Living with chronic pain may lead to fears about renewing sexual contact, especially intercourse, which can cause you to avoid physical intimacy of any kind. While this reaction is common and understandable, delaying intimacy only increases your anxiety. Talk openly with your partner to help alleviate your fears.
This is also a good time to rekindle your romance. Go on romantic dates, exchange cards and personal gifts for no special reason, and make the effort to express your love and desire for your partner in small but meaningful ways.
Every problem is also an opportunity, so as you and your partner deal with this new problem of chronic pain you may discover things about each other you never knew before. It’s possible that the romance and sexual relationship you rebuild and renew could turn out to be even better than the one you had before chronic pain became part of your life.
