Feeling Conflicted About Sex After an Affair? Is That Normal? | Ask Dr. Talal

It is not uncommon for betrayed partners to feel deeply conflicted about sexual intimacy after discovering an affair. Some may feel a sudden and unexpected pull toward their spouse, while others feel repulsed or emotionally unable to engage. Both responses are normal, and neither is a sign that something is wrong with you. The intersection of trauma, love, and physical intimacy is one of the most complex dimensions of affair recovery.

In this episode of Ask Dr. Talal, Dr. Talal H. Alsaleem, PsyD, LMFT addresses the emotional and psychological dynamics behind conflicted feelings about sex following infidelity. He offers a compassionate clinical perspective on why these contradictions exist, what they can tell us about our attachment needs, and how couples can navigate this sensitive area with care and mutual understanding.