Fear of sexual intercourse in known by the Latin term Genophobia. When someone feels a persistent and significant aversion to sexual contact, it can affect their entire life. There are many reason why Genophobia can occur. It can impact relationships and self-confidence.
Reasons For Genphobia
There are a whole variety of different reasons why people can become phobic about sexual activity. Some of these reasons can stem from health problems that are beyond their control. For example, men can suffer from problems such as premature ejaculation that cause them embarrassment during intimate moments. Other men may struggle with the inability to achieve or maintain an erection, which may happen due to age or because of other health issues. Today, drugs like Viagra and its generic copies may allow men to enjoy sex for longer, but they do not always work. Problems like premature ejaculation can also be dealt with and treated.
For women, the fear of sex may happen because the act itself it painful. For certain women, a disorder known as Dyspareunia renders the act itself incredibly painful. It’s not hard to understand why women with this rare condition would rather avoid intercourse. Other women may suffer from a pronounced loss of libido due to changing hormone levels caused by any number of conditions: menopause, pregnancy, even monthly periods, all can affect the way a woman views sexual intercourse.
Frigidity: Myth Or Fact?
The state of female frigidity has been the subject of many debate and even the butt of jokes. However, as the decades pass more and more pyschologists and psychiatrists consider the whole idea of a “frigid woman” to be a myth.
While loss of libido is quite common, and occurs for many reasons, it is not a feeling that is exclusive to women. Men also suffer from the same issues and feelings. Indeed, the state of coldness and disinterest that may signal a fear of sex can often be traced back to the other facets of a relationship. For women, loss of libido can be a symptom of poor communication with a partner, lack of romance, and lack of excitement or stimulation in work and relationships. Women are subject to more hormone fluctuations as well, and they report loss of libido and fear of sex during pregnancy and the change of life, among other times. Men report loss of libido when paced with erectiile dysfunction, or stress caused by work or a troubled relationship.
Generally speaking, if someone feels “frigid”, they are simply not matched with the right partner, the person who can release the passion in their soul. Sex drive is hard wired in all of us, for the greater purposes of procreation. With the right person, this loss of libido can ease and the state of “frigidity” can disappear.
Other Triggers For Genophobia
Sexual abuse can cause Genophobia. It’s quite common for people who have suffered abuse to turn away from any sexual intimacy, because it reminds them of terrible things. As well, they have lost their faith and trust in other people. In sex, trust is key. When there is fear instead of trust, psychological problems and phobias may begin.
Religion and cultural background can also cause this phobia. The idea of chastity and purity can be very important (primarily for woman, but this can apply to both genders), and it can be quite inhibiting with regard to healthy expressions of sexuality.
The Threat Of Unwanted Pregnancy Or STD’s Can Also Be A Trigger
Today, venereal diseases and HIV/AIDS can be frightening. Despite safe sex, things can go wrong and people can be at risk. As well, unwanted pregnancy can be a threat that inhibits people from engaging in sexual activity. While some fear of diseases and pregnancy is healthy, it should not cause Genophobia. When it does, other psychological issues may be at play.
Symptoms of Fear of Sex
People with Genophobia may feel tense, sick, and frightened when confronted with the prospect of sexual activity. They will avoid film and television programs that feature graphic sexual content. As well, they may suffer from nausea, dizziness, and a feeling of doom when sexual content is nearby.
Treatment
Psychotherapy can be an effective means to get at the root of the fear of sex and overcome the phobia. Anti-depressants may be required to ease anxiety.
