful sex (and keep it a secret)
She explains that sexual problems include women with low sexual desire and arousal, women who are not orgasmic, and those who experience sexual pain.
Dr Eve says that sexual problems are highly misunderstood and stigmatised, leading to secrecy and feelings of shame.
Disclosing sexual problems, however, leads to greater relationship satisfaction and sexual fulfillment, she advises.
Also read: Women must stop enduring bad sex, says Dr Eve
According to Dr Eve, disclosing sexual problems requires vulnerability, emotional and physical safeness.
The women who did disclose reported fewer depressive symptoms, had greater sexual functioning and greater relationship satisfaction than the women who did not disclose.
— Dr Eve, clinical sexologist
Here are some of the benefits of disclosing sexual problems:
- significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms
- enhanced feelings of partner support
- less negative thoughts about your sexuality
- couples adapt their sexual functioning
- encourages help seeking for sexual problems, either as an individual or as a couple
- increases feelings of intimacy for both partners
- allows both people to respond to the problem as a unit
Visit Dr Eve's blog to learn more.
Listen to her expert advice during the Talking Sex feature: