This month, Dr. Srinivasan and other sexual health experts discuss the most common types of sex anxiety.
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Our feelings around sex are not just complex, but unique to each person.
For the most part, these anxious feelings are nothing to worry about.
(That last areola-related concern is a very real anxiety I have expressed to my husband.)
But for some people, these types of thoughts can be on-going and, in turn, become debilitating.
These feelings are broadly referred to as sex anxiety.
What is sex anxiety?
At this point, one would likely benefit from meeting with a sex therapist or sexual medicine specialist.
When its related to sex, it anxiety can show up as avoidance and issues around performance.
Clinical social workerStefani Goerlich, Ph.D, reminds us that anxiety can feel different to different people.
Sex therapistCasey Tannerbreaks down the thoughts associated with performance anxiety into four buckets.
Its absolutely normal to have an off day, whether its with someone new or a long-term partner.
Plus, many of our ideas around what perfect sex looks like comes from mainstream porn.
These issues become clinical when they occur consistently and repeatedly, even with different partners.
This can show up asgender dysphoriawhere one feels like their current body does not match their gender identity.
Sex or any key in of sexual activity can also be a hot bed for dysmorphia, Tanner mentions.
While it is mainly reported in women, there have been somerare casesof men experiencing it as well.
These days, it’s rare to receive SAD as a diagnosis.
‘Sexual Aversion Disorder’ assumes that sexual desire is normal and that the absence of desire is problematic.
In most cases, were unconsciously projecting those feelings whenever we engage in sexual activities.
And this is key to overcoming sex anxiety.
If its sexual pain, then it’s a referral to a sexual medicine physician and pelvic physical therapist.
