Anne Truong MDMen's Sexual Health Doctor

How to say you need intimacy without giving an ultimatum. #healthyboundaries

1 Jan 2026 · 1 min

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0:47

Anne Truong MD gives brief relationship advice about stating sexual and physical intimacy needs without issuing ultimatums. She emphasizes holding both your needs and your partner's autonomy, offers example wording to be honest about stakes ("I'm really struggling..." / "I'm worried I'll become more resentful"), and contrasts ultimatums with healthier time-framed, non-threatening statements.

Chapters

We're going to talk about now the needs and boundaries. Without being forceful, your sexual partner needs matter, their autonomy matters. You have to hold both at the same time. So state your needs clearly without threat. Try saying sexual and physical intimacy are important needs for me in a long term relationship. I'm really struggling without them and I'd like us to see if there's any path that can work for both of us. Be honest about the stakes without ultimatum. Ultimatum sounds like if you don't have with me, I'm leaving. A healthier version is if nothing changes over time. I'm worried I'll become more resentful and that it will damage us.