Who's Distressed by Sexual Difficulties? Exploring Associations Between Personal, Perceived Partner, and Relational Distress and Sexual Difficulties in Heterosexual Men and Women.

While not all sexual difficulties cause distress, research and clinical experience suggest that, apart from personal distress, partner and relational sexual distress are also often an important reason to seek professional help. The current study explored the associations between personal, perceived partner, and relational distress that men and women experience as a result of sexual difficulties. Data from heterosexual Flemish individuals ages 16 to 74 who were in a relationship (13,800 men and 13,242 women, mean age of 43.69, SD = 14.94) were collected via an online survey. Presence and severity of sexual difficulties and associated personal, perceived partner, and relational sexual distress were assessed. Among men and women with desire difficulties, either the three types of sexual distress were almost equally common or partner distress was most common. Arousal, orgasm, and sexual pain difficulties were most often associated with personal distress, particularly in men. Both men and women, however, most commonly reported that they experienced all three types of distress. These results are discussed in relation to Western gender-specific sexual scripts. Clinical implications and the importance of couples therapy and suggestions for clinically useful diagnostic criteria are presented.