Home AVOIDING SEX
[SEXUAL AVERSION]
SINGULAR DEFINITIONS
NewsLetter
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter
UNSUBSCRIBE
Definition:
Sexual aversion or phobia is the persistent or recurrent phobic aversion to the thought of or attempts at sexual activity with another person, and avoidance of sexual contact with a sexual partner, which causes personal and/or partner distress. A phobia is an irrational fear about something that most people would not find threatening.
Sexual aversion may be:
Sexual aversion or phobia is the persistent or recurrent phobic aversion to the thought of or attempts at sexual activity with another person, and avoidance of sexual contact with a sexual partner, which causes personal and/or partner distress. A phobia is an irrational fear about something that most people would not find threatening.
Sexual aversion may be:
- lifelong [primary]: affects the person from the onset of sexual activity.
- acquired [secondary]: occurs after a period of normal sexual function.
- generalized: the aversion occurs on every occasion.
- situational: aversion manifests only in certain circumstances or with a particular partner.
Women who suffer with sexual aversion may develop overwhelming anxiety or panic attacks at the thought of any sexual contact [even kissing], and experience physical manifestations of fear such as: sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, palpitations, faintness, breathing difficulties, dizziness or feelings of terror, disgust or shame.
They avoid physical contact in order to prevent triggering an attack. Masturbation or even genital stimulation by her partner may not be associated with these feelings, and some may even experience arousal orgasm, but cannot tolerate penetrative sex.
