Sex File: Could our make-up lovemaking become toxic? 

"You are right to be aware of emerging patterns related to conflict resolution, but sex is a valid form of communication and it has an almost unparalleled power to increase intimacy and alleviate stress, something that both of you desperately need right now."

Picture: iStock 

My boyfriend and I have been together for several happy years, but have hit our first rocky patch lately. Various outside stressors (unwell parents - mine; unemployment - him) have caused us to argue more than normal. We have tried going to couples' counselling, but what has felt more helpful to me has been having (quite charged) "make-up sex" after an argument. 

It means we don't always address things with a proper conversation, or actually talk things through, but is that a problem if ultimately we feel connected again at the end of the day? Could it develop into a toxic cycle where we "fix" arguments with sex without actually addressing things?