In the consultation, patients report difficulties in desire, either for lack or excess. The “sexual anorexia” may be considered as lack of libido or “sexual appetite”, accompanied by an excessive concern for not having sex and body image disturbances.

The disorder is not defined or contained in or serologic psychiatric classifications with the name of sexual anorexia, therefore, the reported prevalence is generally for desire disorders, specifically an aversion to sex subtype, affects approximately 4 of 10 women and 3 out of 10 men, according to a report of the American Medical Society.

The consultation notes that there are patients who have no desire or fantasies, but also show a strong aversion to sexual contact product of a deep fear. Fear acts as an inhibitor of conduct, making the person being apprehensive, with feelings of inferiority, awkwardness body without amatory resources, with the “fixed idea” of being ridiculed for any sexual partner. Finally, fear paralyzes, leading to reject new lovemaking.

The component that distinguishes sexual anorexia is not fear but the conviction (ideas, thoughts) that sex is not a pleasant experience, by contrast, is experienced as traumatic and repulsive. The body loses sensitivity by rejecting everything that might disturb erotic stimulation. The ideas or thoughts become worries that occupy the head, preventing any interference of fantasies or stimuli invigorating.

The disorder may be lifelong or acquired, the first since the onset of sexual activity in the second case after a period of normal sexual activity. Interpersonal conflicts are common (marital dissatisfaction). The factors discussed as causes of unrest are: shame, guilt, live sex as sinful, ignorance of one’s body, aggressive sexual partner, etc..

People with sexual anorexia are used to using strategies to avoid encounters, as an earlier bedtime, neglect of appearance, turn over in excess of family activities, friendships, or caring for children or grandchildren. In some cases involving abuse of psychotropic drugs, alcohol or other substances. Sexual Anorexia may be associated with other pathologies such as depression, hypothyroidism, obsessive, or PTSD, particularly as a result of abuse or rape, or other breast surgeries body region, alcohol abuse, etc..

In general, people affected by this pathology have personality traits similar to anorexia: persistent thoughts, obsessive preoccupations, rigid behavior, poverty in emotional expression, a tendency to self-imposed, body closed to pleasant experiences, background of over-familiar, and so on.

What to do?

1) First, it is essential to a proper diagnosis to rule out associated diseases (depression, obsessive disorders, substance abuse, etc.)..

2) Avoid intrusive thoughts away fantasies.

3) Use relaxation and breathing techniques to control anxiety.

4) Make contact with your body, touch, massage, baths, etc.., In order to regain the pleasurable sensations.

5) Communicate what happens to your partner.

6) Instead of avoiding the meeting, addressing the sexual experience, first without genital contact, then including it.

7) Learn techniques to help modify body image: yoga, bioenergetics, body counseling, experiential psychotherapy, and so on.