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Sexuality and sexual probelm

Sexual problem in man and woman

Several people are suffering from sexual problems. It is still taboo to talk about one’s sexual problems because of shame, doubt, and lack of awareness. Both men and women experience different sexual problems including, lack of arousal, difficulty achieving orgasm, pain during sexual intercourse, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and many more. There are several reasons behind it and it can be equally disturbing to the people experiencing it. It puts people in a difficult position in managing their relationships. Let us understand various kinds of sexual problems experienced by both men and women during sexual activity. Also, we will be looking at the concepts of sexual perversion and sexual orientation and how counseling can be extremely helpful in dealing with these problems.

TYPES OF SEXUAL PROBLEMS

sexual problems can be divided into the following types: -

1) Issues related to orgasm

2) Issues related to pain during intercourse

3) Issues related to arousal

4) Issues related to desire

SEXUAL PROBLEMS IN MALES: Males experience the following sexual problems

PREMATURE OR DELAYED EJACULATION: premature ejaculation can simply be understood as when body semen gets released before the desired time of sexual activity. Delayed ejaculation on the other hand refers to the inability to achieve ejaculation in a short period during sexual activity.

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION: it can simply be understood as the inability to get and keep an erection during sexual activity.

PERFORMANCE ANXIETY: it refers to the anxiety that males experience before a sexual activity that they won't be able to perform well and satisfy their partner.

SEXUAL PROBLEMS IN FEMALES: Females experience the following sexual problems:

CONTRACTION OF VAGINAL MUSCLES: this is a condition where the muscles of the vagina tighten itself at the time of intercourse.

DIFFICULTY REACHING ORGASM: this can be defined as an inability to achieve sexual climax. It can happen because of hormonal changes or problems, such as the menopause.

PAINFUL INTERCOURSE: Pain in the vagina or further down in the pelvis can occur in women during or after sexual activity. The vagina may become dry during the menopause due to fluctuating hormone levels.

LACK OF VAGINAL LUBRICATION: Vaginal dryness is mostly caused by decreased estrogen levels. The hormone estrogen contributes to the health of vaginal tissue by preserving the natural lubrication, flexibility, and acidity of the tissue.

OTHER PROBLEMS IN RELATIONSHIPS

SEXUAL VIOLENCE: Sexual assault occurs when someone coerces or threatens someone else into engaging in sexual activity against their will. Sexual assault occurs when sexual behaviour is performed without consent. Intimate partnerships, such as marriage or dating, are frequently the setting for sexual abuse.

CAUSES BEHIND SEXUAL PROBLEMS

PHYSICAL CAUSES: Sexual function issues can arise from a variety of medical and/or physical diseases. Diabetes, neurological problems, hormone imbalances, heart and vascular (blood vessel) disease, chronic illnesses such as kidney or liver failure, alcohol and drug use disorders, and neurological abnormalities are among these afflictions. Sexual performance can also be impacted by the adverse effects of certain medications, such as antidepressants.

PSYCHOLOGICAL CAUSES: stress and anxiety at work, worries about one's sexual performance, marriage or relationship issues, sadness, guilt, worries about one's body image, and the effects of a previous sexual trauma.

Now let us move to the unexplored arena of an individual’s sexuality where people struggle not only with finding their sexual identity but also deal with sexual deviancy. Topics like these are still a taboo to talk about and people still think twice before approaching a mental health professional because of fear of stigmatization. Let us first understand what exactly these issues are: -

SEXUAL PERVERSION

Sexual deviancy, or sexual perversion, is a complicated and frequently misunderstood subject. Any sexual behavior that deviates from what is deemed normal or socially acceptable by society is referred to by this term. This might encompass everything from dreams and fetishes related to sexual activity to engaging in sexual behaviors with non-consenting people. Individuals of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations are affected by this broad issue. Sexual perversion is a challenging term that can apply to a wide variety of behaviours including:-

Paedophilia: sexual attraction to minors is known as paedophilia.
Necrophilia: sexual attraction to corpses is a feature of necrophilia.
Sadomasochism: Sadomasochism is the practice of painful, dominating, and submissive sexual encounters.
Voyeurism: seeing someone else have sex without their permission is known as voyeurism.
Exhibitionism: the practice of baring one's genitalia in public is known as exhibitionism.
Incest: it refers to sexual activity with family members.

Complex and complicated psychological factors can play a role in sexual perversion, they are mentioned below: -

Sexual abuse and other forms of early trauma can play a significant role in the development of sexual deviance.
Some persons turn to sexual deviance as a coping mechanism for intense depressive or anxious feelings.
Exposure to sexually explicit content at a young age can lead to a distorted perception of sexual activities.
In some cultures, certain sexual practices are considered illegal or taboo, leading individuals to hide their sexual practices whereas some liberal cultures allow certain sexual practices for exploration of one’s sexuality.

It's crucial to remember that not all sexual deviation is negative or troublesome. A healthy aspect of human sexuality can involve the consensual and safe exploration of sexual impulses. But when sexual behavior turns into something obsessive, non-consensual, or dangerous to oneself or others, it might be a sign of a more serious psychiatric problem that needs to be addressed by a professional.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

It is an innate or unchangeable long-lasting romantic, emotional, or sexual attraction to other people.

Note: A person's gender identification is unrelated to their sexual orientation.

HOMOSEXUAL: Individuals who identify as homosexual are drawn to other members of their sex both romantically and physically: Lesbians are women who are attracted to other women, whereas gay people are men who are attracted to other men. (The term "homosexual" can refer to people who identify as homosexual regardless of their sex.)
HETEROSEXUAL: Individuals who identify as heterosexual are drawn to people of the other sex both romantically and physically: heterosexual men are drawn to women, while heterosexual women are drawn to men. Sometimes, heterosexuals are referred to as "straight."
BISEXUAL: People who are bisexual are romantically and physically attracted to members of both sexes.
ASEXUAL: People who are asexual may not be interested in sex, but they still feel emotionally close to other people.
PANSEXUAL: The sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction to individuals of any gender, irrespective of their gender identity or sex, is known as pansexuality.

Mental health issues faced by individuals with different sexual and gender orientations are as follows: -

It has been proven by research that, homosexual and bisexual individuals experience depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal tendencies.
They are also subject to prejudice, discrimination, and stigma related to their feelings
They also experience feelings of rejection and hopelessness from their environment which can lead to the development of mental disorders like, eating disorders, substance use disorders, panic attacks, depression, and anxiety disorders.
They also are frequently bullied, physically abused, and sexually harassed which impacts their self-esteem and emotional well-being.

ROLE OF COUNSELING IN ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES

Therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in addressing emotional or mental obstacles that may be creating or connected to sexual disorders.
Psychotherapy plays a role in helping people understand the underlying factors behind their behaviors.
A counselor can help you through the process of understanding the underlying issues in a better way and developing effective coping strategies to deal effectively with these problems.
Therapists work in an environment that is safe, inclusive, nonjudgmental, and supportive.
Therapists are equipped with several techniques to help their clients. However, as every individual is different, a mixed-method approach is usually used to cater to the unique needs of the clients.
Maintaining your privacy and confidentiality is of utmost importance to therapists.

AREAS IN WHICH HELP CAN BE PROVIDED

Counseling can be beneficial for the management of sexual problems and in understanding the emotional and mental aspects of sexuality in the following ways: -

1) INCREASED KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SEX AND SEXUALITY: many times, it happens that people lack sex education which then leads to sexual problems in their life. This knowledge can help them better understand their own sexuality and different aspects of it. When people have awareness about their sexuality, they can have clarity of what they are seeking and enhance their sexual life.

2) INCREASED COMMUNICATION: Counseling can play a huge role in enhancing a couple’s communication. It is very important to share what you want with your partner, failing which results in dissatisfaction in your sexual life. Better communication is also needed for individuals who are exploring their sexuality. People often hide these feelings from their loved ones, which can cause a lot of distress to the individual experiencing it.

3) IDENTIFYING ROOTED PROBLEMS: many times, people have some past related traumas, relationship problems, emotional or psychological issues, or some other experiences that create anxiety in them leading to disturbed sexual health and preferences.

4) WORKING WITH SELF-ESTEEM AND ANXIETY ISSUES: Counseling can help people navigate their issues related to anxiety and self-esteem. Mostly it has been seen that people have anxiety related to their performance, the process itself, and have disturbed body image which affects their sex life. People who are engaged in sexual deviant behavior, also have rooted anxiety issues.

5) TEACHING COPING MECHANISMS: Counseling can also help you enhance your coping strategies for problems related to sexual performance, and sexual preferences and can also help people deal with their different sexual orientations and how to deal with social relationships and behavior.

In conclusion, exploring one’s sexual problems is not limited to a few problems, rather it’s an area that is vast. It not only includes problems related to having good sexual experiences but also covers issues like unusual sexual practices and identifying one’s sexuality. Keeping in mind that these problems can influence not only our personal but professional lives, it becomes of utmost importance to resolve these issues by seeking professional help.