Asking for a friend: I think I might be asexual. I've never had much interest in sex and two exes broke up with me because of it. Could it be that or something else?

"I think I might be asexual, but I'm not sure. I've never had much interest in sex, and its caused some issues in my past relationships. Two ex-partners broke up with me because of it, and other relationships that I would have liked to have didn't happen because they wanted more intimacy than I did so they just stopped before they got started. I feel a bit heartbroken, and I have been judged for not hooking up at parties while my friends do. But it just doesn't interest me to do this and, to be honest, I don't understand how they are so comfortable with it."

"I suspect there are far more people who feel the same way as you out there in the world, but because of a lack of understanding, they internalise this struggle and feel like there is something wrong with them."

An individual reports little or no sexual interest and uncertainty about being asexual. Past relationships ended when partners sought sexual intimacy, and potential relationships stalled when others wanted more intimacy. The individual feels judged for not participating in casual hookups and feels heartbroken by relationship losses. The individual avoids discussing feelings with friends after upsetting comments and has limited information about asexuality and LGBTQ+ identities, with existing labels feeling inaccurate. A respondent suggests many people experience similar feelings and internalise distress because of widespread lack of understanding.

Read at Independent