Do you ever hesitate to initiate sex because you're afraid of being rejected — or feel guilty for turning your partner down?
In this episode, I answer a listener question about how to navigate mismatched libidos and the pain of repeated rejection in a relationship. We unpack the science of sexual rejection, and how it can shape desire, emotional safety, and long-term connection — often in ways couples don’t talk about.
You’ll learn:
→ The most common emotional reactions to sexual rejection — and why some responses shut down intimacy while others build it
→ What the data shows about how rejection impacts desire over time
→ A free list of conversation starters to help you open up this conversation with more clarity and less pressure
The study covered in the episode is: Comparing Responses to Sexual Rejection and Sexual and Relationship Well-Being in Couples Coping with Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder and Community Couples, written by Schwenck et al. and can be found here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2023.2282617#abstract
🎧 Listen in — and if you find yourself nodding along, pass it on to someone who needs to hear this too.
📝 Grab your free exercise connected to this episode here: https://leighnoren.com/podcast-resources
Interested in my services? Check them out here: https://leighnoren.com/all-services
Want to join my 1:1 online program Re:Desire? Here’s the link: https://leighnoren.com/redesire-sex-drive-course-apply
Do you want to submit a listener question for the podcast? Here's the link: https://airtable.com/apploL0ElRa01lJAk/pagT9VXL3OG25BwvA/form