Have you ever felt butterflies in your stomach or nothing at all during sex?

• Some sexual problems are caused by dissociation.

• This can take the form of depersonalization (feeling disconnected from one's body) or derealization (feeling a disconnect from reality).

• Mindfulness and meditation practices and regularly checking in with a partner can help reduce dissociation.

Many people come to therapy looking to resolve sexual problems they are having. Sometimes, this takes the form of “sexual dissociation.” They may say things like:

• “I cannot seem to stop my mind from wandering during sex with my partner.”

• “I do not feel connected to my body during sex.”

• “I am unable to feel any bodily sensations during sex.”

• “I struggle to have an emotional connection with my partner.”

We usually experience heightened sensations during sex, but sometimes this pleasure plummets, and we find ourselves caught in out-of-body sensations.
Dissociation can affect your mental health as well as your sex life and sexual functioning. Thus, understanding the concept and taking steps to manage it is beneficial for you and your partner.

2 Ways to Manage Dissociation During Sex