Take the show Sex Education , which literally and yet subtly educates us about a different sexual issue someone might be having in each episode. On top of that, from September, same-sex relationships will be compulsorily taught about in UK schools.
Yet, despite these improvements, sex for a lot of people is still shrouded in anxiety and even pain β both of which are rarely discussed. Studies suggest that five to ten per cent of sexually active women are unable to orgasm, while another suggests that 75 per cent cannot reach orgasm without the help of sex toys, hands, or oral sex. London Gynecology clinic explains that one big reason is painful intercourse β a common problem that affects almost three out of four women during their lifetime.
It may be because of illness, or infections like thrush, or STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and herpes, or else skin disorders. Another cause is vulvodynia β which is a pain disorder that affects the vulva, or vaginismus β a reflex contraction tightening of the muscles at the opening of the vagina, or else hormonal changes during the menopause, childbirth, pelvic inflammatory disease, cystitis and painful bladder syndrome, which are all associated with pain during sex.
Trauma or body confidence can similarly create a challenge, with emotions such as fear, guilt, shame or embarrassment potentially making it harder to relax. Isobel, who is 28, from London, explains that struggling to reach orgasm was an issue she never had until she went on anti-anxiety medication at I remember the first few weeks, as I was acclimatising β I would feel like I was rushing on pills, my hands would sweat, but something else I noticed was that my sex drive dropped.
From then on, I found it really difficult to not just to get turned on, but to come. I guess the two go hand in hand. I guess this was only exacerbated by what I was consuming culturally, like movies and porn. I felt quite self conscious in bed always thinking about how I looked or if my partner was pleased.
