Sex problems

Written by Bonnie Gifford
Bonnie Gifford
Counselling Directory Content Team

Reviewed by Nora Allali-Carling
Last updated 3rd February 2023 | Next update due 2nd February 2026

Sex problems are common and can occur for any number of different reasons. In most cases, sexual problems can be linked to other challenges or difficulties you are facing within your life. More complex or severe problems can have a deeper, long-term effect that could impact different areas of your life, relationships, and even sexuality.

Sex therapy can help you to develop a healthier attitude toward sex and sexual intimacy, as well as explore any underlying issues that may be impacting your ability to enjoy sex.

What are sex problems?

Sex problems, or sexual dysfunction, refer to a wide range of difficulties that may happen at any point before, during or after sex. The sexual response cycle (a sequence of emotional and physical changes that happen when you become aroused and engage in sexually stimulating activity, such as masturbation or intercourse) has four stages; excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. If your body doesn’t respond during one or more of these states, it can be a sign that there may be a problem.

Experiencing sexual problems at some point during your life can be perfectly normal. While everyone’s problems and sexual experiences can be different, it’s important to remember that we can also face similar issues. If you are experiencing problems with sex, you may feel alone and helpless, embarrassed, ashamed, or afraid. These are common things felt by people living with sexual dysfunctions. Feeling this way can lead to people waiting months or even years to seek help and support.

If you're worried you may be experiencing sex and intimacy problems, it’s important to speak up and seek help. Reaching out can be scary, but it’s the first step toward finding out what is causing you problems and helping you to fix or manage them. There are many options available, such as sex therapy, which is considered to be a highly effective way of addressing sexual dysfunctions.


Sex problems and intimacy 

If you are experiencing sex problems, you may worry that your partner is no longer interested or is less attracted to you.  For those with painful sexual issues, it's common to avoid intimacy for fear this might increase pain, or perhaps you feel the pressure to perform, such as achieving orgasm, and the fear of failure is lowering your sex drive. Sex problems can make intimacy harder or less enjoyable, which might go on to affect your relationship.

In this video, relationship counsellor and psychosexual therapist, Becky Francis, explains more about intimacy and relationships and how therapy can help.

Many worry about the loss of intimacy, asking: can a relationship survive without intimacy? How we talk about intimacy can be the first step toward addressing any concerns. Relate, the relationships charity, has created a sex and intimacy quiz to help you identify where any problems may be coming from, what your emotional triggers may be, and how you can boost your intimacy to increase feelings of satisfaction and connection.

Speaking together with a relationship therapist or couples counsellor can help you to explore any conflicts or underlying issues, creating a safe space where communication can be addressed at put at the forefront.


What causes sex problems?

A number of different things can cause you to develop sexual problems. Generally, issues develop due to a combination of physical, emotional, psychological and situational reasons. These can include:

Physical factors: disabilities, illnesses or long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, drug or alcohol addiction. 

Psychological: many different mental health issues can negatively impact your sexual desire and responses. These can include anxiety, depression, stress, and more. 

Emotional: feelings of betrayal, unhappiness in your relationship, or unresolved grief can all take their toll. If you have low self-esteem, this may also be having a negative impact on your levels of sexual desire and desirability. Past traumatic experiences with sexual abuse can also have a greater effect than you may realise, and may leave you feeling unable to fully enjoy or participate in sexual intimacy. 

Situational: changes in your day-to-day life, circumstances, or living situation can all contribute to the development of sex problems. For example, if you have recently moved, are having financial issues, or have had a child.


What are the common sex problems?

Our problems with sex can feel very personal, however many of us face similar issues and struggles due to our experiences, situations, worries, or gender. Many common sex problems can be addressed, improved, and even overcome with the help and support of counselling.

In this video, clinical and chartered psychologist, Dr Robert O’Flaherty, explains more about common sex problems, and how therapy can help.

Peer pressure

Along with a number of physical health risks that are worth keeping in mind when exploring different sexual activities, there can be an emotional impact if one partner is keener to experiment, or if another feels pressured to try something they may not be ready for. This can cause undue stress and anxiety, or may even lead to feelings of upset and resentment. Creating an open, honest dialogue about why experimenting with sex is important to incorporate within your relationship can be a positive first step towards avoiding any related issues or upset.  

Problems during or after sex

This may include pain, feelings of guilt, anxiety or loneliness. Ensuring there are no physical issues such as an STD or STI, an infection like thrush, tight or torn foreskin, swollen testicles, inflamed prostate, or vaginal dryness should be the first step. Getting advice from your GP or a healthcare professional at a GUM (genitourinary medicine) clinic is simple, confidential, and free. If you are embarrassed or nervous about speaking with your GP, check your local area for a walk-in clinic. You are not required to give your real name (though you may need to provide contact details if you are seeking any tests).   

Age-related sex problems and concerns

As you age, sexual issues may develop. These can cause additional worry and anxiety around your body image, self-confidence, or even your identity. For men, arousal from visual stimulations may not be as easy, your erection may not be as firm, or you may have a longer period between when you are able to climax. For women, gradual changes (often menopause-related) can include a loss of libido, decreasing or lack of lubrication, trouble sleeping or night sweats.

While men may typically find age-related changes to be a concern, many women report an improvement in their sex lives, finding changes to be a liberating experience when they feel able to talk about their changing needs. 

Saying things out loud to another person can feel like a tremendous relief, and feels completely different from the thoughts going around in your head. There is something about the process of speaking about issues that feels very different.

Sex addiction

Also known as hypersexuality, sex addiction generally refers to a feeling that you can’t stop or resist a particular sexual activity or related action, such as masturbation, accessing pornography, paying for sex, or having cybersex.

As with other forms of addiction, this can lead to feelings of isolation, regret, powerlessness, anxiety, remorse, and shame. Inpatient treatment, 12-step recovery programmes, one-to-one counselling, group therapy, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are just a few of the ways you can address any worries about sexual addictions.

Medical-related sex problems 

If you have a chronic illness or are diagnosed with diabetes or cancer, there may be an impact on your sex life. While being diagnosed with any of these conditions doesn’t necessarily mean you will experience sexual problems, the added stress and worry may impact your health and well-being.

Diabetes UK has put together a guide on some of the key problems you may experience if you are diagnosed as a diabetic. If you are currently or have been previously treated for cancer, Cancer Research UK and Macmillan cancer support have put together some common questions, experiences, and things you can try to overcome any sex and relationship issues. 

Pain during sex

Also known as dyspareunia, pain during sex can be very common for those who have gone through, or are going through menopause. There are various medical conditions that can contribute to this pain, including endometriosis, and ovarian cysts, but other issues such as poor lubrication during sexual intimacy may be psychologically linked. Other causes include scar tissue from surgery and sexually transmitted diseases. 

In some cases, people with vaginas experiencing pain during sex may have vaginismus - a distressing condition characterised by an involuntary spasm of the muscles that surround the entrance of the vagina. Vaginismus is common in those who fear penetration, and this may stem from a long-term sexual phobia, or a previous traumatic or painful experience, such as sexual abuse or childbirth. Vaginismus symptoms may also be linked to relationship problems or fear of pregnancy. Vaginal trainers are usually provided to help overcome this sex problem, but counselling is considered an effective treatment in addition to medical intervention.

Orgasmic disorder

According to Relate, around one in four women will have problems reaching orgasm at some stage during their life, while 25-35% may have never experienced an orgasm. Although many do not need to have an orgasm to enjoy sex, being unable to orgasm may be troubling for some people and their partners. 

Reasons that women can't orgasm from any form of sexual stimulation will vary, from medical causes to deep-rooted psychological issues that may be impacting their ability to 'let go'. Typical medical causes of orgasmic disorder include neurological, vascular or hormonal problems, while some medications may also have an effect. Alternatively, some people may just have a very strong fear of sex and feeling aroused (often out of fear of losing control) while others may be dissatisfied in their relationship and with the sexual stimulation, their partner is/isn't providing. Mental health issues such as depression or previous traumatic experiences can also contribute to orgasmic disorder.

Loss of desire or differing sex drives

It is common to experience a lack of sex drive at certain periods in our life - particularly during pregnancy and times of stress - but some people may have it more persistently. Again, there are several psychological and physical factors that can cause this, including diabetes, relationship problems, hormone disorders, depression, excessive tiredness, traumatic sexual experiences and drug and alcohol addiction. Lack of sex drive in women is also linked to a reduction in their natural testosterone levels.

While many find a way to compromise, for some, a sudden increase or decrease in sex drive can lead to communication difficulties or feelings of rejection. In this instance, improving communication through relationship counselling can be beneficial.

In rare cases, people may have what is called 'sexual anorexia' - a condition that is not in itself a diagnosis but refers to a complete lack of desire for sex. Those with sexual anorexia will avoid sex and may go for years without engaging in sexual intimacy with their partners. Sexual anorexia is predominantly psychologically linked, and counselling is considered essential for helping sufferers to perceive sex and sexual intimacy as something natural and healthy rather than bad and shameful.

Ejaculation problems 

Ejaculation problems are very common and people will typically experience one of three types of disorder:

  • Premature ejaculation: when you ejaculate too quickly during sexual intercourse. The average time of ejaculation is considered five minutes so regularly ejaculating before or within one minute of penetration is regarded as premature.
  • Retarded/delayed ejaculation: a delay in achieving ejaculation, or where someone is completely unable to ejaculate during sexual activity. Also known as male orgasmic disorder.
  • Retrograde ejaculation: the least common of the three, this condition is where the sperm travels backwards and enters the bladder instead of passing through the urethra and head of the penis. Orgasm is still experienced but there will be no, or little semen. 

As with other sexual dysfunction, the above are linked to psychological and/or physical factors. These include stress and previous sexual trauma as well as medical conditions such as diabetes. 

Listen to our podcast, I am. I have. with Ben Bidwell AKA The Naked Professor.

Erectile dysfunction

Also known as impotence, erectile dysfunction refers to the inability to get and maintain an erection that is satisfactory for sexual intercourse. This is quite common and is linked to hormonal problems and the narrowing of blood vessels inside of the penis due to high blood pressure. Stress, anxiety and mental health issues are further causes of erectile dysfunction, along with sexual boredom and constant worrying about pleasing a partner. Unfortunately, for many, even when the initial cause of an erection problem has passed, the anxiety of repeated failure may block future erections.


When should I seek help for sex problems?

Talking about sex problems is understandably difficult and embarrassing for many, and as a result, some people may refrain from seeking help. Suffering in silence however can make the problem worse, and it could lead to a lot of stress and unhappiness in your life and for those around you - particularly your partner.

Although sex problems can stem from deeper issues within a relationship, sexual dysfunction can also cause relationships to suffer. Sex and sexual intimacy are an important part of bonding between two people in a relationship and without it, a couple can become disconnected. When this happens it is a good indication that you need to start thinking about getting help.

Some of the signs that sex problems are affecting your relationship include: 

  • Sex causes disappointment.
  • Sex is the cause of rows.
  • One or both partners are feeling dissatisfied or stuck in a rut.
  • Couples start drifting apart and losing touch.
  • One or both partners feels taken for granted or neglected.
Therapists who can help with sex problems

What treatment is available for sex problems?

The first step in seeking help for sex problems is to make an appointment with your GP to have your condition diagnosed and appropriate treatment methods explored. To establish the cause of sexual dysfunction, your doctor will ask questions about your sexual, social and medical history. Medical tests will also be carried out to identify any physical causes, for which medication can be provided.

Sex therapy (also known as psychosexual therapy) is often the next course of action for individuals and couples experiencing sex problems, and although it may seem daunting to open up about intimate and somewhat embarrassing details, talking to a counsellor can help.

Psychosexual therapy 

There are many professionals in the UK specially trained to talk about sex and help people to explore and overcome sexual dysfunction. Psychosexual therapists, in particular, are very knowledgeable about a wide range of sex problems and have proven successful in helping individuals and couples of all ages, health and sexuality to realise their sexual needs and desires and work through any negative thoughts that may be affecting their ability to enjoy sex and sexual intimacy. 

Psychosexual therapy may involve exploring family myths and cultural taboos that have impacted the way someone associates with sex and sexual intimacy. Questions that may be asked include: "If sex was once enjoyable, what happened to change that?" and "What feels good and what feels disappointing?". These encourage the re-examination of deep-set sexual assumptions and beliefs, and in a good therapeutic relationship between client and therapist, there will be the opportunity to find answers and develop a healthier relationship with sex and sexual intimacy. 

Relationship counselling

Relationship counselling (or couples therapy) is effective for helping couples to explore their physical communication and their understanding of what sex means to them.

Sex may have become mechanical and a way to maintain a safe distance for one person. In such cases, the partner may mourn the lack of intimacy and trust which would allow them to feel safe and enjoy sex. Withdrawal of sex can happen when a person has no alternative way to express their anger and disappointment – so the forbidden feelings are acted out in the bedroom.

These are just some of the issues that may be addressed in relationship counselling to help couples become more aware of each other's needs and desires and thus be able to reach a solution that works best for both of them.


What should I be looking for in a therapist?

Currently, there are no official rules or regulations stipulating what level of training a counsellor dealing with sexual issues needs. There are however several accredited courses, qualifications and workshops available to counsellors to improve their knowledge of a particular area, so for peace of mind, you may wish to check to see if they have had further training in psychosexual issues. 

If you’ve never worked with a counsellor before, here are five questions you should ask yourself when searching for a counsellor. If you’re unsure if the therapist you have found is the right person for you, know that it’s OK to 'play the field' and try working with another therapist to help find one that fits.


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