Definition
Sexual problem is a difficulty during any stage of the sexual act (such as desire, arousal, orgasm, and resolution) that prevents the couple or individual from enjoying sexual activity.
Information
Sexual difficulties may begin after an individual has previously experienced enjoyable and satisfying sex, or they may develop early in a person's life. A problem may occur suddenly as a total or partial inability to participate in one or more stages of the sexual act, or may develop gradually over time. The causes of sexual difficulties might be psychological, physical, or both.
Emotional factors affecting coitus include both psychological problems within the individual (sexual fears or guilt, depression, or past sexual trauma) and interpersonal problems (such as marital or relationship problems, or lack of trust and open communication between partners).
Physical factors contributing to sexual problems is might be such as failure of various organ systems, endocrine disorders hormonal deficiencies, drugs (alcohol, nicotine, narcotics), disease (diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis).
There are 4 categories classified for sexual dysfunction disorders:
- Sexual desire disorder or decreased libido may be caused by a decrease in normal estrogen (in women) or testosterone (in both men and women) production. Other causes: pregnancy, aging, fatigue, medications -- the SSRI anti-depressants which include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil) are well known for reducing desire in both men and women -- or psychiatric conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
- Sexual arousal disorders. Were previously known as impotence in men and frigidity in women. Frigidity is now described as any of several specific problems with desire, arousal, or anxiety and impotence is now known as erectile dysfunction.
- Orgasm disorder. It is a persistent delay or absence of orgasm following a normal sexual excitement phase in both women and men.
- Sexual pain disorders. They affect women almost exclusively, and they are known as vaginismus (an involuntary spasm of the muscles of the vaginal wall that interferes with intercourse) and dyspareunia (painful intercourse). Insufficient lubrication (vaginal dryness) in women may cause dyspareunia.
In the early adult years sexual dysfunctions are more common. Then usually the incidence appears again in the geriatric population, typically with gradual onset of symptoms that are associated most commonly with medical causes of sexual dysfunction.
For people who abuse alcohol and drugs or people suffering from diabetes and degenerative neurological disorders sexual dysfunction is more common. Ongoing psychological problems may also interfere with sexual function such as difficulty maintaining relationships, or chronic disharmony with the current sexual partner.
Prevention
Couples who are honest and open about their sexual feeling and preferences are more likely to avoid some sexual dysfunction. One partner has to be able to communicate desires and preferences to the other partner.
People are urged to seek psychiatric advice if they are victims of sexual trauma. Personal consulting with a specialist in trauma can prove beneficial in allowing sexual abuse victims to enjoy voluntary sexual experiences with a chosen partner and overcome sexual difficulties.
Treatment
For the each case of sexual dysfunction there are different treatments. For some people experiencing sexual dysfunction due to physical illnesses, conditions, or disabilities physical therapy and mechanical aides may be helpful.
The medication sildenafil (Viagra), which increases blood flow to the penis, may be very helpful for men who have difficulty attaining an erection, though it must be taken 1 to 4 hours prior to intercourse.
Women with vaginal dryness may be helped with lubricating gels, hormone creams, and hormone replacement therapy -- in cases of premenopausal or menopausal women. To take testosterone can help to women with androgen deficiency in some cases.
Testosterone cream, with use of biofeedback and with low doses of some antidepressants (which treat nerve pain) can treat Vulvodynia. Surgery has not given successful results.
To treat problems associated with orgasm and sexual arousal disorders behavioral treatments involve many different techniques.
In many cases all that is required may be simple, open, accurate, and supportive education about sex and sexual behaviors or responses may. Some couples may benefit from joint counseling to address communication styles and interpersonal issues. Psychotherapy may be required to address anxieties, poor body image, fears or inhibitions.
PROGNOSIS AND OUTCOME
The prognosis (probable outcome) depends on the case of sexual dysfunction. Generally speaking, the probable outcome is good for physical (organically-caused) dysfunctions, which is result from reversible or treatable conditions. Many organic causes do not respond to medical or surgical treatments.
The prognosis might be good for temporary or mild dysfunction associated with situational stressors or lack of accurate information in functional sexual problems, which result from relationship problems or psychological factors, t. However, those cases associated with deep-seated psychiatric problems or chronically poor-functioning relationships typically do not have positive outcomes.
COMPLICATIONS
Some cases of sexual dysfunction may produce infertility.
Persistent sexual dysfunction can produce depression in some cases. The importance of the disorder needs to be determined. Sexual dysfunction may lead to conflicts or potential breakups if it is not addressed adequately.
Symptoms
If sexual problems persist and are a concern you should call for an appointment with your health care provider
Men:
1) You have delay or even absence of ejaculation, despite adequate stimulation
2) You are unable to control timing of ejaculation
3) You cannot attain or maintain an erection adequately for intercourse.
Women:
1) You are unable to relax vaginal muscles enough to allow intercourse
2) You have inadequate vaginal lubrication preceding and during intercourse
3) You have burning pain on the vulva or in the vagina with contact to those areas
4) You are unable to attain orgasm
Men or women:
1) You do not feel any desire or even interest in sex - loss of libido
2) You feel during intercourse (much less common in men than women)
3) You are unable to feel aroused.
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Sexual Problem
