Tension in bed

Choking: when sexual pressure puts a strain on love

Prof. Gerti Senger writes in the "Krone" about lust and love.(Bild: stock.adobe.com, Krone KREATIV)

Different sexual desires can lead to tension in relationships. This is exactly what Marie and Jacob experience: while Jacob seeks more closeness, Marie feels pressured and reacts with excuses. This phenomenon, known as "choking", describes tensing up under pressure, which leads to problems in intimate moments.

Fine when two people like each other and want to have sex at the same time. Difficult when one wants it more often than the other. Marie has plenty of excuses to avoid Jacob's sexual desires. "I've already put some cream on / The electrician is coming tomorrow morning / My book is so exciting right now."