Intimacy between partners is often an important part of any romantic relationship. It can involve physical closeness, emotional bonding, sharing, and communication.
Some couples may experience changes in their level of intimacy over time due to various factors such as hormonal imbalances, relationship dynamics, life stressors, age, and health conditions. While many people think that hormonal fluctuations are responsible for these changes, others believe that it is primarily related to interpersonal issues within the relationship itself. In this article, we will explore how both hormones and relational issues play a role in altering the levels of intimacy between partners.
Hormone Imbalances
The primary hormone associated with intimacy is oxytocin, which is also known as the "love hormone". Oxytocin plays a significant role in sexual arousal, orgasm, and post-coital cuddling and bonding. Women's levels of oxytocin increase during childbirth, breastfeeding, and sex, while men's levels rise after ejaculation. This hormone can be affected by medication, pregnancy, birth control pills, cancer treatments, and menopause.
Women who take birth control pills have lower oxytocin levels than those who do not, leading to decreased feelings of intimacy. Similarly, women going through menopause may experience lower levels of oxytocin, resulting in reduced libido and arousal.
Relational Issues
In contrast to hormones, relational issues are more complex and often require deeper introspection and communication. Common relational problems include lack of trust, poor communication, infidelity, financial strain, unresolved conflicts, family pressures, emotional distance, and neglect. These factors can lead to increased stress and tension, making it difficult for couples to feel emotionally close or sexually fulfilled.
Long-term relationships may become routine and predictable, leading to boredom and disinterest.
Changes in intimacy between partners can be attributed to both hormonal imbalances and relational issues. While hormones play an essential role in regulating sexual desire and attraction, they cannot account for all the dynamics within a relationship. It is essential for couples to address any underlying causes of intimacy loss, whether physical or interpersonal, to rekindle their connection and maintain a healthy relationship.
To what extent do couples attribute changes in intimacy to hormones versus relational issues?
It is difficult to draw conclusions about how much of an impact hormonal shifts have on marital intimacy because there are several other factors that may contribute to it. These include communication difficulties, lack of trust, infidelity, conflict resolution, family stressors, work stressors, financial strain, parenting responsibilities, personality differences, health problems, substance abuse, and outside relationships.