Disorders of Sexual Interest
Desire and Arousal
Sexual Interest
The sexual response cycle consists of four phases: desire, arousal, orgasm, and resolution(Montgomery, 2008). If one of the phases isn't part of the cycle or is lacking, sex will not be as pleasant as it could and should be. Everyone deserves to have good sex!
The sexual dysfunctions are a set of disorders in which people have difficulty responding sexually or experiencing sexual pleasure(Nolen-Hoeksema, Pg. 366, 2014). Males and females can both experience sexual interest and desire/arousal disorders.
Signs and Symptoms
In men:
- Inability to achieve or maintain an erection suitable for intercourse (erectile dysfunction)
- Absent or delayed ejaculation despite adequate sexual stimulation
- Inability to control the timing of ejaculation (premature or retarded ejaculation)
In women:
- Lack of interest in or desire for sex
- Inability to achieve orgasm
- Inadequate vaginal lubrication before and during intercourse
- Inability to relax the vaginal muscles enough to allow intercourse
In men and women:
- Lack of interest in or desire for sex
- Inability to become aroused
- Pain with intercourse
(Cleveland, 2014)
Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder
Is this what your bed looks like at night? Not wanting to have sex anymore and you aren't sure why? It may be Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder. Talk to your doctor today!
Female Reasons
This chart shows a few different reasons why women may have sexual dysfunction. Anything from inability to achieve an orgasm, pain during sex, lack of pleasurable sex, trouble with lubrication, or just a lack of interest in sex. These are all issues that may be treatable after talking to your doctor. But you have to take that first step and ask!
Make Sense?
This chart shows why you may not be enjoying sex like you once have or think you should be. If sex is painful you aren't going to be aroused by sex or anything sexual because all you can think about is how painful sex is for you. If you're under a lot of stress you may not have the desire to have sex like you once did.
Treatments
There are so many treatment options. There are many different medications, several different types of therapy, knowledge and communication, and behavioral treatments. Talk to your doctor to see which treatment option is best for you! What are you waiting for? Talk to your doctor today so you can start enjoying your sex life again!
References
Cleveland. (2014, January 1). Diseases & Conditions. Retrieved from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic_An_Overview_of_Sexual_Dysfunction
Montgomery, K. (2008, June 1). Sexual Desire Disorders. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695750/
Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2014). Abnormal psychology. (6th ed). New York, NY: McGraw Hill Education.