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Disorder due to sex aversion: symptoms, causes and treatment

Disorder due to sex aversion: symptoms, causes and treatment

March 5, 2024

In the majority of the occasions we relate the sex with the experimentation of the pleasure and pleasant and satisfactory sensations. However, in some people this feeling is diametrically opposed. Are the cases of disorder by aversion to sex , a type of sexual dysfunction by which the person experiences a strong response of disgust or repulsion to sex in general or to certain specific sexual behaviors or practices.

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What is the disorder by aversion to sex?

Also known under the diagnosis of persistent sexual rejection, the disorder by aversion to sex is considered as a type of sexual dysfunction in which a constant or recurrent aversion to any type of sexual contact is experienced . People who suffer manifest a clear aversion to sex, which leads them to avoid sexual contacts, especially genitals, with another person.


In addition, the disorder by aversion to sex differs from the rest of sexual disorders in that this first generates repulsion, high levels of anxiety and panic states in the person , which experiences them before the possibility of any type of sexual activity.

This feeling of rejection can be given both to the idea of ​​carrying out sexual behaviors or relationships in general, and to specific and specific sexual practices such as oral sex or masturbation.

The incidence of the disorder by aversion to sex is much higher in women than in men and usually represents between 3 and 4% of the reasons for consultation in relation to sexual dysfunctions. For what is considered an infrequent alteration of sexual behavior.


However, in those cases in which the aversion to sex turns out to be very serious, the person who suffers it can go so far as not to relate to any person who can suppose a potential sexual partner or break a relationship when it is at the beginning of sexual relations.

Types of aversion to sex

There are different types of disorder due to sex aversion. While all have in common the feeling of rejection and disgust towards sex and active avoidance behaviors against any type of sexual contact, they differ in terms of the time of appearance and the range or level of involvement.

1. Primary sexual aversion

This first type of aversion to sex refers to those cases in which the person has felt a rejection of sex throughout his life . Most of these cases are closely associated with victims of sexual abuse during childhood.


2. Secondary sexual aversion

In these cases the person has come to live his sexuality without any kind of difficulty. However, as a result of some experience or situation this develops, gradually or suddenly, the aversion disorder. Usually this rejection of sex Appears in response to a situation of sexual abuse or rape .

3. Generalized aversion

In this case, the classification is not based on when the disorder appears, but rather on the degree of involvement it presents. In generalized aversion, the person experiences behaviors of disgust and aversion to sex independently of the partner or people with whom he carries them out.

4. Situational aversion

On the contrary, in situational aversion the person manifests the rejection of sex with certain specific people or with their partner. This disorder often causes many conflicts and difficulties within the relationship of the affected person.

What symptoms does it manifest?

As indicated in previous points, the main symptom that appears in the disorder by aversion to sex is related to the feelings of repulsion and anxiety . These symptoms appear due to a hyperactivation of the central nervous system, which gives rise to a series of changes and physical alterations such as the following:

  • Incrise of cardiac frecuency .
  • Increased sweating
  • Muscle tension.
  • Anxiety crisis .
  • Fades
  • Vertigo or feeling dizzy.
  • Choking sensation or lack of air.
  • Nausea and / or vomiting

Regarding the symptoms of behavioral type, the person can carry out different behaviors that aim to avoid all kinds of situations or people with whom there is a risk of initiating some type of sexual contact.

These behaviors range from the abandonment of body hygiene or excessive involvement in any other type of activities that allow you to have an excuse for not having sex.

Differences between this aversion disorder and sex phobia

Although both the physical and behavioral symptoms of the disorder by aversion to sex are similar to those of a sexual phobia, there are significant differences in terms of cognitive symptoms or feelings that the person experiences in relation to sex.

The main distinguishing feature is that while in the aversion disorder emotions are related to repulsion and disgust, in phobia the person experiences excessive, irrational and persistent fear before sexual behaviors.

That is, aversion to sex is associated with other types of emotions other than fear and is usually caused by specific aspects of sexual relationships such as secretions or penetration or by specific people. While sexual phobia consists in an experimentation of extreme fear towards sex in general.

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What are the causes?

Although the main cause of the disorder of aversion to the sex is in the manifestation of a negative attitude towards this, these attitudes can have diverse foundations or origins.

In the aversions of primary type there is usually a base related to poor sexual education or excessively rigid and restrictive, which considers sex as a harmful, harmful or pernicious act. Sometimes, people educated in very strict religious environments may have been educated under the belief that sex is something sinful, impure or indecent, hence the development of aversion.

As for secondary aversions, these tend to be related to traumatic experiences in relation to sex. Experiences of sexual abuse, rape or the pressure that the couple can exercise to maintain some type of sexual activity are the germ of the secondary aversion to sex aversion.

Is there a treatment?

Because it is a psychological condition, cognitive-behavioral interventions , which include systematic desensitization techniques, have been found to be highly effective for the treatment of sex aversion disorder. However, there are other psychodynamic treatments that although they require more time, can also be effective.

Thanks to these treatments, people suffering from sex aversion disorder can see how their symptoms diminish and even completely remit, offering them the possibility of leading a normal sex life.


Hypersexual Disorder (March 2024).


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