Arousal Non-Concordance
A common mismatch where genital response and subjective (felt) arousal do not align (the body reacts without desire, or desire exists without strong genital response).
What This Really Means
Non-concordance is normal and especially important for consent clarity: genital response is not the same as wanting, agreeing, or feeling safe.
Stress, medication, trauma history, context, and meaning can all affect alignment.
Reports should use non-shaming language and encourage explicit check-ins rather than assumptions.
Examples
Lubrication/erection without feeling turned on
Feeling mentally aroused while the body is slow to respond
Genital response fades when anxiety rises even with attraction present.
Common Misunderstandings
Tap each myth to reveal the reality
Consent and comfort come first, and Arousal Non-Concordance only makes sense when those are respected.
Arousal Non-Concordance doesn’t automatically mean you’re broken, and context still matters.
Arousal Non-Concordance is about a common mismatch where genital response and subjective (felt) arousal do not align (the body reacts without desire, or desire exists without, and it doesn’t imply that it only happens after trauma.
Arousal Non-Concordance can influence experiences, but it doesn’t guarantee that outcome.
Tags
Inside LoveIQ
We identify patterns related to Arousal Non-Concordance by analyzing responses in our assessment modules, helping you understand your unique relationship dynamics.
Sample visualization of a gap metric.
“You don't need to label yourself. These terms help describe patterns — not define you.”
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