Sometimes both men and women can have problems that affect their sex life. These include:
• lack of interest in sex
• loss of desire
• pain or difficulty in experiencing penetrative sex
• difficulty in reaching orgasm
• being unable to get or keep an erection
• premature ejaculation (coming too soon)
Why do sexual problems occur?
Sexual problems can have physical or psychological causes, often both.
Physical reasons include:
• illness
• infection
• skin conditions
• side effects from medications.
Psychological causes can be linked to:
• stress
• relationship difficulties
• uncertainties about your sexuality
• previous sexual experiences.
Please note, many sexual problems are temporary.
How can I get help and advice?
The first step is to talk to someone about your problem. You can walk into the Ambrose King Centre or Barts Sexual Health Centre and we will listen sympathetically to your concerns.
You will then be referred to a specialist clinic where we will consider whether there are any underlying physical causes of your problem. We can then offer you psychosexual counselling and/or management of the physical problem. This is free of charge.
If you require medication for erectile dysfunction, there are circumstances in which you may have to pay for your prescription as there are special rules about the prescribing of this medication. Your doctor will explain this to you.
Your general practitioner may also be able to refer you to a counsellor on the NHS.
The following organisations have useful information and can help you access relationship and psychosexual counselling. They will charge a fee – you can phone them to find out the cost.
Relate
Tel: 0300 100 1234 or visit www.relate.org.uk
British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy
Tel: 020 8543 2707 or visit www.basrt.org.uk
Sexual Advice Association
Tel: 020 7486 7262 or visit www.sda.uk.net.
Find out more information from NHS Choices on:
• female sexual dysfunction
• premature ejaculation
• erectile dysfunction
Interested in another service?
- Contraception (including emergency contraception)
- Testing for and treating sexually transmitted infections
- HIV testing
- HIV counselling
- Care after a sexual assault
- Vaccinations for hepatitis A and B
- Post exposure prophylaxis (PEPSE)
- Care for people working in the sex industry (Open Doors)
- Services for young people
- Services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people
