Because of this, people with sexual repression may condition themselves to feel aroused less frequently than individuals who are not repressed. This can lead to physical and emotional problems including poor self-esteem, fatigue, irritability, aggression, and insomnia.
Given the negative side effects of sexual repression, many people decide they want to liberate themselves and feel sexually free. This usually involves analyzing the reasons for one’s sexual repression, which likely stem from attitudes held by parents, the church, and other influential groups. Sexual abuse and poor body image can also lead to sexual repression. Masturbating, consuming erotic art and films, belly dancing, and communicating desires to a sexual partner can all help a person overcome sexual repression.
Sexual repression is a somewhat subjective term. In cultures with more liberal attitudes about sex and sexuality, someone may be considered to be sexually repressed for displaying attitudes that wouldn’t be out of place in a more conservative culture. Deeply religious cultures tend to be more sexually repressed than cultures where religion does not play such a key role. For example, some religions condemn homosexuality and thus cause people to repress homosexual feelings and desires. In some societies, sexual acts deemed undesirable, such as sex before marriage or adultery, may be punished by violent means like honor killings or stoning.