I am a 24 year old female, and I have a kind of strange problem. When I am first being intimate with someone and I get aroused, I start feeling nauseous and occasionally actually get sick. At first I can't do any more than kissing before I get aroused and start feeling sick, and as time goes by I am able to do more with my partner (e.g. petting, etc). After my body "gets used" to being with my partner (which often takes weeks), I am able to have normal sex and enjoy it, but the nausea at the beginning is kind of odd. It has happened with all my partners, who have fortunately been understanding. Can you shed any light on what may be going on here?

Without a good history, the place to start might be just considering anxiety or nervousness. Try a glass or two of wine and a warm bath prior for those most memorable and romantic occasions. This way YOU can control the pace. As for always occurring, maybe you conflict the act of giving yourself with some internal timetable that is being skewed, thus causing anxiety. Try making your lovers chase you longer before letting them catch you.
- Answer provided by Stephen Craig Heelan, M.S., R.M.H.C.I Diplomate American Board of Sexology Practicing Forensic Sexology Forensic Court Services, defray7600@mypacks.net, www.genesisforensicgroup.com.

Well, if you are nauseous only with a new partner, then I would think you are having some type of anxiety, and your body is responding in this way. Think of it as a "nervous stomach" or "butterflies" type of reaction. Luckily your partners have been understanding. Take your time. Try taking some deep breaths before making love, or ask for a nice relaxing body massage before hand. - Answer provided by Krista Bloom, Ph.D. Board Certified Clinical Sexologist, Drbloom@healingcouch.com, www.healingcouch.com.

The only thing that comes to mind is that nausea is a very easily conditioned response. You know how people who get certain kinds of chemotherapy get nauseous? Well, after awhile just the thought of chemotherapy will make them ill. Maybe you happened to be nauseous the first time you were intimate, and you have associated feeling sick with being intimate. I'd explore this further with a physician, though, to see if something hormonal might be occurring, and if not, I'd suggest a few sessions with a therapist to try to figure out the puzzle. - Answer provided by Stephanie Buehler, PsyD, Psychologist and Certified Sex Therapist, drbuehler@cox.net, www.thebuehlerinstitute.com.

It sounds like you are experiencing anxiety with a new partner, and this anxiety manifests itself physically. It might be helpful for you to discuss your anxiety with a therapist and discuss treatment options. Anxiety is very responsive to psychotherapy.
- Answer provided by Parvonae Fernandez, M.A., Psy.D., southfloridasexpert@gmail.com, www.myspace.com/southfloridasexpert

To read more Q & A's or to ask a sex therapist a question, click here.