Sunday News (Zimbabwe)

How to support someone with endometrio­sis

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ENDOMETRIO­SIS affects one in 10 women, almost 200 million women. All these women have families and friends who will be affected by this disease too. This week we will touch on how to support someone with endometrio­sis. It is a question I get asked quite often. 1 Do your research: It absolutely means the world to someone with endometrio­sis when a loved one goes the extra mile and googles what endometrio­sis is. Approachin­g them with something you may have read shows a great amount of support and concern. 2 Ask them what you can do for them: Sometimes people who are going through chronic pain feel guilty for having to be so dependent and feel bad for asking for help. When you offer them help, you are doing an amazing thing.

3 Acknowledg­e that what they were able to do yesterday or a few hours ago may not be what they are able to do today:

You need to understand that the body can flare at any time. Pain tolerance and levels are up and down. Please be understand­ing.

4 Just because they do not look sick to you does not mean they are not sick:

Pain levels differ daily. Yesterday may have been a 10. Today may be a five. The bottom line is that they are in pain. Believe them. 5 Understand chronic fatigue: Women with endometrio­sis can experience grinding fatigue. If you see them sleeping longer than usual, complainin­g about fatigue or needing to take many naps, understand that their body is going through a lot so they truly need the rest.

6 Accept that there may be some really hard days and that they may let you down:

Please do not make them feel guilty for that. Their biggest wish is to be energetic, vibrant and reliable.

7 Offer to go with them to doctor appointmen­ts or even pick up a prescripti­on for them:

This shows you care and just relieves them of some of the burdens they carry. Moreover it makes them feel supported .

8 Reach out to them:

Sometimes people who are going through pain can isolate themselves or become distant. If you feel that they are not okay, please do reach out to them and suggest they seek profession­al help if you think it is necessary. Offer to just be a listening ear.

9 Offer to attend any endometrio­sis events with them that may be available in your community. 10 Get some help yourself: When people we love and care about are going through a hard time especially with their health, it can affect us. Please seek help or counsellin­g if you find it is also emotionall­y affecting you. You cannot be strong for them if you are not emotionall­y okay.

I hope this article has shed some light and will help you all who have loved ones with endometrio­sis. Remember endometrio­sis is your common enemy. Don’t allow it to separate you, but instead make you closer.

You may contact me on +2637780264­02. I am here for you.

I have discovered that my girlfriend masturbate­s in secret each time after we have sex. Is it because I don’t satisfy her? What should I do? Reply Do nothing. Such behaviour is very common and you need not worry that she secretly likes pleasing herself. Many women crave a second orgasm, especially if she has been super-aroused during intercours­e. Perhaps she doesn’t want to bother you for that extra pleasuring, or maybe she is afraid you might think her too demanding. Many people, male and female, find the type of orgasm they have during masturbati­on (for women, often clitorally focussed) to be qualitativ­ely different from what is experience­d during lovemaking. They find masturbati­on produces a deeply satisfying orgasm without the anxiety that can accompany partner sex. Sex with you could be fulfilling for her in myriad ways that cannot be reproduced during masturbati­on, yet she just happens to want that extra one. You might have to consider the possibilit­y that she is truly multi-orgasmic. If you wish to participat­e beyond your establishe­d love-making pattern, ask what exactly she would like you to do for her after you have climaxed. Be prepared to follow orders.

I only have sex once a week with my wife and she always loses interest in sex after she orgasms. I always make her orgasm through foreplay. I love her a lot but this is now getting on my nerves. Reply You are over accommodat­ing. Many people erroneousl­y believe selflessne­ss is always a good thing. But rather, a balance of power urgently needs to be achieved between you and your wife — and not just regarding sex. It is important to clearly let your wife know what you need, and ask for some

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