When Sachin Raoul, 27, encountered a sexual issue following a break-up three years ago, it led to him feeling "distressed".

As we challenge the stigma surrounding mental health and seeking out therapy, more people than ever are starting relationships counselling and sex therapy. Therapists say that it's not just couples who've reached crisis point who are reaching out. In fact, more young couples than ever are starting therapy in order to prevent major issues down the line in their relationships. They are looking to have and maintain the healthiest possible relationships. And of the most useful techniques sex therapists will teach couples is Sensate Focus. This technique is all about mindfulness and can increase your intimacy and ultimately make your sexual experiences (and relationship) more pleasurable.

After all, our collective mental health has suffered and we’ve been told to avoid contact with other people unless absolutely necessary – and now ordered to stay away from sex altogether, unless we are in an ‘established’ relationship.

When the UK went into lockdown, single people were forced to press pause on their love lives. Flourishing flirtations were cast aside; random hookups became a distant memory. Romance, as it was known, screeched to a halt. Seven months later, it’s still not clear when it will get moving again.

Just started dating someone new? Then most of us can relate to feeling nervous about taking things to the next level. But what happens if you have been married for years and you suddenly start to feel sexual anxiety? Turns out, these feelings can develop at any time. And, you can’t simply get over it by spicing things up with one of the best vibrators or acting out a sexual fantasy with your partner. Expert advice is key. But, the good news is we’ve asked a sexuality educator for their best tips on how get a handle on sexual anxiety.

When Nicole Moore, the CEO and owner of Love Works near San Diego, started her relationship coaching business nearly a decade ago, the issue of politics seldom if ever came up with her clients. Then came 2016, the election year that changed everything. These days, one’s political affiliation is guaranteed to be brought up — passionately.

Under any circumstances, it is often rooted in fear or discomfort of sexual intercourse. Feeling anxious about sex can manifest in a number of ways, especially through symptoms of sexual dysfunction.

When it comes to sex, people tend to focus only on the good things like orgasm, positions, partners. But sex has another side to talk about; sexual anxiety.