DEAR Dr. Fritz,

I hope this letter reaches you well. I am Myrna of Digos. I am writing you because you are one of those experts in sexology. My problem, Doc, is my migraine. This has really been plaguing me, such that when my husband would ask me to make love with him, it would just happen that my migraine would also hit me.

Naturally, I would turn him down. This had already happened several times. This has really affected the frequency and quality of our intimacy in bed. I am scared my husband would look for intimacy from someplace else, or he would misinterpret that I don’t want him anymore. God knows, how much I love my husband. That is why I feel threatened with our situation now because of my ever dreadful migraine. How can I turn back the tide, Doc?

I hope you can help me. Thank you and God bless you always.

Myrna of Digos

*****

Dear Myrna of Digos,

I can feel you. I can understand how tough migraine can be. I am one of those who have been plagued with migraine. That’s why I can understand you and I can feel your pains.

Yes, migraines can really be tough - not just on the pains that we feel, but, also with our relationships to the people around us, especially those we love - which, of course, they might misinterpret.

The pains could irritate us, which made us push our loved ones away. I could not blame you. No one could blame you. If they were only in your shoes, then, they would understand. The fangs of pain are insurmountable and you just wanted to drift away from this world, even for just a few seconds.

Let me show you a study in the department of neurology at Mount Sinai West Hospital in New York. Their study found that about one-quarter of patients mentioned that migraines affected the frequency or quality of their sex lives. As a matter of fact, in that study, five percent even claimed that it was the cause of their divorce or end of their relationship.

So, my dear Myrna, you are just one of those normal people feeling this way.

But, don’t be sad. There are ways, of course to get you back on track and turn the wheel to your side.

Oh, oh, I would have wanted to start now for the in-depth discussion, but, since we are running of space for now, so, let me then, continue this in my next issue. Until then!

Dr. Fritz

*****

(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.” She is also a faculty in a College of Pharmacy. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o SunStar-Davao Publishing Inc., Ebro-Pelayo Building, Jacinto St., Davao City, (former Department of Foreign Affairs office), across Ateneo de Davao University and beside Holy Child School of Davao, or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)