Sexual Problems Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SPSAQ)

In general, I am satisfied with my sex life.

In general, I am satisfied with the emotional intimacy in my life.

I feel uninformed about sexuality due to inadequate sex education.

I think my vocabulary is adequate to describe subjective or physical sexual experience.

I have adequate information about human sexual biology and women’s changes with age.

I have adequate information about human sexual biology and men’s changes with age.

I think I lack information about how gender roles influence men’s and women’s sexuality.

I have adequate access to information and services for birth control.

I have adequate access to information and services for prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

I have adequate access to information and services for rape or sexual trauma.

I have adequate access to information and services for domestic violence.

I avoid having sex or experience distress during sex because I feel I don’t live up to the ideals of my culture regarding sexuality or desirability.

I feel anxiety or shame about my body, sexual attractiveness, or sexual responses.

I feel confusion or shame about my sexual orientation or identity.

I feel confusion or shame about my sexual fantasies, desires, and preferences.

I feel that there are conflicts between my sexual values and those of my partner.

I feel that there are conflicts between my sexual values and those of my peer group.

I feel that there are conflicts between my sexual values and those of the mainstream culture.

I feel a lack of interest, fatigue, or lack of time for sex due to family, work, or other obligations.

I feel inhibited about communicating preferences or initiating, pacing, or shaping sexual activities.

I currently experience sexual inhibition, avoidance, or distress because of betrayal by or dislike of my partner.

I currently experience sexual inhibition, avoidance, or distress because I fear my partner.

I currently experience sexual inhibition, avoidance, or distress because of abuse by my partner.

I currently experience inhibition, avoidance, or distress arising from unequal power between myself and my partner.

I currently experience sexual inhibition, avoidance, or distress because of my partner’s negative communication patterns.

I have experienced sexual inhibition, avoidance, or distress arising from betrayal, dislike, fear, or abuse in a previous relationship.

There are discrepancies between myself and my partner in frequency of desire for sexual activity.

There are discrepancies between myself and my partner in preferences for various sexual activities.

I trust my partner to be sensitive to my wants.

I have lost sexual interest as a result of conflicts with my partner over commonplace issues such as money, schedules, or relatives.

I have experienced loss of sexual interest due to traumatic experiences, such as infertility or the death of a child.

My partner’s health and/or sexual problems interfere with my sexual arousal, enjoyment, or spontaneity.

I experience sexual aversion, mistrust, or inhibition of sexual pleasure due to my partner’s personality, such as problems with rejection, cooperation, closeness, or criticalness.

I experience sexual aversion, mistrust, or inhibition of sexual pleasure due to my partner’s depression or anxiety.

I experience inhibition of sexual pleasure or response that I believe is due to a history of physical, sexual, or emotional trauma.

I avoid sexual activity or fail to experience sexual pleasure because of fears of rejection or intimacy.

I avoid sexual activity or fail to experience sexual pleasure because of anger toward my partner.

I experience sexual aversion, mistrust, or inhibition of sexual pleasure due to depression or anxiety.

I experience sexual inhibition due to fear of sexual acts or their possible consequences, for example pain during intercourse, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, etc.

I limit my sexual feelings due to my fear of losing my partner.

I engage in sexual behavior that feels inappropriate and out of control.

I experience pain or lack of physical response during sexual activity due to medical condition(s) affecting my body.

I am satisfied with my ability to control my ejaculation/orgasm.

I experience pain during arousal (erection, lubrication).

I experience pain during orgasm.

I experience pain during intercourse or other sexual contact for undiagnosed reasons.

I take medication/substance(s) (prescribed, herbal, or illegal) to enhance my sexual experience.

I lead a physically healthy lifestyle.

I smoke.

I drink more than 1 alcoholic beverage per day (women) or more than 2 drinks per day (men).

I am exposed to solvents or volatile substances, e.g., exhaust, chemical odors, etc.

I regularly engage in vigorous physical exercise.