It has been suggested that Sexual function be merged into this article or section. (Discuss)

Sexual dysfunction or sexual malfunction (see also sexual function) is difficulty during any stage of the sexual act (which includes desire, arousal, orgasm, and resolution) that prevents the individual or couple from enjoying sexual activity. Image File history File links Mergefrom. ... Sexual function is a medical term used when assessing sexuality (mainly human sexuality) in clinical context. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) is a coding of diseases and signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or diseases, as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO). ... The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify diseases and a wide variety of signs, symptoms, abnormal findings, complaints, social circumstances and external causes of injury or disease. ... The following is a list of codes for International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. ... Sexual function is a medical term used when assessing sexuality (mainly human sexuality) in clinical context. ... Sexual behavior is a form of physical intimacy that may be directed to reproduction (one possible goal of sexual intercourse) and/or to the enjoyment of activity involving sexual gratification. ... Look up desire in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Turn on redirects here. ... // An orgasm (sexual climax) is the conclusion of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, and is experienced by both males and females. ...

Onset

Sexual difficulties can begin early in a person's sex life or they may develop after an individual has previously experienced enjoyable and satisfying sex. A problem may develop gradually over time, or may occur suddenly as a total or partial inability to participate in one or more stages of the sexual act. The causes of sexual difficulties can be physical, psychological, or both.

Emotional factors affecting sex include both interpersonal problems (such as marital/relationship problems, or lack of trust and open communication between partners) and psychological problems within the individual (depression, sexual fears or guilt, past sexual trauma, sexual disorders,^[1] and so on). Clinical depression (also called major depressive disorder, or unipolar depression when compared to bipolar disorder) is a state of intense sadness, melancholia or despair that has advanced to the point of being disruptive to an individuals social functioning and/or activities of daily living. ...

Physical factors include drugs (alcohol, nicotine, narcotics, stimulants, antihypertensives, antihistamines, and some psychotherapeutic drugs); injuries to the back, problems with an enlarged prostate gland, problems with blood supply, nerve damage (as in spinal cord injuries); or disease (diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, tumors, and, rarely, tertiary syphilis); failure of various organ systems (such as the heart and lungs); endocrine disorders (thyroid, pituitary, or adrenal gland problems); hormonal deficiencies (low testosterone, estrogen, or androgens); and some birth defects. This article is about the chemical compound. ... 19th century Heroin bottle This article is about the drug classification. ... An antihistamine is a drug which serves to reduce or eliminate effects mediated by histamine, an endogenous chemical mediator released during allergic reactions, through action at the histamine receptor. ... Diabetic neuropathies are neuropathic disorders that are associated with diabetes mellitus. ... For malignant tumors specifically, see cancer. ... Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. ... The endocrine system is a control system of ductless endocrine glands that secrete chemical messengers called hormones that circulate within the body via the bloodstream to affect distant organs. ... Located at the base of the skull, the pituitary gland is protected by a bony structure called the sella turcica. ... In mammals, the adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are the triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of the kidneys; their name indicates that position (ad-, near or at + -renes, kidneys). They are chiefly responsible for regulating the stress response through the synthesis of corticosteroids and catecholamines... Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group. ... Estriol. ... Androgen is the generic term for any natural or synthetic compound, usually a steroid hormone, that stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors. ... A congenital disorder is a medical condition or defect that is present at or before birth (for example, congenital heart disease). ...

Sexual dysfunction disorders are generally classified into four categories: sexual desire disorders, sexual arousal disorders, orgasm disorders, and sexual pain disorders.

1. Sexual desire disorders or decreased libido can be caused by a decrease in normal estrogen (in women) or testosterone (in both men and women) production. Other causes may be aging, fatigue, pregnancy, medications (such as the SSRIs) or psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Loss of libido from SSRIs usually reverses after SSRIs are discontinued, but in some cases it does not. This is known as PSSD.
2. Sexual arousal disorders were previously known as frigidity in women and impotence in men, though these have now been replaced with less judgmental terms. Impotence is now known as erectile dysfunction, and frigidity has been replaced with a number of terms describing specific problems with, for example, desire or arousal.
   For both men and women, these conditions can manifest as an aversion to, and avoidance of, sexual contact with a partner. In men, there may be partial or complete failure to attain or maintain an erection, or a lack of sexual excitement and pleasure in sexual activity.
   There may be medical causes to these disorders, such as decreased blood flow or lack of vaginal lubrication. Chronic disease can also contribute, as well as the nature of the relationship between the partners. As the success of sildenafil (Viagra) attests, most erectile disorders in men are primarily physical, not psychological conditions.
3. Orgasm disorders are a persistent delay or absence of orgasm following a normal sexual excitement phase. The disorder can occur in both women and men. Again, the SSRI antidepressants are frequent culprits -- these can delay the achievement of orgasm or eliminate it entirely.
4. Sexual pain disorders affect women almost exclusively and are known as dyspareunia (painful intercourse) and vaginismus (an involuntary spasm of the muscles of the vaginal wall that interferes with intercourse). Dyspareunia may be caused by insufficient lubrication (vaginal dryness) in women.

Poor lubrication may result from insufficient excitement and stimulation, or from hormonal changes caused by menopause, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Irritation from contraceptive creams and foams can also cause dryness, as can fear and anxiety about sex. SSRI redirects here; for other uses, see SSRI (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Libido (disambiguation). ... Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) is a type of sexual dysfunction caused by the previous use of SSRI antidepressants. ... Sildenafil citrate, sold under the names Viagra, Revatio and generically under various other names, is a drug used to treat male erectile dysfunction (impotence) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), developed by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer. ... SSRI is an acronym that stands for several things: It is a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI also is used as the stock symbol for Silver Standard Resources Inc. ... Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse, due to medical or psychological causes. ... Vaginismus is a condition which affects a womans ability to engage in any form of vaginal penetration, including sexual penetration, insertion of tampons, and the penetration involved in gynecological examinations. ... Vaginal lubrication is the naturally produced lubricating fluid that reduces friction during sexual intercourse. ... Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age in women. ... This article is about human pregnancy in biological females. ...

It is unclear exactly what causes vaginismus, but it is thought that past sexual trauma (such as rape or abuse) may play a role. Another female sexual pain disorder is called vulvodynia or vulvar vestibulitis. In this condition, women experience burning pain during sex which seems to be related to problems with the skin in the vulvar and vaginal areas. The cause is unknown. Vulvodynia refers to a disorder of vulvar pain, burning, and discomfort that interferes with the quality of life. ... Vulvodynia refers to a disorder of vulvar pain, burning, and discomfort that interferes with the quality of life. ...

Sexual dysfunctions are more common in the early adult years, with the majority of people seeking care for such conditions during their late twenties through thirties. The incidence increases again in the geriatric population, typically with gradual onset of symptoms that are associated most commonly with medical causes of sexual dysfunction.

Sexual dysfunction is more common in people who abuse alcohol and drugs. It is also more likely in people suffering from diabetes and degenerative neurological disorders. Ongoing psychological problems, difficulty maintaining relationships or chronic disharmony with the current sexual partner can also interfere with sexual function. Sexual function is a medical term used when assessing sexuality (mainly human sexuality) in clinical context. ...

Symptoms

Psychological sexual disorders

The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists the following psychological sexual disorders: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is a handbook for mental health professionals that lists different categories of mental disorder and the criteria for diagnosing them, according to the publishing organization the American Psychiatric Association. ...

• Hypoactive sexual disorder (see also asexuality)
• Bestiality
• Sexual aversion disorder (avoidance of or lack of desire for sexual intercourse)
• Female sexual arousal disorder (failure of normal lubricating arousal response)
• Male erectile disorder
• Female orgasmic disorder (see Anorgasmia)
• Male orgasmic disorder (see Anorgasmia)
• Premature ejaculation
• Dyspareunia
• Vaginismus
• Secondary sexual dysfunction
• Paraphilias
• Gender identity disorder
• PTSD due to genital mutilation or childhood sexual abuse

Inhibited sexual desire (ISD), sometimes called frigidity, sexual aversion, sexual apathy or hypoactive sexual desire, refers to a low level of sexual desire and interest manifested by a failure to initiate or be responsive to a partners initiation of sexual activity. ... This article is about the sexual orientation in humans. ... Look up Bestiality in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Inhibited sexual desire (ISD), sometimes called frigidity, sexual aversion, sexual apathy or hypoactive sexual desire, refers to a low level of sexual desire and interest manifested by a failure to initiate or be responsive to a partners initiation of sexual activity. ... Female sexual arousal disorder is the condition of decreased, insufficient, or absent lubrication in females during sex, even despite normal sexual arousal. ... Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis. ... Anorgasmia (also known as Retarded Ejaculation in males) is a form of sexual dysfunction, sometimes classified as a psychiatric disorder, where the patient cannot achieve orgasm, even with adequate stimulation. ... Anorgasmia (also known as Retarded Ejaculation in males) is a form of sexual dysfunction, sometimes classified as a psychiatric disorder, where the patient cannot achieve orgasm, even with adequate stimulation. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse, due to medical or psychological causes. ... Vaginismus is a condition which affects a womans ability to engage in any form of vaginal penetration, including sexual penetration, insertion of tampons, and the penetration involved in gynecological examinations. ... Look up paraphilia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Gender identity disorder, as identified by psychologists and physicians, is a condition in which a person has been assigned one gender, usually on the basis of their sex at birth (compare intersex disorders), but identifies as belonging to another gender, and feels significant discomfort or being unable to deal with... Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is a term for the psychological consequences of exposure to or confrontation with stressful experiences, which involve actual or threatened death, serious physical injury or a threat to physical integrity and which the person found highly traumatic. ...

Other sexual problems

• Sexual dissatisfaction (non-specific)
• Lack of sexual desire
• Anorgasmia
• Impotence
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Infidelity
• Delay or absence of ejaculation, despite adequate stimulation
• Inability to control timing of ejaculation
• Inability to relax vaginal muscles enough to allow intercourse
• Inadequate vaginal lubrication preceding and during intercourse
• Burning pain on the vulva or in the vagina with contact to those areas
• Unhappiness or confusion related to sexual orientation
• Transsexual and transgender people may have sexual problems (before or after surgery), though actually being transgendered or transsexual is not a sexual problem in itself.
• Persistent sexual arousal syndrome
• Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction
• Sexual addiction
• Hypersexuality
• Female genital cutting has occurred more in the USA than previously thought
• Male circumcision alters the natural sexual function for both partners

Anorgasmia (also known as Retarded Ejaculation in males) is a form of sexual dysfunction, sometimes classified as a psychiatric disorder, where the patient cannot achieve orgasm, even with adequate stimulation. ... Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis. ... A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is an illness caused by an infectious pathogen that has a significant probability of transmission between humans by means of sexual contact, including vaginal intercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. ... Look up infidelity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Ejaculation is the ejecting of semen from the penis, and is usually accompanied by orgasm. ... The vagina, (from Latin, literally sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... The word intercourse refers to: Look up intercourse in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The external genital organs of the female are collectively known as the vulva (plural vulvae or vulvas)[1]. In common speech, the term vagina is often used improperly to refer to the vulva or female genitals generally, even though, strictly speaking, the vagina is a specific internal structure, whereas the... Sexual orientation refers to the direction of an individuals sexuality, normally conceived of as falling into several significant categories based around the sex or gender that the individual finds attractive. ... A transsexual (sometimes transexual) person establishes a permanent identity with the opposite gender to their assigned (usually at birth) sex. ... A transgender person in New York Citys Gay Pride Parade Transgender (IPA: , from trans (Latin) and gender (English) ) is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies that diverge from the normative gender role (woman or man) commonly, but not always, assigned at... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome results in a spontaneous and persistent genital arousal, with or without orgasm or genital engorgement, unrelated to any feelings of sexual desire. ... Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) is a type of sexual dysfunction caused by the previous use of SSRI antidepressants. ... Sexual addiction (sexual compulsion)—a postulated form of psychological addiction—is a hotly debated topic with numerous critics and evidence on both sides of the debate. ... Satyriasis redirects here. ... Female genital cutting (FGC), female genital mutilation (FGM), or female circumcision (FC), is the excision or tissue removal of any part of the female genitalia for cultural, religious or other non-medical reasons. ... This article is being rewritten at Circumcision/temp Circumcision is the removal of some or all of the prepuce or foreskin though often the frenulum is also excised. ...

Other related problems

• Infertility
• Paraphilia

Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a man or a woman to contribute to conception. ... Look up paraphilia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Clinical studies

Since people tend not to talk to one another about their sexual problems, many people imagine that they are "abnormal", or that their sexual problems are unique or shameful. Images of sexuality presented by society and the media often present people with unrealistic ideals of sexual behavior, whether of the ideals of chastity and sexual fidelity presented by religion, or the ideal of sexual inexhaustibility and promiscuous availability presented by pornography. Neither image appears to be representative of human behavior in real life: this has been summed up in the phrase "everyone lies about sex". It has been suggested that the section Shame campaign from the article Smear campaign be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see Society (disambiguation). ... Allegory of chastity by Hans Memling. ... “Promiscuous” redirects here. ... Porn redirects here. ...

The genuine clinical study of sexual problems is usually dated back no further than 1970 when Masters and Johnson's Human Sexual Inadequacy was published. It was the result of over a decade of work at the Reproductive Biology Research Foundation in St. Louis, involving 790 cases. The work grew from Masters and Johnson's earlier Human Sexual Response (1966). Time magazine, May 25, 1970 Gynecologist William Howell Masters (December 27, 1915 – February 16, 2001) and psychologist Virginia Eshelman Johnson (born February 11, 1925) pioneered research into human sexual behavior during the 1950s and 1960s. ... Time magazine, May 25, 1970 Gynecologist William Howell Masters (December 27, 1915 – February 16, 2001) and psychologist Virginia Eshelman Johnson (born February 11, 1925) pioneered research into human sexual behavior during the 1950s and 1960s. ... Sexual arousal is the process and state of an animal being ready for sexual intercourse. ...

Prior to Masters and Johnson the clinical approach to sexual problems was largely derived from the thinking of Freud. It was held with psychopathology and approached with a certain pessimism regarding the chance of help or improvement. Sexual problems were merely symptoms of a deeper malaise and the diagnostic approach was from the psychopathological. There was little distinction between difficulties in function and variations nor between perversion and problems. Despite work by psychotherapists such as Balint sexual difficulties were crudely split into frigidity or impotence, terms which too soon acquired negative connotations in popular culture. Sigmund Freud His famous couch Sigmund Freud (May 6, 1856 - September 23, 1939) was an Austrian neurologist and the founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology, a movement that popularized the theory that unconscious motives control much behavior. ... Psychopathology is a term which refers to either the study of mental illness or mental distress, or the manifestation of behaviors and experiences which may be indicative of mental illness or psychological impairment. ... Inhibited sexual desire (ISD), sometimes called frigidity, sexual aversion, Sexual apathy or Hypoactive sexual desire, refers to a low level of sexual desire and interest manifested by a failure to initiate or be responsive to a partners initiation of sexual activity. ... Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis. ...

The achievement of Human Sexual Inadequacy was to move thinking from psychopathology to learning, only if a problem did not respond to educative treatment would psychopathological problems be considered. Also treatment was directed at couples, whereas before partners would be seen individually. Masters and Johnson saw that sex was a joint act. They believed that sexual communication was the key issue to sexual problems not the specifics of an individual problem. They also proposed co-therapy, a matching pair of therapists to the clients, arguing that a lone male therapist could not fully comprehend female difficulties and vice versa.

The basic Masters and Johnson treatment program was an intensive two week program to develop efficient sexual communication. Couple-based and therapist led the program began with discussion and then sensate focus between the couple to develop shared experiences. From the experiences specific difficulties could be determined and approached with a specific therapy. In a limited number of male only cases (41) Masters and Johnson had developed the use of a female surrogate, an approach they soon abandoned over the ethical, legal and other problems it raised.

In defining the range of sexual problems Masters and Johnson defined a boundary between dysfunction and deviations. Dysfunctions were transitory and experience by the majority of people, dysfunctions bounded male primary or secondary impotence, premature ejaculation, ejaculatory incompetence; female primary orgasmic dysfunction and situational orgasmic dysfunction; pain during intercourse (dyspareunia) and vaginismus. According to Masters and Johnson sexual arousal and climax are a normal physiological process of every functionally intact adult, but despite being autonomic it can be inhibited. Masters and Johnson treatment program for dysfunction was 81.1% successful. Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article is about male ejaculation. ... Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse, due to medical or psychological causes. ... Vaginismus is a condition which affects a womans ability to engage in any form of vaginal penetration, including sexual penetration, insertion of tampons, and the penetration involved in gynecological examinations. ... Turn on redirects here. ... // An orgasm (sexual climax) is the conclusion of the plateau phase of the sexual response cycle, and is experienced by both males and females. ...

Despite the work of Masters and Johnson the field in the US was quickly over-run by ethusiastic rather than systematic approaches, blurring the space between 'enrichment' and therapy. Although it has been argued that the impact of the work was such that it would be impossible to repeat such a clean experiment.

See also

• Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction
• Agony aunt
• Female Sexual Dysfunction
• Sexual function
• Anorgasmia
• Premature Ejaculation
• Dapoxetine

Post SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) is a type of sexual dysfunction caused by the previous use of SSRI antidepressants. ... An agony aunt is an advice columnist at a magazine or newspaper. ... Female sexual arousal disorder is the condition of decreased interest in sexual intercourse, sexual activity, and sexual contact in females. ... Sexual function is a medical term used when assessing sexuality (mainly human sexuality) in clinical context. ... Anorgasmia (also known as Retarded Ejaculation in males) is a form of sexual dysfunction, sometimes classified as a psychiatric disorder, where the patient cannot achieve orgasm, even with adequate stimulation. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Dapoxetine is the International Nonproprietary Name of a drug currently being considered for approval by the FDA for the treatment of premature ejaculation in men, which would make it the first drug approved for such treatment. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st Century. ... is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Sexual Dysfunction Problems guide
• NIH site on sexual problems
• 100 FAQs about sexual dysfunction
• Female Libido
• Information on various sexual dysfunctions
• Vaginimus Awareness Network: A non-profit site offering facts and advice to women with vaginismus, their partners and gynaecologists
• Sexual Dysfunction Research Community
• Site for men with sexual dysfunction
• Sexual Medicine Society of North America's website: SexHealthMatters.org
• Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome - Language: Dutch and English
• Especially for men with ED Erectile Dysfunction
• Especially for women with FSD Female Sexual Dysfunction