Fear of prostitutes or venereal disease (cypridophobia)

Cypridophobia is listed as a fear of prostitutes or of venereal disease, which today is usually called sexually transmitted infection. It might show up as worry about catching an infection, avoiding intimacy, or distress around anything connected with sex work. Any real symptoms or health concerns are best checked with a GP or a sexual health clinic.

About this phobia

The word is usually linked to Cypris, an old name for the goddess Aphrodite. It is rarely reported and found mostly on lists, and it oddly combines two separate fears in one term. Related fears on the same lists include a fear of sexually transmitted infection on its own and a wider fear of intimacy.

What it feels like

• Repeated worry about infection, even after reassurance or a clear test
• Avoiding closeness or relationships because of fear of disease
• Strong discomfort at any mention of sex work

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

Common questions

Who can help with a fear of sexually transmitted infections?

A GP or local sexual health clinic can give clear, confidential information and testing, which often settles worries rooted in uncertainty. If the fear is linked to something that happened to you, a GP or a specialist counsellor can help. Talking it through with someone trained in this area can make it feel less isolating.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Ready to start?

Book a £49 consultation call and we’ll talk through your fear, or take the free suitability test first.

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