What are Sexual Disorders?

Sexual dysfunctions are disorders related to a particular phase of the sexual response cycle. For example, sexual dysfunctions include sexual desire disorders, sexual arousal disorders, orgasm disorders, and sexual pain disorders. If a person has difficulty with some phase of the sexual response cycle or a person experiences pain with sexual intercourse, he/she may have a sexual dysfunction.

Examples of sexual dysfunctions include:

• Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder. This disorder may be present when a person has decreased sexual fantasies and a decreased or absent desire for sexual activity. In order to be considered a sexual disorder the decreased desire must cause a problem for the individual. In this situation the person usually does not initiate sexual activity and may be slow to respond to his/her partner's sexual advances. This disorder can be present in adolescents and can persist throughout a person's life. Many times, however, the lowered sexual desire occurs during adulthood, often times following a period of stress.

• Sexual Aversion Disorder. A person who actively avoids and has a persistent or recurrent extreme aversion to genital sexual contact with a sexual partner may have sexual aversion disorder. In order to be considered a disorder, the aversion to sex must be a cause of difficulty in the person's sexual relationship. The individual with sexual aversion disorder usually reports anxiety, fear, or disgust when given the opportunity to be involved sexually. Touching and kissing may even be avoided. Extreme anxiety such as panic attacks may actually occur. It is not unusual for a person to feel nauseated, dizzy, or faint.

• Female Sexual Arousal Disorder. Female sexual arousal disorder is described as the inability of a woman to complete sexual activity with adequate lubrication. Swelling of the external genitalia and vaginal lubrication are generally absent. These symptoms must cause problems in the interpersonal relationship to be considered a disorder. It is not unusual for the woman with female sexual arousal disorder to have almost no sense of sexual arousal. Often, these women experience pain with intercourse and avoid sexual contact with their partner.

• Male Erectile Disorder. If a male is unable to maintain an erection throughout sexual activity, he may have male erectile disorder. This problem must be either persistent or recurrent in nature. Also, the erectile disturbance must cause difficulty in the relationship with the sexual partner to be defined as a disorder. Some males will be unable to obtain any erection. Others will have an adequate erection, but lose the erection during sexual activity. Erectile disorders may accompany a fear of failure. Sometimes this disorder is present throughout life. In many cases the erectile failure is intermittent and sometimes dependent upon the type of partner or the quality of the relationship.

• Female Orgasmic Disorder. Female orgasmic disorder occurs when there is a significant delay or total absence of orgasm associated with the sexual activity. This condition must cause a problem in the relationship with the sexual partner in order to be defined as a disorder.

• Male Orgasmic Disorder. When a male experiences significant delay or total absence of orgasm following sexual activity, he may have male orgasmic disorder. In order to be qualified as a disorder, the symptoms must present a significant problem for the individual.Premature Ejaculation. When minimal sexual stimulation causes orgasm and ejaculation on a persistent basis for the male, he is said to have premature ejaculation. The timing of the ejaculation must cause a problem for the person or the relationship in order to be qualified as a disorder. Premature ejaculation is sometimes seen in young men who have experienced premature ejaculation since their first attempt at intercourse.

• Dyspareunia. Dyspareunia is a sexual pain disorder. Dyspareunia is genital pain that accompanies sexual intercourse. Both males and females can experience this disorder, but the disorder is more common in women. Dyspareunia tends to be chronic in nature.

What can people do if they need help?

If you, a friend, or a family member would like more information and you have a therapist or a physician, please discuss your concerns with that person.

The questions we provide here are meant to provoke thought and discussion. They also provide a way for the user to examine their sexual health and well being.

What are your beliefs about sexuality and your body?

How do you like your body?

How did you learn about sex and sexuality?

What was your first sexual experience like? What was your first intercourse like?

Have you ever been sexually abused or raped? Has your sexuality been put down or criticized?

What is your love life currently? Are you in a relationship?

What would you like to improve about your sexuality and your love life?

How often do you get kissed and held? How often do you get massaged?

What would your current or last lover think about you increasing your sexual energy, your capacity for receiving pleasure, and being more expressive of your desires?

Have you had, or do you now have, any health issues with your breasts, genitals, or reproductive organs?

How aware are you of safer sex practices? Do you know how to use condoms properly? How aware are you of the transmission methods of sexually transmitted diseases, and their affects?

What are your fears about improving your sexuality and your sex life?

What would you improve about how you are in relationship? What do you wish people you are interested in would be better at in relationship?

What do you enjoy most about your sexuality?

What do you enjoy most about being in relationships?

What do you wish men knew about women and sex? (or if you're a man, what do you wish women knew?)

How comfortable are you with receiving pleasure?

Have you examined any alternative lifestyles (i.e. polyamory, swinging, communal living), or sexual attitudes in other cultures? What affect did that have?

How do your religious and spiritual beliefs affect your sexuality?

Do you use your sexual energy to further your goals, health, and spiritual growth?

What feelings have you had answering these questions? What ideas?

What do you think Tantra could awaken in your life?

What is your vision for your sexuality and your being in relationship?