Health Psychology

Pain and sex are connected in ways that can be obvious and not so obvious. Clearly, if a person is in enough pain, sex is probably the last thing on their mind. Sexual health can also be compromised by painful experiences, particularly during moments of intense physical intimacy. Inflicting pain, whether physical or psychological, is sometimes a component of the S&M community, though it is only an integral part of the “session” in the most extreme cases. Even in such cases, the pain is strictly consensual and is regulated just enough to serve the purposes of both parties and not do any actual damage. Chronic pain, whether physical or psychological, can have incredible effects on a person’s sexual health and performance.

Obviously, if a person is experiencing chronic pain, the psychological drive to have sex is greatly reduced. For most people, finding a way to relieve the pain takes priority over most other physical needs, with the mind typically putting “luxuries” like intercourse lower on the list of sensations that the body craves. Performance can also be affected because the pain provides a distraction for the person, rendering them unable to fully focus their attentions on their partners. Pain can also serve to greatly reduce desire over the long-term, particularly if the problem is left untreated or is being improperly handled. Taking pain killers to help fight chronic pain can also have effects, with some pain killers diminishing libido. There have also  been reports of certain pain relief products inhibiting sexual health, though such cases are considered rare. Unfortunately, alleviating the problems caused by physical pain is generally possible only once the pain itself has been dealt with.

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