Psychiatrists can consider how a person’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being affects their sexual well-being.
Challenges with sexual function often have multiple factors. While a psychiatric provider may not directly treat your particular concern, this can be a good place to start sorting through what is happening for you.
Psychiatrists may write referrals, collaborate with other providers, and provide a supportive environment to discuss sensitive topics like sex.
Sexual health is a complex topic with many layers. It involves mental, emotional, physical, and relational elements. If you’re struggling in this area, you might be unsure who to turn to for help. Psychiatrists can support you with sex-related issues.
Psychiatrists are medical providers. Some may specialize in psychosexual dysfunction. In other words, they treat sexual problems by uncovering and addressing underlying mental health concerns. Learning more about how psychiatrists resolve sex-related issues can help you determine if this is the right approach for you.
Sex-related issues a psychiatrist can help with
Many things can affect a person’s sexual well-being. Sometimes, sexual dysfunction can be a sign of a mental health concern. Psychiatrists help people improve their sexual health by treating these underlying conditions. They may do this by prescribing medication or by recommending behavioral changes.
Some psychiatric medications carry a risk of sexual side effects, and your psychiatric provider can also help to address these. They can also provide referrals to other relevant supports (i.e. sex therapists). Finally, they can coordinate with their patients’ other healthcare providers when the underlying issue causing their difficulty doesn’t seem to be psychiatric.
Some sex-related issues you may want to consider seeing a psychiatrist for include:
Loss of libido (or interest in sex)
Arousal difficulty
Problems with orgasm
Pain during sex
Difficulty controlling sexual thoughts, urges, and behaviors
Crying after sex
Explore these examples of how these challenges may show up in real life. Remember, they’re far from an exhaustive list. If you don’t resonate with any of them, that’s OK. There are many other valid sex-related concerns a psychiatrist can help with.
“I’ve been taking a new medication to manage my depression. But since starting it, I haven’t felt completely like myself. For the first time in my adult life, I don’t feel any interest in sex.”
“Sometimes my mood shifts rapidly. One minute, I’m utterly depressed and unmotivated. The next, I feel like I’m on top of the world. My thoughts are racing, and I’m bursting with energy. When I’m feeling euphoric, sometimes I engage in sexual behavior that I regret later.”
“I have a great relationship with my partner, and we’ve always had plenty of sexual chemistry. But lately, I just can’t seem to get comfortable during sex. I worry that I might finish too quickly or not at all. I’m not sure what’s going on with me. It’s really starting to affect my self-esteem.”
“Some people struggle with substances. For me, it’s always been sex. When I’m stressed or anxious, I use it as a way to experience relief. This has gotten me into some unsafe situations, but I still can’t seem to get things under control. I’m worried about what’s going to happen to me if I can’t stop this cycle.”
“As a survivor of sexual abuse, I have a complicated history with sex. I experience flashbacks of the abuse, even though it happened a long time ago. I start to panic whenever something reminds me of what happened, and the anxiety never really goes away. It has kept me from exploring my sexuality and developing healthy sexual connections with others.”
“I have these awful sexual thoughts sometimes. They don’t represent anything that I’d actually want to happen, and they really scare me. I don’t know where they come from, and they’re so vivid. When I have one of those thoughts, I can’t stop checking to see if they’re true. I get so upset, wondering if they represent the ‘real’ me.”
“I have a pretty complex medical history. Living with diabetes, chronic pain, and depression has taken a real toll on my sex drive. I see a lot of different providers to manage my health, and it can feel like a juggling act.”
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What to expect when you see a psychiatry provider about sexual issues
During your first session, or whenever you decide to discuss your sexual concerns with your current psychiatric provider, your provider will review your physical, mental, and sexual health history. They’ll want to know when you started experiencing sexual struggles, how you’ve tried to manage them, and what seems to make them better or worse. Being open and honest can help your provider provide the best possible care. It can also help them determine if other healthcare providers may need to be involved in your diagnosis and treatment.
Once your psychiatrist understands the full picture of your health, they’ll talk through their assessment. While they may also offer other supports, medication management is the mainstay of psychiatric care.
They may recommend medication to treat an underlying mental health concern. Your psychiatric provider might also determine that your sexual symptoms are side effects of medication you’re already taking for mental health or other health problems. In this case, they may treat that side effect either by changing your psychiatric medication or by prescribing a medication to address this side effect.
Psychiatric providers do not diagnose or treat problems with sexual function primarily caused by an underlying physical health problem. But they can help you figure out the underlying cause and connect you with the appropriate provider. Keep in mind that psychiatry, like all forms of mental healthcare, can take some time. You may not see results immediately, so try to be patient with the process.
In addition to prescribing medication, your provider may make behavioral recommendations or refer you to other types of healthcare providers. For example, they might refer you to a primary care provider, urologist, gynecologist, couples therapist or a support group. Staying engaged with all aspects of your treatment plan and being open to multiple approaches can promote the best possible outcomes.
Preparing to talk to a psychiatrist about sex
Sex can be a hard topic to discuss — especially if you’re experiencing dysfunction. But psychiatrists who specialize in sex-related issues know how to guide these conversations with care. As you discuss your concerns, you can expect them to listen without judgment.
If you decide you’d like to work with a psychiatrist to get support with your sexual health, take these steps to prepare:
Verify your insurance coverage to find an in-network provider. You can usually do this by calling the number on the back of your insurance card or using your member portal.
Look for board-certified psychiatrists who have additional training in human sexuality or sexual health.
Take some notes on what you’d like to discuss — including specific details about your symptoms and their timeline — so you don’t forget anything.
Make your first appointment. Some psychiatrists may offer complementary consultations in which you can ask questions and determine if you’d like to continue working with them.
In my experience, people can be reluctant to discuss sex-related problems. But once we’re able to explore what’s happening, most people express relief. Even better, we can get them the right support.
Stephanie J Reed, MSW, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Clinical reviewer
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Whether you’re struggling with libido, arousal, or other challenges, a psychiatrist can help. Some psychiatric providers have deep expertise in how mental health and sexual health go together. Psychiatrists can treat some forms of sexual dysfunction with medication. They can also provide referrals to other supports and collaborate with your care team. While sex can be a little uncomfortable to discuss at first, psychiatrists can provide a safe, affirming space to discuss your concerns.
At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best.
Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we're here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.
Liz Talago
Liz Talago, M.ed. is a mental health professional turned content writer and strategist based in the Detroit metro area. As an independent consultant for mental health organizations, Liz creates meaningful connections between brands and their audiences through strategic storytelling. Liz is known for championing diverse perspectives within the mental health industry and translating bold ideas into inspiring, affirming digital experiences.
In her free time, you can find her hiking with her two German Shepherds, puttering around her dahlia garden, or spending time with her family.
Stephanie J Reed, MSW, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Stephanie started her career in mental health as a clinical social worker in 1997. She’s been practicing as a psychiatric nurse practitioner since 2020. She’s worked in many settings, including in labor and delivery as an RN, in child protection, in community mental health, and in an urban clinic affiliated with the Indian Health Service.
Her passion for mental health comes from a desire to provide the kind of care and education for people that she wishes had been available to her family. Good mental healthcare can be transformative for people and families, and it’s work that she’s very proud to be part of.
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