Intimacy & Sexual Struggles

A recent study https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(19)32453-7/fulltext found that 50% of the female participants have sexual related personal distress, and 1 in 5 women experienced some sort of sexual dysfunction. (fertstert.org)

Studies and research suggests that up to 10% of men struggle with Sex Addiction.

Sexual Struggles in Our Society

We have become sexually desensitized to sex, love, intimacy and everything that comes with it.  Our society is filled with sexuality: some good, some very unhealthy.  Sex-positive movements are gaining ground, but we still find ourselves surrounded by unhealthy sex in society.

While sex is everywhere, so is the stigma that comes sexual dysfunction.  

SEX is the thing on everyone’s mind (naturally), but SEX is the thing no one wants to talk about when it comes to dysfunction.

Sex & Trauma

Sex is a natural force in nature.  It serves biological, emotional, and physical purposes.  

Unfortunately, when we carry around pain in our lives from unresolved trauma, our sexual behavior is often impacted, including our ability to be intimate (or “connect”) with our partner.  Whether it be sex with self, sex with others, sex exploration, or any other variation of sexual behavior, we can find ourselves unable to enjoy healthy sex.

Unresolved trauma can lead to unhealthy sexual behaviors, such as: 

• Extramarital Affairs
• Non-intimate Sex (such as with sex workers)
• Emotional-Avoidance Sex (such as one-night stands)
• Compulsive Masturbation
• Compulsive Sex (growing or unhealthy cravings for sex)
• Impulsive Sex (sexual behaviors and/or situations that go against our internal moral code and that we normally would not engage in)
• Masturbation or Sex that is Physically Harmful to Ourselves or Others
• Chronic or Serial Sexual Relationships

And many more.

While unhealthy sexual behavior most certainly impacts our relationship with ourselves, it also impacts our relationship with others.  And, because of the stigma attached, sexual dysfunction is often one of the most blanketed mental health struggles that exists.

Sex Addition, Sex Dysfunction, & The Bridge to Recovery

While a diagnosis for Sex Addiction has not yet been included in diagnostic manuals, there is no doubt to those in the mental health industry that sexual dysfunction is very much an issue that impacts an individual’s ability to live a healthy and normal life. 

Certified Sex Addiction Therapists, ongoing research and education around sex dysfunction, and sex-centered programming is evolving as we speak to help provide resources to those in need.
The Bridge to Recovery is proud to offer this type of work.  We employ Certified Sex Addiction Therapists (CSAT) on our staff to combine the trauma work we are known for with the trauma-tree symptoms of love, sex, and intimacy issues.