People suffering from anxiety tend to have less sex and experience it less well.
- Anxiety is a common disorder in France, especially among women.
- One study found an association between high levels of anxiety and an unsatisfying sex life.
- “Interventions aimed at reducing sensitivity to anxiety could have significant implications for improving sex life,” the researchers say at the end of their report.
According to a new investigationvery anxious people have a less fulfilling sex life than the average.
The study was based on a sample of 170 men and 305 women aged 19 to 60. From their computer, participants responded to a survey measuring their sensitivity to anxiety and their sexual fulfillment. This last notion included several items: sexual function (erection, ejaculation, etc.), pain, satisfaction, self-esteem, distress and comfort.
Researchers found that high sensitivity to anxiety was linked to a less satisfying sex life.
Sex life and anxiety: correlations at all ages
“This study demonstrates that the associations between anxiety sensitivity and sexual well-being extend to men and seniors, therefore not just to young women,” explain the researchers.
People high in anxiety sensitivity were more likely to report having little sex or avoiding sex that might trigger feelings of arousal.
Researchers observed gender differences. While both men and women with high anxiety sensitivity reported more pain and distress, the effect on sexual satisfaction was only significantly pronounced among women. This suggests that anxiety sensitivity may interfere with sexual satisfaction in gender-specific ways, perhaps under the influence of different psychological or social dynamics.
Sex life: 15 to 20% of the French population suffers from anxiety
Despite interesting results, the cross-sectional design of the study does not allow conclusions to be drawn about causality, namely whether anxiety sensitivity causes lower sexual well-being or vice versa. Additionally, relying on self-reported data can lead to bias.
“Interventions aimed at reducing anxiety sensitivity could have significant implications for improving sex life,” still estimate the researchers at the end of their report.
Anxiety disorders are twice as common in women as in men. They touch approximately 15 to 20% of the French population.
