Sexual Anorexia

couple-facing-one-another-across-a-tableSexual anorexia is a complete or almost complete avoidance of sex and an aversion to sexual intimacy.

What Is Sexual Anorexia?

Sexual anorexia is not in and of itself a diagnosis, and can be caused by a variety of factors. It manifests primarily as consistent avoidance of sex. People with sexual anorexia might go months or even years without having any kind of sexual intimacy with their partners. Like anorexia nervosa, sexual anorexia can be perceived as a way of gaining control over one’s own body by depriving oneself. People with sexual anorexia may feel guilty or shameful about sex, might engage in unhealthy practices such as weight gain or drug use to decrease their partner’s interest in having sex with them, and may compulsively avoid sex or any acts that could lead to sex.

Some people with sexual anorexia do not have sex with their primary partners but watch pornography or pay for sex. When this occurs, sexual anorexia is correlated with a fear of intimacy rather than of sexual intercourse itself.

How Is Sexual Anorexia Treated?

A number of factors can contribute to the development of sexual anorexia. Unlike low libido, sexual anorexia is not caused by hormonal imbalances. Nor should it be confused with asexuality. Instead, sexual anorexia is a psychological phenomenon characterized by depriving oneself of the possibility of a fulfilling intimate life. Depression, anxiety, abuse, relationship problems, body image issues, and inexperience with sex can all contribute to the condition.

Psychotherapy can be extremely helpful in treating sexual anorexia, and couples experiencing the problem frequently benefit from relationship counseling. Therapy can help people to slowly reframe their negative thoughts about sex and unpack past experiences or difficult emotions that can contribute to sexual anorexia. Because some people with sexual anorexia have never had sex and have avoided talking or learning about sex, some people with the condition benefit from sex education that can help them feel more comfortable when they finally do have sex.

References:

  1. Is sexual anorexia the flip side of addiction? (n.d.). The New York Times. Retrieved from http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/11/is-sexual-anorexia-the-flip-side-of-sex-addiction/
  2. Sexual anorexia. (n.d.). The Dr. Oz Show. Retrieved from http://www.doctoroz.com/blog/paul-hokemeyer-phd-jd/sexual-anorexia

Last Updated: 01-24-2018

  • 10 comments
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  • Hashmi D.

    September 8th, 2014 at 8:05 AM

    it’s great.

  • Taylor V.

    July 6th, 2015 at 11:15 PM

    Or maybe you’re just asexual…

  • Mitchell L

    May 18th, 2016 at 12:09 AM

    It seems my girlfriend who was so intimate loving and caring to me is agreeing with my words that I love her. But she is not so actually into me like we were. I feel like I am getting manipulated. I was suppose to see her today but she backed out again and said she was in but just burnt out. What should I do. Do you think she is cheating on me. I would really like to have a solid input on this situation. She’s depressed and she’s not 100% happy with her body. Please someone help me though this tough time.

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