Genophobia (Fear of Sex): Causes, Symptoms, & How to Cope

What Is Genophobia?

Genophobia, also known as coitophobia, is a specific phobia, and a type of erotophobia. While it’s common for people to feel nervous around sexual acts, phobias refer to having disproportionate and intense anxiety that interferes with daily functioning. Someone with genophobia may also fear emotional intimacy due to the possibility of sex. If they do engage in sex, there’s a significant amount of worry involved in the act.

Genophobia is different from erotophobia, which refers to a fear of all sexual content, including nudity, sexual fluids, and sexuality itself. Genophobia specifically entails sexual acts. It’s possible for someone to have both phobias simultaneously.

Genophobia Symptoms

Genophobia is more than not liking or being afraid of sex. Unlike general discomfort or fear, phobias refer to chronic, debilitating worry about a specific situation.¹ Symptoms of genophobia can emerge at any time. However, more women likely experience this condition than men, and it often coexists with sexual dysfunctions.

Some typical genophobia reactions and symptoms include:²

• Recognizing the fear of sex is extreme but being unable to minimize it
• Experiencing immediate panic, fear, or anxiety when exposed to sexual encounters
• Avoiding people or situations that may trigger a possibility for sexual activity
• Having difficulty with daily activities due to the phobia
• Experiencing physical reactions due to fear (panic attacks, sweating, rapid heartbeat, trouble breathing)

What Causes a Fear of Sexual Intimacy?

Genophobia includes a fear of intimacy, but the phobia focuses more on the physical nature of sex. It often develops in response to certain mental health conditions or after significant trauma. It may also be connected to body image and self-esteem issues. In addition, some people with genophobia may have this phobia due to various religious or cultural factors.

The following are common causes of genophobia:

Rape

Any history of sexual trauma, including sexual assault, can result in genophobia. Sexual trauma is closely connected to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with research showing that 50% of women who have been sexually assaulted develop PTSD.³ PTSD encompasses symptoms of fear, avoidance, and hypervigilance, all of which also correspond with genophobia.

Cultural & Religious Fears

People from cultures or religions with strong negative connotations about sex may be at a greater risk of developing genophobia. Growing up in a purity culture can result in sexual shame, and it can also result in a marked fear of sex itself. If people do choose to engage in sex, they may have higher rates of anxiety or sexual dysfunction, which can reinforce negative connotations.

Fear of Disease

Fearing contracting diseases like HIV and STDs can lead to genophobia. Similarly, the co-existence of OCD or other phobias like cyberchondria (anxiety from repeated internet searches about medical information), mysophobia (an extreme fear of germs), or health anxiety may cause or exacerbate genophobia symptoms. Fearing disease can make it challenging for people to accurately consider both the risks and benefits of having sex.

Sexual Performance Anxiety

Sexual performance anxiety refers to feeling significantly insecure about a partner’s perceptions during sex. This might correspond with preoccupations about appearance, orgasm fixation, or other relationship stressors. Having this type of anxiety can lead to genophobia, as people may be so consumed with the fear of being judged that they can’t enjoy sex at all.⁴

Medical Concerns

Sexual medical concerns like vaginismus, vulvodynia, erectile dysfunction, or premature ejaculation can all result in genophobia. These medical concerns inherently cause sexual problems, which can aggravate issues with desire and pleasure. The longer the issues persist, the greater the anxiety may feel. Furthermore, when someone is in any physical pain during sex, it’s challenging to even consider enjoying it.

Poor Body Image

Body dysmorphia can play a role in sexual discomfort, which can lead to genophobia. Someone with body dysmorphic disorder feels fixated on parts of their appearance and perceived external flaws. They might avoid intimacy because they worry about how they look or how partners might judge their bodies. Over time, this can lead to heightened anxiety about all sexual activity.

Fear of Getting Pregnant

The fear of getting pregnant can also cause genophobia. The fears about getting pregnant may be related to having an unwanted pregnancy or going through the act of pregnancy and experiencing childbirth itself. This problem may be more amplified in younger adults or in relationships where partners aren’t on the same page about having children.

Genophobia Treatment

Phobias may not be preventable, but certain phobia treatments and coping strategies can help reduce or even eliminate certain symptoms. If you have an underlying sexual disorder, seeking treatment for that may resolve genophobia. The type of treatment and the duration of it will depend on the severity of the condition and individual factors.

The following therapy may be used for genophobia treatment:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a therapy model that focuses on the intersection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Changing negative thoughts about sex can improve how you perceive and respond to sexual activity.
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR can help treat PTSD or anxiety symptoms that may coincide with genophobia. EMDR reduces distressing feelings associated with past traumas.
• Sex therapy: Sex therapy is a certain type of specialized therapy that focuses on treating a variety of sexual issues, including genophobia. Sex therapy often implements affirmative practices, mindfulness, and values clarification.⁵

How to Find Help for Genophobia

Most people find that sex is important to their intimate relationships. Genophobia can feel frustrating, lonely, and even shameful. These emotions can be magnified if partners are not supportive or understanding. Seeking professional support can help you feel better and resolve unwanted symptoms.

A skilled therapist will work with you to recognize the underlying causes of your phobia. They will offer support, compassion, and guidance for addressing these causes and learning new ways to handle stress or triggers. Based on your specific needs, you can look for the right provider either through local referrals, a trusted therapist directory, or online therapy platforms.

In My Experience

Even though you feel alone in their struggles, the reality is that many people struggle with sexual discomfort and anxiety. Trauma, in particular, can affect how you perceive sexual encounters and feel intimately safe with others. It can take some time to feel better, but therapy creates a roadmap for working through your phobia, gaining more confidence, and enjoying sexual activity.