Sexual problems as a matter of course

The two most fundamental aspects of sexual relationships, passion and intimacy, are complex concepts, with at least partly paradoxical contents. Intimacy, for example, stands for unity and security, but also for shifting boundaries and exposure. Passion in its turn, stands for enthusiasm and energy, but also for surrender and dependency. It is this 'two sides of the coin' phenomenon that makes sexual relationships as interesting as they are dangerous. In terms of development, a relationship often starts with 'setting each other on fire' and ends with 'sexual burn-out'. In this paper, an analysis is made of the way patients, but also health care providers such as gynecologists and sexologists, cope with these unavoidable phenomena in sexual relationships.