Does body image affect my sexual satisfaction?

Is body image related to satisfaction in sexual life? Will I have greater satisfaction if my body image is positive? If it is negative, can that prevent you from enjoying sex? It is possible that you have asked yourself those questions some time, and although it has not been like that, we also want to invite you to reflect on it.

Sexual satisfaction is defined as subjective satisfaction with any personal (emotional, physical, ...) or relational (communication, compatibility, ...) aspect of sexual life (Tiefer, 2001). Most research suggests that sexual satisfaction is related to a higher frequency of sexual activity, the quality of relationships and the general happiness of men and women (Byers and Demmons, 1999; Kahneman, Krueger, Schkade, Schwarz and Stone). , 2004; Sprecher, 2002).

Being satisfied on a sexual level has important implications in the psychological health of people and, of course, in relationships, which is why it is of interest to know the sociocultural and psychological factors that influence. Specifically, in the case of women, the research carried out in this regard indicates that issues such as body image, quality of life, and different forms of personal relationships can influence the subjective assessment that women make of their own satisfaction sexual. In UNICA, we are especially interested in the relationship that may exist between body image and sexual satisfaction.

A consistent finding is that sexual satisfaction is positively correlated with a positive body image: that is, the more we like our body, the more likely we are to enjoy sex. As we already know, body image is a multidimensional construct that has several components: the perceptual (what I see), the cognitive (what I think of my body), the emotional (what I feel when I look at my body), the behavioral (how I act according to my body) and the sociocultural (the ideals of beauty of the culture to which one belongs). When one of these components fails, problems of dissatisfaction with the body arise, and it has been demonstrated that these concerns with body image can interfere with a woman's ability to enjoy a sexual relationship. Partly,

A recent study by Claudat and Warren (2014), analyzed the relationships between body monitoring, shame and self-awareness towards the body during sexual activities, and sexual satisfaction. The study was conducted with an ethnically diverse sample of 368 female university students between 18 and 24 years old.

The results of the study showed that there is a relationship, not very fortunate, between the weight of women and the awareness of their own body during sexual activity with sexual satisfaction: the heaviest women, those who were more vigilant with their body and those that are more aware of their physical appearance, were those that subjectively showed less sexual satisfaction.

Once again, this type of studies shows the negative consequences that worries about the body image of women, in this case, about sexual satisfaction.

The body self-image is the idea you have of your body . It can be of satisfaction or rejection towards different areas, even in weight or size , explains Marianne Leyton Lemp , psychologist and sexual psychotherapist .

Acceptance, key to quality eroticism

On the sexual plane , people with a bad concept of their body image have high levels of anxiety and stress , says a study by the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas , United States.

Both men and women tend to worry about how their body looks. This action distracts therefore reduces the desire sexual .

By rejecting their appearance they also avoid any intimate encounter . In extreme cases they develop problems in their sexual health .

The men may suffer from erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation . While women come to feel decrease of desire , low sexual arousal and difficulty experiencing an orgasm . This has the consequence of havingsexual intercourse less frequently .

With this debased tend to keep behaviors sex of risk as meetings unprotected or combine the consumption of alcohol , with sex .

Also, women show insecurity of attracting a man, as well as fear of rejection , mainly if they propose the use of condoms . They feel less confidence and little ability to please their sexual partner .

 

For specialist Leyton Lemp , negative self-image restrains self-confidence to start a relationship; prevents assertive communication to express the desires and needs in sexual intimacy .

If you have detected that this type of problems overwhelms you , specialists recommend being generous with yourself. Although it is difficult to silencethe thoughts negative, it is important that you try the same way you do with others with respect . This way you will be able to enjoy a pleasant sexuallife .