Sexual Dysfunction

Many people experience problems with intercourse at some point in their lives. This can mean a lack of desire, trouble getting or staying aroused, pain during sexual activity, or not feeling satisfied. These issues, known as sexual dysfunction, are more common than you might think, and they can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender.

Still, many people feel too embarrassed or ashamed to talk about it. In this section, let’s understand what sexual dysfunction actually is and what treatment options are available.

What Is Sexual Dysfunction?

Sexual dysfunction is anything that prevents you from feeling pleasure from intercourse. Not wanting to engage in sexual activities or not being able to enjoy it may be a sign of sexual dysfunction. It’s a common issue and highly treatable. Things such as health issues, stress, medication, or past sexual trauma can result in it.

Sexual dysfunction can happen at any point during the sexual response cycle. The sexual response cycle is a four-stage model of an individual’s response to sexual stimulation. It includes:

Excitement: This phase includes desiring sex and becoming sexually stimulated. It includes much of the foreplay before intercourse, a clitoris swelling, or a penis becoming erect.

Plateau: This is the phase before orgasm. Muscle tension, heart rate, and breathing intensify. A penis may discharge pre-cum (pre-ejaculate).

Orgasm: A sudden release of pleasure and sexual tension in your genitals. Ejaculation happens during orgasm.

Resolution: The period when a person calms down after orgasm. The body relaxes and the genital return to their normal state.

Examples Of Sexual Dysfunction

Medical professionals classify sexual dysfunction into four types:

Arousal disorders: Inability to become physically excited or aroused during sexual activity. You may feel a desire for intercourse, but your body does not respond. In men, this could mean they can’t get an erection.

Desire disorders: Lack of interest in intercourse. This may mean you have no interest in sexual activity.

Pain disorders: Pain during sexual intercourse makes yoy not want to have intercourse.
Orgasm disorders: Absence or delay of orgasm. Yoy may feel arousal and desire but be unable to orgasm.

How Common is Sexual Dysfunction?

Sexual dysfunction can affect anyone, although it’s more common among people over 40. It affects 30% and 40% of individuals at some point in their lives.

Symptoms

Some kinds of sexual dysfunction affect men more than women. Conversely, some types of sexual dysfunction affect women more than men.

In men:

• Difficulty getting and maintaining an erection for intercourse (erectile dysfunction).
• Delayed or absent ejaculation despite enough sexual stimulation.
• Inability to control the timing of ejaculation.

In women:

• Difficulty achieving orgasm.
• Vaginal dryness prior to and during sexual intercourse.
• Inability to relax your vaginal muscles enough to allow for intercourse.

Sexual dysfunction that affects anyone:

• Changes in hormones, such as low estrogen or low testosterone.
• Lack of interest in or desire for sex (low libido).
• Pain with intercourse (dyspareunia).
• Certain health conditions, treatments, or medications.
• Inability to become aroused.

Causes

There can be psychological and physical reasons for sexual dysfunction.

Psychological causes:

• Depression
• Stress or anxiety
• Marital or relationship issues
• History of sexual abuse
• Poor body image
• Concerns about your sexual performance

Physical causes

• Heart and vascular diseases.
• Chronic conditions such as kidney or liver failure.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Cancer
• Menopause
• Hormonal imbalances

Treatment

Health care professionals treat most types of sexual dysfunction by addressing the underlying psychological and physical problems. Other treatment options include

Medications

Sometimes medicines can affect your sexual health. Changing those medicines may help.

If hormone levels are low, doctors may suggest hormone pills, creams, or injections.

For men, drugs like Sildenafil, Vardenafil, Tadalafil, Udenafil, and Avanafil can improve erections.

For women, medicines like Clomiphene, Sildenafil, and Tadalafil may help boost sexual desire. Hormone therapy may also help women with low desire during or after menopause.

Mechanical aids (devices)

Men with erection problems may benefit from vacuum pumps or implants. Women can also use vacuum devices to improve blood flow and sensitivity. Vaginal dilators may help if the vagina narrows after menopause. Vibrators and similar devices can increase pleasure and make it easier to reach orgasm.

Sex therapy

A sex therapist can guide people or couples through sexual difficulties that doctors alone may not solve. Many therapists also help with relationship issues, making intimacy more enjoyable.

Behavioral treatments

These focus on changing unhelpful habits and trying techniques like self-stimulation to improve arousal and orgasm.

Psychotherapy (counseling)

Speaking with a trained counselor can help deal with past sexual trauma, anxiety, guilt, fear, or body image issues, factors that often affect sexual function.

Education and communication

Learning about sexual health can ease worries and boost confidence. Talking openly with your partner about your needs, likes, and concerns can remove barriers and build a healthier sex life

Prevention

You can’t prevent sexual dysfunction, but you can take steps to reduce its impact on your life. The first step is to understand amd recognize when it’s time to seek medical help. It may feel upsetting to accept help, but in the majority of cases, you did nothing to cause sexual dysfunction. Fortunately, most causes of sexual dysfunction are treatable.