Have you ever heard of post-coital dysphoria? It’s a type of dysphoria that clinical psychologists categorize as a female functional disorder. It’s when someone experiences negative emotions like crying, melancholy, anxiety, agitation, or aggression after sex. While it’s more commonly reported in women, there have been rare cases of men experiencing it too.
Dr. Rullo explains that post-coital dysphoria is caused by both physiological responses and emotional ones. Physiologically, it’s the “come down” from all the neurotransmitters released during intimacy. Emotionally, it can stem from a decreased sense of excitement and closeness after sex.
Another interesting disorder to note is Sexual Aversion Disorder (SAD). It used to be categorized as a sexual desire disorder in the DSM but was eventually removed due to lack of evidence and rare diagnoses. Psychiatrists believed SAD overlapped with other disorders like vaginismus and sexual desire disorder. However, Dr. Goerlich suggests that labeling it as a disorder can be stigmatizing, as it pathologizes differences in libido and asexuality.
While SAD may not be a clinical diagnosis anymore, avoidance around sex is a real issue that can be linked to trauma or negative associations with sex. Dr. Rullo mentions that some patients with intense aversions around sex may benefit from exposure therapy like sensate focus, which involves sensual and sexual exercises with a partner.
It’s normal to feel anxious about sex sometimes. Society’s messaging about sex, sexuality, and relationships can contribute to this anxiety. Tanner emphasizes that sexual anxiety is not necessarily pathological, but rather a reflection of our thoughts and feelings about sex. By addressing these underlying beliefs, we can improve our sexual experiences.
