Study: Relationship stress can take a toll on health
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A new study shows couples therapy might improve your health in a surprising way.
Counselors say that people should not be afraid to talk to a professional about intimacy in their lives.
A recent study from the National Institutes of Health found it may be even more important as people grow older.
It shows some couples tend to feel obligated to share sexual intimacy, and the stress of that can take a toll on their health.
Dr. Emma Schmidt is a clinical sexologist. She recently appeared on Local 12's Sunday 6 a.m. show “What’s Happening in Health."
Here’s what she says often gets addressed in counseling for those who struggle with sexual intimacy:
"How do we share the responsibility of the home? How do we have more fair play in the relationship? Where are both partners helping out? How do you communicate to your partner what you need, so that sex feels like something I want to do versus something I have to do?" said Dr. Schmidt, owner of Emma Schmidt and Associates.
The study looked at nearly 1,500 couples aged 57 to 85. Researchers found stress levels went up the more participants felt obligated to have sex.
That can not only have an impact on the relationship, but it can also influence a stress hormone called cortisol.
A rise in cortisol in the body has been linked to other health problems down the line, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease.
It’s one of the reasons that Dr. Schmidt says her practice works with both individuals and couples to improve relationships.
"We specialize in sex and relationship therapy, where we work with individuals and couples and people in different types of relationships," she said. "Typically, these people come in when they're experiencing something like communication challenges around sex or desire discrepancy, affairs, trauma. So, we really try to meet the client where they're at when they come in."
To reach out to Emma Schmidt and Associates, call (513) 438-0448. Her practice has several locations in the Tri-State.
It is important to note that some insurance plans don’t cover this type of therapy. So, in many cases, there is a fee for service.
