Neediness or paranoia in relationships Low self-esteem Discomfort if certain areas of your body are touched Difficulty getting sexually aroused or low libido Feeling unsafe in intimate situations Inability to connect emotionally Intense feelings of guilt and shame

Fear of abandonment can also develop after you experience a difficult relationship as an adult, but this is less common.

Unfortunately, the medications used to treat these disorders can cause secondary sexual problems like low libido, erectile dysfunction, and painful intercourse.

Social isolation Serial dating Sabotaging relationships early on Health-risk behaviors like eating disorders and substance use[12] X Research source

If you’re interested in seeing a qualified sex therapist, they can share ideas on how to introduce healthy sexuality into your life. [14] X Research source If you’re married or in a committed relationship, a couple’s counselor can help you work through physical intimacy issues together.

Explore and work through your memories in a private journal Tell a trusted friend or loved one about what happened Work with a counselor or therapist

Instead of “Sex is power over someone” think “Sex is empowering. ” Replace “Sex is hurtful” with “Sex is nurturing and healing. ” Change “Sex is secretive” to “Sex is private. ” Replace “Sex is deceitful” with “Sex is honest and respectful. ” Change “Sex is unsafe” to “Sex is safe. ” Instead of “Sex is abuse” go with “Sex is positive sexual energy. ”

Try relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga Avoid media triggers (graphic news stories, sexually explicit TV shows/movies) Eat right, exercise, and get 7-9 hours of sleep every night Avoid the temptation to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs[18] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source

Sometimes, it might feel like you aren’t making much progress on your healing journey. Please don’t get discouraged! As long as you’re facing your fears head on and doing your best to deal with them in a healthy way, you’re making progress.

For example, you might say, “I don’t feel comfortable being touched there because of what happened to me when I was a child. Let’s agree to stay away from that area for now, but we can slowly work toward that once I start feeling more comfortable. "