Affairs

If you're in a relationship in which your partner has had an affair, you may be struggling to put that betrayal behind you. The process of healing, forgiving, and rebuilding trust is very difficult and may require the help of a therapist.

Sometimes even when you feel like you've forgiven your partner, it can be hard to restore sexual intimacy. Just being sexual with your partner can bring up painful memories and cause a shut-down in your ability to be sexually responsive. You may replay movies in your head of scenes you imagine having taken place between your partner and the other person. Or maybe you still don't feel safe enough with your partner to completely let go and be in the moment.

If your sexual relationship is suffering from old wounds that haven't completely healed, it's important to talk to your partner about the problem. Ask for patience - and ask for anything else that might help you feel safer and more trusting. You may need to take a step back and proceed very gradually to restore sexual intimacy. Go back to therapy if needed - but take the time to truly heal. Stuffing your feelings or carrying a load of resentment could shut down your sexuality for years to come.