Does the thought of sex always fill you with so much revulsion and digust? Do you persistently dread the possibility of sex or seriously dislike the act of someone, irrespective of who they are, flirting with and making sexual passes at you? Do you find the sight of genitals extremely disturbing and distressing? Then it is very possible you are suffering from a condition called sexual aversion disorder.


To be able to understand sexual aversion disorder, one must first understand that there are instances where it is perfectly normal for people to lose interest in sexual activity. For example, it is normal for your libido to nosedive during menopause; directly after the birth of a child; before or during menstruation; during recovery from an illness or surgery; and during such major or stressful life changes as death of a loved one, job loss, retirement, or divorce. Instances such as these are considered as normal and often temporary, unlike what is experienced in sexual aversion disorder.


Sexual aversion disorder (SAD), defined as a persistent or recurrent extreme aversion to, and avoidance of all or almost all, genital sexual contact with a sexual partner which causes distress or interpersonal difficulty, depicts a more severe and disturbing loss of interest in sex. In SAD, there is a persistent and morbid fear of sex (coitophobia): just the thought or intent of engaging in sexual activities causes so much distress, revulsion and disgust. Some sufferers even get to experience panic panic attacks, nausea or chest tightness with shortness of breath. Now, while all sufferers of SAD experience a general aversion towards genitals, in some others just the mere act if kissing, hugging or caressing, even without sex, is met with serious distress.


Sexual aversion disorder can be classified as either primary SAD (lifelong SAD i.e it has always been there from day one) or secondary SAD (acquired SAD- happens in a person who had a normal sexual desire. This usually happens after a major sexual trauma); situational SAD (that occurs only in certain instances and with certain partners) or generalized SAD (that occurs in all situations and with any partner). Regardless of which form it chooses to manifest itslef, there is no denying the fact that SAD is often the reason why a lot of marriages or relationships experience conflicts. Except you and your partner are both aversed to sex, this is one problem you must quickly solve before embarking on any serious relationship.


CAUSES OF SEXUAL AVERSION DISORDER
So what exactly is responsible for this distrubing aversion towards sexual pleasure? What might make anyone exhibit such profound dislike for sex?


#1. Sexual trauma:
When sex is forced and achieved against one's will, it can mess up the person's mind and result in SAD. Be it a rape, abuse or an incest, sexual trauma especially when it occurs during the early formative years, such as childhood and adolescence (when the brain is creating pathways to understand sexuality) can cause SAD.


#2. Overexposure to negative stories about sex:
When you are constantly exposed to very horrible, graphic and negative stories about sex, even before you experience sex, it can accumulate over time and cause you mind to start viewing sex as a misnomer...something utterly bad and unenjoyable. With time, you lapse into an aversion.


#3. Persistent painful and unenjoyable sex:
If every sexual experience you have had was always unbearably painful, this can cause you to start viewing it as a painful and unnecessary experience. Initially, you may try to endure it just to please your partner, but with time you will start to loathe and avoid it.


HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE IT?
Often times, people are quick to confuse SAD with low sex drive. The two are very different entities and are managed differently as well. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM-IV-TR ), to meet criteria for a diagnosis of sexual aversion disorder the patient must not only avoid nearly all genital contact with his or her partner, but have strong negative feelings about such contact or its possibility. In addition, the aversion must be causing distress, difficulties and unhappiness either for the person or for his or her partner. Also, there must not be any underlying physical causes, such as certain disorders of the circulatory system, skin diseases, medication side effects, 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.



WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE SAD
Sadly, sexual aversion disoder is a difficult nut to crack- but it can be cracked nonetheless, and quite successfully, with patience and dedication. How? Psychotherapy.
A psychiatrist or clinical psychologist, via psychotherapy, can successfully uncondtion and unlearn the experience in SAD sufferers. But again, it often requires time and constant counseling sessions. You must be willing to and actually attend the counseling sessions for cure to be effected. The place of drugs is in the management of some of the symptoms and complications of SAD e.g Anxiolytics for anxiety, antidepressants for depression, etc.


NB: If you are not sure what it is you have or you are sure it is SAD but you are in dire need of help, visit www.DoctorsHub.com.ng and have any one of our doctors attend to you. We would be glad to help you overcome this problem.


Thanks for reading!




http://doctorshub.com.ng/2017/02/05/sexual-aversion-disorder-whh-you-hate-and-avoid-sex-so-much/

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