ADHD Linked to Distressing Sexual Difficulties, New Study Finds
Friday, April 4, 2025.
A recent study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior has found a significant connection between ADHD symptoms and distressing sexual problems in adults.
Folks who screened positive for likely ADHD were over twice as likely to report painful and persistent struggles with sexual function and satisfaction compared to adults without ADHD symptoms.
The results suggest that the same emotional regulation and attention difficulties that disrupt daily life in ADHD may also interfere with the ability to feel connected, satisfied, and at ease in intimate relationships.
Adults with ADHD Report More Sexual Problems and Emotional Distress
The study surveyed 943 Canadian adults, assessing ADHD symptoms, sexual function, and levels of sexual distressusing validated clinical tools. Of the total sample, 106 participants met the threshold for a likely ADHD diagnosis, based on the World Health Organization’s Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale.
What researchers found was striking: participants with more severe ADHD symptoms were significantly more likely to report trouble reaching orgasm, reduced satisfaction with orgasm when it did occur, and higher rates of sexual dissatisfaction and emotional distress around their sex lives.
Notably, sexual desire and arousal levels were not significantly different between those with and without ADHD.
The problems emerged later in the sexual response cycle—during orgasm and post-orgasmic satisfaction—suggesting that attention-related symptoms may interrupt the deeper, more sustained phases of sexual experience.
Why ADHD Might Impact Sexual Functioning
ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is more than distractibility.
It includes impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and difficulty staying present—traits that can deeply affect emotional intimacy and sexual connection.
While previous studies had hinted at links between ADHD and sexual dysfunction, most relied on small samples and overlooked a crucial factor: sexual distress. This new research fills that gap by focusing not just on function, but on how much distress and dissatisfaction these issues cause.
For many adults with ADHD, the experience of being unable to stay focused or emotionally grounded during sex may trigger spirals of shame, anxiety, or frustration—feelings that can make the sexual experience feel hollow or even painful.
ADHD, Orgasm Problems, and Emotional Dysregulation
The most consistent problems reported by adults with ADHD were:
Difficulty reaching orgasm
Low satisfaction with orgasm
High sexual distress and emotional discomfort
These challenges were more prominent among younger adults, perhaps because ADHD symptoms tend to decrease in intensity with age. Additionally, men with ADHD reported stronger associations between ADHD symptoms and sexual distress, possibly due to social pressure around male sexual performance.
One of the key mechanisms behind these problems may be emotion regulation difficulties, a common hallmark of ADHD. When a sexual encounter doesn’t go smoothly, adults with ADHD may struggle to self-soothe or stay emotionally engaged. This can lead to more profound and lingering emotional pain around sex—making even minor problems feel overwhelming.
Clinical Implications: ADHD and Distressing Sexual Dysfunction
Importantly, the study found that individuals with likely ADHD were more than twice as likely to meet clinical criteria for distressing sexual dysfunction. This isn’t just about minor bedroom mishaps—it’s about significant, sustained emotional and sexual distress that can impact quality of life, relationships, and self-esteem.
Researchers concluded that attention difficulties and emotional dysregulation—core traits of ADHD—appear to underlie many of these sexual concerns. The study encourages clinicians to assess for sexual health issues in adults with ADHD, an area often neglected in both diagnosis and treatment.
Limitations and Future Research
As with all research, there are caveats.
The study relied on self-report data and did not include formal ADHD diagnoses or clinical interviews. It’s also possible that co-occurring mental health conditions, like anxiety or depression, may contribute to some of the findings.
Nonetheless, the large sample size, validated tools, and focus on sexual distress make this one of the most robust studies to date on ADHD and sexual functioning.
Why Sexual Health Matters for Adults with ADHD
This research offers a sobering but essential reminder: ADHD is not just about focus and forgetfulness.
It can also shape the most vulnerable parts of a person’s inner world—including their capacity for sexual intimacy, emotional attunement, and bodily satisfaction.
By shedding light on the hidden emotional cost of sexual dysfunction in ADHD, this study helps move the conversation beyond surface-level symptoms and into the heart of human experience—where relationships are built, broken, and sometimes rebuilt.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Goldberg, S. Y., Thulin, M. C., Kim, H. S., & Dawson, S. J. (2024). Distressing Problems with Sexual Function and Symptoms of Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior.