r/sex•
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Sex with an eating disorder/body dysmorphic disorder?

I read the FAQ on insecurity over body size, but I feel like eating disorders and dysmorphia are more than just "normal" insecurity, so I thought I might get more out of making a post about it.

Basically, I have EDNOS (an unspecified eating disorder--think of a "less extreme" version of anorexia because I'm not starving to death, but I restrict how much I'm "allowed" to eat) and it's always affected my relationship. We're working through it pretty well, but I'm still having major troubles with being comfortable sexually, and it's recently gotten worse. I am 5'4" and weighed 100lbs, so I was a bit underweight. Even then, I wanted to lose more weight so I could get down to 90lbs, but my boyfriend didn't want me to do that and got me to agree to stay at 100lbs... but several months ago I ended up gaining weight (still don't really know what caused it--probably the antidepressants I started), and now I'm at a healthier weight of 117lbs... and I hate it. I hate the number, what it did to my body, that my clothes don't fit as well. I'm at a point now where I want to recover from this, though, so maintaining this weight is important. I don't want to relapse because I do want to get better, but at the same time, I feel disgusting. But anyway, sorry, this isn't an eating disorder subreddit, so let me get to the sex part.

So, obviously having an eating disorder and body dysmorphia is going to fuck up your sex life in some way. It used to just be that I was self-conscious about taking the lead, uncomfortable (mentally) in certain positions, that kind of stuff, but I could be naked around my boyfriend and feel okay. Ever since I gained weight, though, it's been harder for me to get comfortable around him. Last time we had sex, I couldn't even take my shirt off. I seriously left my shirt on while we were having sex because I hate my stomach so fucking much. I've also cried during sex from being so self-conscious about the way I look. :( And the weird part is: I know he thinks I'm more attractive at this weight than I was at 100lbs. Hell, his friends said the same thing. That I've "filled out" (don't like that phrase, but I know it's meant to be complimentary) and look healthier now and I guess my tits and ass got bigger too (there's a problem there too because I like really small tits and now mine feel too big).

Anyway, I don't know. I'm sorry. I just really want to know what I can do to feel better at this weight while naked/having sex with my boyfriend. Does anyone have experience with this (either having the eating disorder or having sex with a partner who has one)? I'd like to hear experiences on both sides, techniques I can use to feel better, resources, anything really. Thanks.

I tend to be very wordy, so here's a TL;DR: I have an eating disorder, gained weight and now my weight is considered "healthy", but I feel worse about my body now than ever before and I have no idea how to become at least as comfortable as I used to be while having sex. Is there anything I can do to feel better at this weight?

Posted Dec 2, 2012, 7:46 PM UTC

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