How Does Sexual Repression Happen?

Personal, cultural, and social factors can all shape how a person views and experiences their sexuality.

This can make it much harder to accept and explore their own identity.

sexual repression - image of young couple embracing on a sofa

LumiNola / Getty Images

Despite societal messages that may suggest otherwise, being gender diverse or non-heterosexual is completely normal and valid.

This repression can lead to shame, intimacy issues, and relationship challenges.

Fortunately, there are ways to work through sexual repression and embrace your sexuality.

2020;9(6):1716. doi:10.3390/jcm9061716

Efrati Y.God, I can’t stop thinking about sex!

The rebound effect in unsuccessful suppression of sexual thoughts among religious adolescents.J Sex Res.

2020;8(4):723-738. doi:10.1177/2167702620917984

Mile High Psychotherapy.Sexual repression.

Xu W, ed.IJPR.

2021;50(3):1107-1120. doi:10.1007/s10508-020-01776-x

The Rainbow Project.Internalised homophobia.

2017;39(4):184-194. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1601435