Sexuality Issues
Sexual Identity and Sexual Dysfunction: Understanding and Support
Sexual Identity
Sexual identity refers to how we understand ourselves in terms of who we are romantically or sexually attracted to. Sexuality is diverse, complex, and deeply personal. Coming to terms with sexual identity involves exploring feelings of attraction—not simply who you are physically involved with.
For many people, recognising same-sex attraction or attraction to more than one gender can be confusing or frightening, especially in societies where heterosexuality is considered the “norm.” These pressures may lead to feelings of fear, isolation, or alienation, which can create challenges in forming fulfilling relationships and affect overall emotional wellbeing.
It is important to remember that sexual diversity is natural. Understanding your own sexual identity takes time, and seeking support from a counsellor or therapist can provide a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your feelings.
Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction is another common but often difficult issue to talk about. If you are experiencing challenges with sexual performance, you may also feel shame, frustration, or embarrassment. Many people struggle silently, sometimes for years, believing that nothing can help—or feeling too fearful to seek support.
Causes of Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction can have many contributing factors, including:
- Stress and pressures of everyday life
- Emotional or intimacy issues within a relationship
- Low libido or lack of sexual desire
- Psychological factors such as anxiety or depression
- Past trauma or unresolved emotional difficulties
If left unaddressed, sexual dysfunction can impact self-esteem, relationships, and overall happiness. The good news is that with the right support, these issues can often be managed or improved.
When to Seek Help
If you are struggling with sexual identity or sexual dysfunction, speaking with your GP, a trained counsellor, or a therapist can be a vital first step toward clarity and healing. Professional support can help you better understand yourself, work through emotional barriers, and develop healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Please call us on 0333 0096 321, fill in our contact form or email us to find a therapist who can help.
Useful Articles
Here's a list of articles on sexual issues you might find helpful.
Gender Identity Clinic for young people sees referrals double
The number of young people referred to England's only gender identity clinic for under-18s has doubled in the past year to nearly 1,400, figures show.
The Tavistock and Portman: Gender identity development service (GIDS)
For children and young people, and their families, who experience difficulties in the development of their gender identity.
Understanding Gender
For many people, the terms “gender” and “sex” are used interchangeably, and thus incorrectly. This idea has become so common, particularly in western societies, that it is rarely questioned. We are born, assigned a sex, and sent out into the world. For many people, this is cause for little, if any dissonance. Yet biological sex and gender are different; gender is not inherently nor solely connected to one’s physical anatomy.
Gender identity and the big questions that have yet to be answered
Why a person feels male when biologically female, or vice versa, is still unclear. But scientists are working to solve the puzzle
Sex, Sexuality and Sexual Disorders
Sex and human sexuality are a core part of being human, so it's natural to wonder about sex in all of its different forms. Sexual disorders are like people -- they come in all different kinds of shapes and sizes. A sexual disorder doesn't mean something is "wrong" with you. It only means that you're experiencing the kind of issue that can suddenly affect anyone, at any time in their lives, for any reason or no reason whatsoever. While many sexual issues can be traced back to a physical problem or a sudden change in one's life circumstances, many sexual disorders' causes are not well-known or understood.
University of Maryland: Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction -- having a problem with sexual desire or response -- covers a wide variety of problems. In men, sexual dysfunction may refer to erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature or delayed ejaculation. For women, sexual dysfunction may include spasms of the vagina and pain with sexual intercourse. For both sexes, it can include problems with sexual desire (libido) and response.
Erectile Dysfunction and Erection Problems: Causes, Treatments
Since the discovery that the drug sildenafil (Viagra) - originally a heart drug - had an effect on men's penile erections, most people have become aware of erectile dysfunction as a medical condition.
Poems and Quotes to Inspire You
Dare we hope? We dare.
Can we hope? We can.
Should we hope? We must, because to do otherwise is to waste the most precious of gifts given so freely by God to all of us. So when we do die, it will be with hope and it will be easy and our hearts will not be broken.
Andy Ripley – England and Lions rugby legend, often described as one of the most colourful personalities in the history of English rugby
Helpful articles often written by our fabulous practitioners.