Most of the time we relate sex with the experience of pleasure and pleasant and satisfactory sensations. However, in some people this feeling is diametrically opposed. These are cases of sex aversion disorder , a type of sexual dysfunction in which the person experiences a strong response of disgust or repulsion to sex in general or to certain specific sexual behaviours or practices.

What is sex aversion disorder?

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

In addition, sex aversion disorder differs from other sexual disorders in that sex aversion generates repulsion, high levels of anxiety and panic in the person , which are experienced by the person when faced with the possibility of any type of sexual activity.

This feeling of rejection can be caused by the idea of engaging in sexual behaviour or relationships in general, or by specific, concrete sexual practices such as oral sex or masturbation.

The incidence of sex aversion disorder is much higher in women than in men and usually represents between 3 and 4% of the reasons for consultation regarding sexual dysfunctions. It is therefore considered to be an infrequent alteration of sexual behaviour.

However, in those cases where the aversion to sex is very serious, the person who suffers it may go so far as not to relate to any person who could be a potential sexual partner or to break off a relationship when this gives way to the beginning of sexual relations.

Types of sex aversion

There are different types of sex aversion disorder. Although they all have in common the feeling of rejection and repugnance towards sex and active avoidance behaviours towards any kind of sexual contact, they differ in terms of the time of onset and the range or level of affectation.

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/her 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 or her sexuality without any difficulty. However, as a result of some experience or situation this develops, gradually or suddenly, such aversion disorder. Usually this rejection of sex appears in response to a situation of sexual abuse or rape .

3. Widespread dislike

In this case the classification is not based on when the disorder appears, but rather on the degree of affectation that it presents. In generalized aversion, the person experiences disgusting and sex-aversive behaviors regardless of the partner or people with whom they are carried out.

4. Situational aversion

On the contrary, in situational aversion, the person manifests the rejection of sex with certain specific persons or with his or her partner. This disorder often causes numerous conflicts and difficulties within the partner relationship of the person concerned.

What symptoms do you show?

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

  • Increased heart rate .
  • Increased sweating.
  • Muscle tension.
  • Crisis of anxiety .
  • Fades.
  • Dizziness or feeling of dizziness.
  • Feeling of suffocation or lack of air.
  • Nausea and/or vomiting.

In terms of behavioural symptoms, the person may carry out different behaviours that aim to avoid all kinds of situations or people with whom there is a risk of initiating some kind of sexual contact.

These behaviors range from abandoning body hygiene or becoming overly involved in any other type of activity that allows you to have an excuse not to have sex.

Differences between this aversion disorder and sex phobia

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

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

In other words, aversion to sex is associated with emotions other than fear and is often caused by specific aspects of sex such as secretions or penetration or by specific individuals. Whereas sex phobia is an experience of extreme fear of sex in general.

What are the causes?

Although the main cause of sex aversion disorder is found in the manifestation of a negative attitude toward sex, these attitudes may have various foundations or origins.

In primary aversions there is usually a basis related to poor sex 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 brought up 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 partner’s own pressure to engage in some form of sexual activity are the seeds of secondary sex aversion disorder.

Is there a treatment?

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

Thanks to these treatments, people with sex aversion disorder can see their symptoms decrease and even go into complete remission, giving them the chance to lead a normal sex life.