The words “intimacy” and “incontinence” may not seem as if they should exist together in the same sentence–if you suffer from incontinence, you may feel less like being intimate with your partner. Fear of leakage of urine at an inopportune time may cause you to shy away from the physical aspect of your relationship with a significant other. Both women and men may feel embarrassed or ashamed if they suffer from incontinence. This does not need to be the case. There are a few things you can do to decrease the liklihood of incontinence during intimacy.
Decreasing your fluid intake for a few hours prior to engaging in intimacy with your partner will help to ensure that your bladder does not become overly full. Emptying your bladder just prior to intimacy will also decrease the chance of any leakage. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine can also assist you in avoiding the problem.
The biggest barrier to intimacy when one partner suffers from incontinence is lack of communication. You may find it difficult to broach the subject with your partner, but discussing the issue, your fears and your feelings will go a long way towards making you both feel more comfortable. Your partner may also have concerns, such as fear of causing discomfort. Chances are, you will both have some concerns in common, and getting them out into the open will help both of you to get past your fears. Open communication about the issue, along with a discussion regarding ways to make you both feel more comfortable, will boost your intimacy to a new level. Incontinence does not mean an end to intimacy; it simply requires honesty and openness in discussing how to approach and cope with the situation together.
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