Using Sex as a Coping Mechanism

I totally understand, I have no interest due to SA. My husband and I are as open as possible when it comes to this. He understands what I went through and is never pushy about sex. Talk to your partner and be as open as you can about it!! It is very normal and hard to reconnect love to sex after each incident.

Depending on the SA situations you've been in before, it definitely makes sense that sex is used as a coping mechanism. Sometimes our bodies can't process the physical experience without constant exposure, and sometimes it's a more cognitive issue (read: what we think and feel about ourselves in relation to the trauma). I know for me, I'm on the hyposexual end of the spectrum; I struggle believing that my partner wants to be intimate with me because they love me, not because they think they own me. Some therapists specialize in treating cognitive and behavioral distortions around sex, but I've also found that some "mindful masturbation" techniques help, too.

I know exactly how you feel I used sex as a coping mechanism and still do sometimes it’s a way to make yourself feel wanted and something my husband taught me is that it’s not always sex that you want sometimes you just want intimacy which can be cuddling or a hug or a forehead kiss. It’s hard to separate from “i need to feel loved so let’s have sex” it’s important to find another outlet to help yourself feel loved whether that’s with your partner or with yourself

My boyfriend is the same way. I don't really have advice but I would say that it's normal to feel that way. It is normal to feel that concern. Have you tried talking to your partner about it?