Why do women with panic disorders not panic during sex (or do they)? Results of an empirical study on the relationship of sexual arousal and panic attacks

Abstract

Reported sensations during sexual arousal and panic attacks were compared in women with panic disorder and in controls. Hypotheses: patients with panic disorders report: (1) similar sensations during sexual arousal and panic attacks, but (2) these sensations do not trigger panic during sexual activity, because (3) there is no sense of loss of control in sexual arousal. Thirty women with panic syndrome and 27 age-matched controls were included in this study. The two groups were compared using a self-developed questionnaire. The results do show a significant overlap of reported sensations (80% of sexual sensations identical with panic sensations), but with a different subjective perception for many women. Unexpectedly, most reported sensations during sex (masturbation and partner activity) were experienced as unpleasant. Contrary to our hypothesis, 30% of our sample did panic during sexual activity, 50% experienced a loss of control and 70% of the sample did not panic during sex, in spite of overlapping sensations. These results provide incentives for further studies on this topic.

Keywords:

• female sexual arousal disorder
• female sexuality
• panic attacks