Unintentional sexual arousal

[Marie76]

I am not trying to be inappropriate, but I need guidance. I am pre menopausal and my hormones cause physical arousal sometimes without any intentional mental or physical stimulation. Aside from distracting myself, which doesn’talways work, how do I resist self gratification? Also, on occasion when I fail, how do I say it in confession without feeling like I’m talking dirty to a priest? I’ve struggled with whether I should ask advice or just keep trying on my own and in prayer. It’s hard to resist.

 

[Sbee0]

I am not trying to be inappropriate, but I need guidance. I am pre menopausal and my hormones cause physical arousal sometimes without any intentional mental or physical stimulation. Aside from distracting myself, which doesn’talways work, how do I resist self gratification? Also, on occasion when I fail, how do I say it in confession without feeling like I’m talking dirty to a priest? I’ve struggled with whether I should ask advice or just keep trying on my own and in prayer. It’s hard to resist.

At confession for something like that I’ve just kept it simple, confessing the type of sin and number of times it happened since my last confession.

 

[TheLittleLady]

When you are tempted, pray!

For confession, just say “Against the 6th commandment I have sinned X times”. If the priest wants detail, simply say “masturbation”.

 

[Marie76]

Thank you! It’s always so uncomfortable, it feels almost like a sin to say it to a priest.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I personally found that the squickiness of having to bring this up to a priest keeps me from doing the sin.

To the extent that hormones cause involuntary issues of this sort, they tend to get taken care of in my sleep.

 

[Marie76]

Yes, knowing I have to tell a priest helps.