Two Ways That Relationship Problems Affect Your Health
When a romantic relationship is going well, it can do wonders for both your physical and mental health; knowing that you are loved and supported by someone can make you feel more energetic, motivated and optimistic about life. However, if you and your partner are having relationship problems, this can have a negative impact on your overall well-being. Here are two ways that these type of issues can affect your health.
They can increase your stress levels
If you and your partner regularly have full-blown arguments or even if you simply have a tendency to squabble quite often, this could drastically increase your stress levels. Whilst temporary bouts of stress are not usually harmful, feeling constantly tense because of disagreements with your loved one can wreak havoc on your health.
Chronically high stress levels have been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and digestive problems. Stress can also have an indirect impact on your health by causing you to indulge in harmful habits. When you're feeling tense after a particularly heated argument with your partner, you may find yourself reaching for that second or third glass of wine, smoking cigarettes or skipping your usual exercise classes. These behaviours could have a detrimental effect on both your mental and physical well-being; they could cause weight gain, respiratory problems or even trigger a bout of depression if you are prone to this mental health condition.
As such, if you notice that your stress levels have risen as a result of your frequent arguments with your other half, it's important to address the issue as soon as possible. If you and your partner are unable to discuss difficult topics without quarrelling, consider going for a few counselling sessions. A counsellor should be able to teach you how to resolve your problems in a healthy manner, without resorting to stress-inducing arguments that could harm your health.
They can put you at risk of contracting STIs
If the problems in your relationship are the result of your partner's infidelity, you could be at risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI), particularly if you and your other half have not been using barrier contraceptives (such as condoms). If they are not treated promptly, certain types of STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, could potentially result in infertility and other issues with your reproductive system.
As such, if your partner has told you that they have had sex with someone else, it is crucial to book an appointment with a sexual health clinic, like Travellers Medical Services, in your local area as soon as possible. The doctors and nurses at this clinic will take swabs and blood samples and perform a physical examination to determine whether or not you have contracted an STI. If you have, they may prescribe medication (such as antibiotics) or offer other forms of treatment.
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