For patients in gynecologic care
When sex isn’t feeling the way you want it to
Desire, comfort, and closeness can shift with birth, hormones, health, stress, and relationships. Sex therapy can work alongside your gynecologic care.
This is the printed handout, word for word. Print or download it at the end of the page.
Does any of this sound familiar?
- “I just don’t feel much desire anymore, and it bothers me.”
- “Sex hurts, or I brace for it to hurt.”
- “Since having a baby, my body and sex life feel different.”
- “Menopause changed things, and I don’t know where to start.”
- “It’s hard for me to get aroused or to orgasm.”
- “Something from my past gets in the way of feeling close.”
- “Hormones or surgery changed my body. I want sex to feel like mine.”
Desire doesn’t always come first
For many people, desire shows up in response to touch, closeness, or the right setting, rather than out of the blue. Stress, exhaustion, pain, and relationship strain can all quiet it. That’s common, and it’s something you can work on.
How sex therapy can help, alongside your gynecologic care
Understand
See the whole picture
Explore how your body, hormones, mood, stress, and relationships fit together, with your medical care in the loop.
Desire
Work with desire as it is
Learn how your desire works and take the pressure off it. Mindfulness and body-awareness practices can be part of this if they fit you.
Comfort
Ease pain and pressure
If sex hurts, work on the fear–tension cycle at your pace. Nothing is expected that you haven’t agreed to, and penetration isn’t the measure of success.
Connection
Find the words
Practice talking about needs, preferences, and limits. A partner can join some sessions if you’d like, or you can do this work on your own.
What sex therapy is
Sex therapy is talk therapy about sexuality, intimacy, and relationships. There is no touch, no exam, and nothing physical happens in sessions.
Your gynecologic care still matters
Sex therapy doesn’t replace medical care. With your permission, I coordinate with your gynecologic provider. If you think a medication or birth control may be affecting your sex life, talk with your prescriber before making changes.
Getting started
Request a free 15-minute consult at JosephMaronLPC.com or call 215-804-9315.
Telehealth for adults in Pennsylvania. Private pay; superbills provided for out-of-network reimbursement.
I’m Joseph Maron, MS, LPC, a sex therapist. I work with adults on sexuality, relationships, identity, and ADHD.
Joe Maron Therapy · PA License PC017785 · Doctoral student in human sexuality, Widener University · Certificate in Affirmative Therapy for Transgender Communities · ADHD-CCSP · LGBTQ+ affirming care
Print this handout
For your clinician: the matching provider sheet.