A therapist has issued a serious warning about the necessity of making 'special time' for yourself, even after moving in with your partner.

Transitioning from living alone as a single person to cohabitating with a romantic partner can be a challenging endeavor. Certainly, having access to intimate moments at any desired time is a perk, but it may also lead to neglecting self-gratification, whether intentionally or not.

As mentioned, a psychosexual therapist has highlighted the risks of relying solely on your partner for intimacy, stressing that masturbation should not be disregarded.

Speaking to Metro, Gigi Engle clarified: "The sex life we have with ourselves is separate from our partners and requires nurturing.

"It has a place within relationships just as much as it does when you’re single."

Experts say it's essential to avoid disappointment (Getty Stock Image)

Continuing, she stated that the expectation for our partner to fulfill all our sexual needs should be dismissed to prevent both disappointment and awkward confrontations in the bedroom.

The fact is, she notes, women are scientifically more difficult to satisfy than men, due to their more complex genitalia, which often require additional attention.

Thus, women should continue exploring their own bodies, even when living with a partner.

"We feel self-conscious about masturbating when we live with someone because there is so much shame associated with solo sex," Engle continued. "It’s perceived as something dirty or shameful — leading to fears of being caught or judged, and a fear that it will make your partner feel inadequate."

The sexpert further suggested that, ideally, masturbation should be encouraged among partners and not viewed as a criticism of each other's shortcomings.

"In truth, we need to cultivate sexual relationships with ourselves," Engle explained. "Sex with our partners isn’t the only 'real' type of sex."

However, she acknowledges that not everyone may want their partner, especially if they are particularly sensitive, to know they have been engaging in self-exploration without them.

Experts say self-gratification is key (Getty Stock Images)

Adding that, while people 'don't owe [their] partner transparency', discussions about masturbation could be quite enlightening.

For those who prefer to keep their self-pleasure private, sex and relationship expert Annabelle Knight offered advice for anyone whose partner walks in on them during the act.

She explained to the publication that a partner should ideally react in one of three ways - the first being completely accepting of it.

Alternatively, they might choose to join in, or lastly, express their disappointment.

"Masturbation isn’t about replacing or rejecting but rather about enhancing your own pleasure reserves," she continued. "The more comfortable you are taking time for yourself, the more relaxed and connected you’ll feel in your relationship as well."

This, she suggests, should be communicated to the partner in such scenarios.

"It helps to be open about this and present masturbation as self-care rather than a form of rejection," Knight added. "A simple, 'Sometimes I like to take a bit of time for myself— it’s nothing to do with us, it just helps me unwind' is both honest and reassuring."