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![Pareja sentada en su cama - Acercarse a su pareja acerca de los problemas íntimos requiere confianza, ánimo y delicadeza. Pareja sentada en su cama - Acercarse a su pareja acerca de los problemas íntimos requiere confianza, ánimo y delicadeza.](https://cdn.aarp.net/content/dam/aarpe/en/home/home-family/sex-intimacy/info-01-2013/married-having-sex-relationships-schwartz/_jcr_content/root/container_main/container_body_main/container_body1/container_body_cf/body_one_cf_one/par0/articlecontentfragme/cfimage.coreimg.50.932.jpeg/content/dam/aarp/home-and-family/sex-and-intimacy/2012-11/420-couple-sitting-bed-advice-communicate-sexual-issues-esp.jpg)
I know men and women who don't like something their partner does in bed. Yet nary a peep do they utter about it. I also know men and women who do like — or imagine they would — something their partner isn't doing in bed. Again, never do they bring it up.
This explains why I'm constantly urging communication. When each person in a relationship feels free to reveal his or her specific desires, both partners' ideas for sexual corrections — or additions — can be voiced without jeopardizing the union. Some of these ideas will be agreed upon, put into regular practice or merely sampled once or twice. Others will never come close to being "sheet-tested." But the honesty of the exercise is likely to reinforce a couple's intimacy and love.
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So … which maneuvers are people most afraid to talk about? Let's get real here.
1. Something they would like to change.
Typically this is something basic: You're not getting kissed the way you want to, or your partner is treating your body parts too roughly, or mashing you into the mattress.
If that describes your situation, you'll have to proceed gingerly. Take a quiet, nonsexual moment to say you'd really like to try a different kissing style, stroking motion or lovemaking position. Be careful how you phrase things. A few possibilities:
"Lately I've found myself fantasizing about deeper, harder kisses — could we try a few that way?"
"I'd like to try some new ways of balancing your weight."
Make it sound fun to try — something the two of you can innovate together. You may need to get clinically specific: "Put your hand right here … now apply a little less pressure … yes, that's it!" With a little nerve and a lot of encouragement, you can get exactly what you want in bed. Oh, and when you do? Show all kinds of appreciation: heightened arousal, green-light noises, grateful hugs and kisses.
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