What does aversion to sex consist of?

2041
Simon Doyle
What does aversion to sex consist of?

Contents

  • The normal loss of desire
  • Difference between normal loss of desire and aversion to sex
  • Causes of Sex Aversion Disorder
  • Main symptoms
  • Prevalence of Sex Aversion Disorder
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Forecast

The normal loss of desire

To understand sexual aversion, we must bear in mind that there are circumstances in which it is normal for people to lose interest in sexual activity.

There are a number of reasons why a person may lose interest in sex. It is normal to experience a loss of desire for example, during menopause, after the birth of a child, before or during menstruation, during recovery from illness or surgery, and during major life changes or stressors such as the death of a child. loved one, job loss, retirement, or divorce. All of these are considered normal causes of fluctuations in sexual desire and are generally temporary. Not having enough time for yourself or to be alone with your partner can also contribute to the normal and naturally reversible loss of desire. Loss of privacy from a dependent elderly parent moving home is also a common cause of loss of desire in middle-aged couples. Depression, fatigue, or stress also contribute to decreased interest in sex.

Difference between normal loss of desire and aversion to sex

But all these external and temporary situations do not represent a true Sex Aversion Disorder, an aversion is something much stronger, which presents itself as an active avoidance of sexual activity, regardless of the normal ups and downs in desire described above..

Sex Aversion Disorder is characterized not only by lack of desire, but also by fear, revulsion, disgust, and similar emotions when the person comes into contact with a partner's genitalia. The aversion can present itself in different ways, it can be related to specific aspects of sexual intercourse, such as seeing the partner's genitalia or the smell of their bodily secretions, but it may not include kisses, hugs and caresses, as well as the relationships themselves. In some cases, the person with sexual aversion disorder avoids any type of sexual contact; others, however, are not bothered by the kisses and caresses, and are able to arrive normally until genital contact occurs.

Aversion to Sex can be caused by psychological factors or by a combination of physical and psychological factors..

Causes of Sex Aversion Disorder

There are a number of causes described for Sexual Aversion Disorder. The most common are interpersonal problems and traumatic experiences.

Interpersonal problems generally cause a situation-specific type of aversion disorder, in which symptoms occur only with a specific partner or under certain circumstances. In such cases, the underlying trigger is tension or discontent with the relationship. The reasons for unhappiness with the relationship may be due to the discovery of marital infidelity, disagreements about children's education, money and family roles, domestic violence, etc. Interpersonal problems are often the cause that the previously enjoyed sexual relationship is no longer desired.

It has also been found that traumatic experiences are often the cause of Sex Aversion Disorder, in this case of the generalized variety. Some of the possible traumas include rape, incest, sexual abuse, or other forms of sexual violence. After the traumatic experience, the patient associates intercourse with the painful memory, something that he is actually trying to forget.

Finally, Sex Aversion Disorder can also be caused by strict religious or cultural teachings, in which sexual activity is associated with excessive feelings of guilt..

Main symptoms

Symptoms of Sex Aversion Disorder can range from mild to severe..

Mild symptoms include lack of interest and mild disgust.

Serious symptoms can include panic attacks, with all the symptoms that such an attack entails, including dizziness, shortness of breath, intense fear, and rapid heartbeat. People with this disorder often avoid situations that could end up in sexual contact through any means they can think of, including going to bed at different times with a spouse, spending more time at work, or trying to show little. sexually attractive.

Prevalence of Sex Aversion Disorder

Both men and women can experience sexual aversion disorder. It is believed to be more common in women than men, possibly because women are more likely than men to be victims of rape and other forms of sexual assault. There are relatively few statistics on the number of people with Sex Aversion Disorder, as it is often confused with other disorders, or with the normal fluctuations in desire associated with stress. Also, many people find sex a difficult topic to discuss even with a doctor, so the number of people seeking help is probably less than the number of people suffering from this disorder..

Diagnosis

To meet the criteria for a diagnosis of Sex Aversion Disorder, the patient must not only avoid almost all genital contact with his partner, but must present strong negative feelings about such contacts or their possibility. Furthermore, the problem must be the cause of serious marital difficulties and unhappiness, either for the patient or for his partner. Also, there must be no underlying physical causes, such as certain circulatory system disorders, skin conditions, side effects of medication, or similar problems that could cause a loss of desire. To be diagnosed with sexual aversion disorder, the affected person does not have to avoid all sexual contact, but must indicate that he or she is actively avoiding genital contact..

Many other sexual disorders have signs and symptoms similar to those of Sex Aversion Disorder, which complicates the diagnosis. This disorder, for example, is very similar in many ways to Hypoactive Desire Disorder. Many of the signs, such as avoiding sexual contact in a variety of ways, are similar. The main difference between the two disorders is that hypoactive desire disorder is not interested in sex at all and has no sexual fantasies of any kind. In contrast, a patient with sexual aversion disorder may have normal sexual fantasies, and even function normally with some people, although not with a specific partner. Also, a patient with hypoactive desire disorder will not enjoy any type of sexual activity, including kissing and caressing. Some, but not all, those with sex aversion disorder may enjoy foreplay, but not genital contact..

Treatment

The usual treatment is psychosexual therapy, where the psychologist will look for what is causing the problem. Couples therapy is often appropriate if the disorder involves a spouse. Medications can be used to treat some symptoms that may be associated with sexual aversion disorder, such as panic attacks, if they are severe enough to cause additional distress..

Forecast

When sexual aversion disorder is approached as a psychological disorder, treatment can be very successful. Psychotherapy for the treatment of underlying psychological problems can be successful as long as the patient is willing to attend counseling sessions regularly. For situational or acquired sexual aversion disorder, it is important that both the patient and his partner attend therapy, in order to help resolve interpersonal conflicts that may be contributing to the disease.

If Sex Aversion Disorder goes undiagnosed and treated, the result can be infidelity, divorce, or chronic unhappiness in the relationship or marriage..


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