I had a difficult childhood and although I am now on medication and doing much better, I feel so much shame and regretI am a 27-year-old virgin and have never had a relationship. I am seriously considering seeing an escort just so I can get it over with. But while your idea of seeking an “escort” might help with the mechanics of sex, it may be detrimental in other ways. Your real task is not to achieve basic sexual coupling, but to learn how to comfortably navigate dating and courtship, and to develop relationship skills. • If you would like advice from Pamela Stephenson Connolly on sexual matters, send us a brief description of your concerns to private.lives@theguardian.com (please don’t send attachments).

Source: The Guardian August 21, 2017 06:56 UTC