Sexual dysfunction denotes problems experienced by certain individuals during one or any of the phases in the sexual response cycle, which hinders a person from experiencing gratification during sexual intercourse. The sexual response cycle has several major areas, namely, excitement, orgasm, and resolution. Sexual dysfunction is the inability of an individual to achieve sexual gratification and experience arousal due to psychological problems or a physical disorder.
Four sections characterize sexual dysfunction. The first one is the Sexual Desire Disorders. This is described by the persistent lack of desire for sexual activities and sexual fantasies over a prolonged period. Sexual desire disorder has been separated into two categories, namely, Female Sexual Arousal/Interest Disorder and Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder Clayton et al. (2002). These two categories are both classified by lack of or low level of sexual interest, which leads to the failure to initiate and or respond to sexual intimacy. The symptoms of sexual desire disorder include reduced or absent interest in sexual activities, reduced or no initiation of sexual activities, absent or reduced sexual fantasies, and reduced or absent genital sensation during sexual intercourse.
The second one is Sexual Arousal Disorder; this includes the male genitalia erection and the female virginal lubrication until the end of sexual activity; it is often described as the recurrent and tenacious inability to achieve and or maintain erection and lubrication till the end of a sexual encounter. When individuals are sexually stimulated, they get excited sexually, both emotionally and mentally Hatzimouratidis et al. (2010). These excitements bring about certain changes in both men and women, the penis erects and the vagina secrets fluids that cause lubrication, in women the breasts swell slightly.
Individuals with sexual arousal disorder don’t experience these kinds of changes, or if they experience the changes, they can’t maintain them. This condition can be caused by anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, or even stress. Medical issues that can cause arousal disorders include low levels of testosterone and estrogen and infection in the vagina Laumann et al. (1999).
Thirdly, there is the Orgasmic Disorder; this entails both male and female orgasmic disorder and premature ejaculation. The recurrent and tenacious lack, delay, or absence of orgasm after the normal sexual encounter phase characterizes it. In females, it is characterized by the failure of a woman to reach orgasm during sexual stimulation, while in men, it is described by premature ejaculation or delayed ejaculation. There are different types of orgasmic dysfunction, namely, Primary orgasmic dysfunction, which is when an individual has never had an orgasm before Clayton et al. (2002). Secondary orgasmic dysfunctions are the difficulty of getting an orgasm even though an individual has had one before. General orgasmic dysfunction is characterized by a person not being able to reach orgasm even though there is adequate stimulation and arousal. Situational orgasmic dysfunction is the most common type of orgasmic dysfunction; it is when an individual can only orgasm in certain situations, such as masturbation or oral sex.
The fourth one is sexual pain disorders, which is characterized by the recurrent and tenacious pain that is experienced during a normal sexual encounter. It has two categories, namely, Vaginismus and Dyspareunia. Dyspareunia, on the other hand, is the recurrent and persistent genital pain that occurs before, after, or during sexual intercourse Laumann et al. (1999).
Vaginismus is found in females, while dyspareunia can be found in both females and males. Vaginismus is the persistent involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles when penetration is attempted. It occurs in the pelvic floor muscle. The contractions don’t interfere with sexual arousal but can cause penetration to be very painful or can even prevent it. Vaginismus can be caused by the following: premature lovemaking after childbirth, inflamed hemorrhoids, an aggressive or impatient sexual partner, and genitourinary tract infections.
Sexual disorders are a reflection of the problems in the phases of sexual intercourse. The phase begins with excitement, which begins with initial stimulation with psychological changes until the time when orgasm takes place Laumann et al. (1999). The second phase, orgasm, is the slow buildup of excitement during sexual intercourse that climaxes with the release of tension. The third phase, resolution, occurs when the excitement has been lessened at the end of intercourse.
Sexual dysfunctions are caused by physiological and psychological and continue to perceive the same causes. Physiological causes of sexual dysfunction are those causes that are perceived by the body as opposed to the mind. They include medical conditions that include diabetes, which disease affects how the body uses insulin. This might lead to high sugar levels in the body, hence damaging nerve endings that can interfere with a person’s sex life.
Cardiovascular disease is an additional medical condition that can be experienced in both early and late adulthood. Vaginismus and pain during intercourse have been heavily attributed to cardiovascular diseases. Alcoholism, as well as drug abuse, can also cause sexual dysfunction in a person.
Psychological causes of sexual dysfunction are causes of sexual dysfunction that arise from the mind and are dependent on a person’s mental and emotional state. Many individuals have sexual dysfunctions that are induced by psychology. Psychological causes of sexual dysfunction may vary from current conditions to past conditions. Past conditions that might affect a person’s sexuality include parental relations, childhood history, adolescent period, and sexual development. Some of the psychological female sexual dysfunctions can be attributed to childhood sexual abuse and some traumatic previous sexual encounters.
The psychological causes of sexual dysfunction include things like, feeling guilt about sex, if a person is feeling guilty about the sexual encounter their mind is disturbed hence not participating fully in intercourse this will cause the person to have sexual dysfunctioning. Pressure and concern about sexual performance, stress, self-esteem, and body image issues are also other factors that can affect an individual’s sexual functionality.
Most of the sexual dysfunctions can be cured by treating the psychological or physical problems that are underlying. Treatment strategies that are used in curing sexual disorders include. Mechanical aids: this method can be used by men who have erectile dysfunction; they can use a penile implant or vacuum devices. There is a vacuum device called Eros that women can use; the downside is that it is too expensive. Women who experience narrow vaginas can use dilators.
The medication for sexual dysfunction. When the cause of sexual dysfunction is medication, a reverse in the medication or a change in medication can be the solution. Both women and men who have hormonal deficiencies will gain from hormone pills, creams, or shots Hatzimouratidis et al. (2010). In men, drugs such as Viagra, tadalafil, and the like can help in improving their sexual functioning by increasing blood flow to the penis during coitus.
Psychotherapy is also a way of curing sexual dysfunctionality. A trained counselor can help a person with underlying issues that lead to sexual trauma from their past. A therapist can address the patient’s anxiety, guilt, fear, and poor body image that might make a person have a dysfunctional sexuality. The therapist can make the patient feel secure in their body and help them face their fears, thus curing sexual dysfunctionality Hatzimouratidis et al. (2010). Sex therapy is also a good cure for couples who are having sexual problems. The therapists counsel the couples, and after successful counseling, the couple can enjoy a normal sexual relationship.
References
Clayton, A. H., Pradko, J. F., Croft, H. A., Montano, C. B., Leadbetter, R. A., Bolden-Watson, C., … & Metz, A. (2002). Prevalence of sexual dysfunction among newer antidepressants.
Frank, E., Anderson, C., & Rubinstein, D. (1978). Frequency of sexual dysfunction in normal couples.
Hatzimouratidis, K., Amar, E., Eardley, I., Giuliano, F., Hatzichristou, D., Montorsi, F., … & Wespes, E. (2010). Guidelines on male sexual dysfunction: erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
Laumann, E. O., Paik, A., & Rosen, R. C. (1999). Sexual dysfunction in the United States: prevalence and predictors.
