I have been dating my girlfriend for 6 months and been involved for a year. We are deep in love but seem to argue a lot. I have a temper and trust issues but they have gotten much better over the past few months. The other day I got mad at her and said some things I didn't mean. Nothing too bad, but I hurt her feelings.

We spent thanksgiving with my family and as I dropped her off she said she had a great time but still needed a little bit of space because she was hurt by what I said. Anyway, to make a long story short I feel that we are starting to lose our spark. We are currently unable to have sex because she recently got her IUD taken out after suffering from an ectopic pregnancy and is constantly spotting from having the birth control taken out. She is under a lot of stress and lost her grandmother around this holiday a few years ago so it's always an emotional time.

Right to the point - I feel that I spoil her. She doesn't have a car so I go see her, I take her out to eat, I took her to Miami a month ago for a week, I bring her to my lake house, we see each other every weekend, I spend lots of time with her (at least 3 days/nights a week and we live in different cities - 15 minutes apart). I am always there for her.

We got into an argument a few weeks ago and she wanted her space for the weekend and I agreed to give it to her but she ended up in the hospital with chest pain so of course I was there for her and we had a great weekend. When we're together we have a great time.

I know I am suppose to agree to give her space when a woman wants her space. I usually fight her on it and I usually win because we end up having a great time but I feel like she is really craving this space. I just feel like she is getting use to me. She use to massage me all the time but now only asks for massages never gives. She stills cooks for me every single morning and night that we don't go out. She says she still loves me and her feelings haven't changed. I have no suspicion that she might be creeping or looking for something else, she is 26 years old and has experienced a lot and been in numerous relationships, she's not curious about anything that I know of.

So my question is how can I slow this dying spark down? We can't make love, I can't please her right now so what else? I'm going to give her this space but I'm afraid it won't be a cure because I have a feeling she is going to contact me tonight or tomorrow (space started a few hours ago). I obviously can't stop taking her out or to the lake house because then it'd seem like I'm the one losing feelings or less interested.

I feel I've created a monster. I mean don't get me wrong I'm not the type a guy who wants to buy a woman's love and takes her on constant shopping sprees, but I truly help her financially in every way. She has a son and a minimum wage job and I have paid her rent before (not something I usually do, only once) and help her in every way I can.

I believe we are in true love and both want this relationship to work but don't really know what to do to stop arguing. I don't want her to be too comfortable with me but I don't know how to prevent this. I will post follow up things if I think of anything but please, any advice would be greatly appreciated. I want to save this relationship and I believe it's not too late.

We have something great here and I just want to make the right moves to keep that spark and keep her interested and less comfortable about what she can do or say to me. Thanks!

Also, I'd like your thoughts on whether I'm making the right choice in to give her space. I've made very clear how much I love her and how I don't want to go without talking but I'm willing to compromise if she thinks it'll help her feel better. She specifically said the she does believe time will fix our problem from last week (the argument) and will bring us closer.

By the way, I asked her specifically if she was talking about actually TAKING a break (more permanent) or just taking some time to her self (very temporary). She said just taking some time to herself implying it would only be a short period.

My best advice is give her what she asked for without the needy, insecure, tug of war. Its sounds like you are smothering her.

Don't argue, just say okay call you later, or see you later, and do your own thing for a while. Its only been 6 months and you are all up in her space all the time so let her breath. Back up, as TOO MUCH, TOO FAST, CRASH AND BURN! Less is more and quality over quantity.

Cool, calm, collected, and in control, and when you can't make love to her body, make love to her mind.

It sounds like you are catering to her. I mean buying her things taking her places. I would let her have her space. Obviously she can't see a good thing when she has it. YOur not helping her by buying her things, paying her rent for her... what does she do for you? Having a partner is exactly what it... a partnership. It's not a one way street. It sounds like she has things pretty good to me.

I agree with talaniman: "when you can't make love to her body, make love to her mind." It sounds like a lot of the intimacy issues you guys are having are in part affected by her ectopic pregnancy and the IUD issue. There are plenty of ways to be intimate with a woman without having sex, and trust me, we like those things. It makes many women feel closer to their partners.

As for the financial woes, you can only give what you're comfortable with. If you feel like she's taking advantage of you, stop giving her money. Surely she managed before you came on the scene, and if you leave, she'd have to cope with that, too. Never give what you're not willing to give wholly and completely--it only breeds resentment in a relationship.