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Female
Sexual Dysfunction
Female
sexual dysfunction: An overview
 Female
sexual dysfunctions are usually defined by psychologists to fall within several
categories such as Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, Sexual Aversion Disorder,
Female Sexual Arousal Disorder, Female Orgasmic Disorder, Dyspareunia,
Vaginismus and Female Sexual Dysfunction Not Otherwise Specified. The female
sexual dysfunctions may be differentiated significantly from male sexual
dysfunctions in relation to their psychological component. Males have a much
higher preponderance of physical disease resulting in impotence, from such
physical conditions as kidney disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, alcoholism,
atherosclerosis, vascular disease and neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s,
which have been estimated to make up nearly 70 % of the cases of male impotence.
Fortunately, this has led to the development of effective medication treatments
such as Viagra, Cialis and Levitra , as well as herbal treatments to
remedy these organic cases of impotence, as well as
testosterone boosters to enhance the loss of testosterone as
males go through the aging process. Female sexual dysfunction is usually found
to have less of a physiological basis, and is more frequently related to
psychological issues such as dysfunctional relationships and high levels of
stress and depression.
Specific
Female Sexual Dysfunction Disorders:
Female sexual dysfunction includes female orgasmic disorder, female sexual
arousal disorder, vaginismus and inhibited sexual desire. Female sexual arousal
disorder refers to when there is an inhibition in a woman’s ability for arousal,
resulting in an inadequate sexual response during sexual activity. In order to
receive this diagnosis, the dysfunction must be significant rather than a minor
fluctuation in interest, which is an inherent part of human sexuality.
Another significant female sexual dysfunction is female orgasmic disorder, which
is when there is an impairment in the orgasmic component of the female sexual
response. This disorder applies when a woman has recurrent difficulties having
orgasm after normal sexual arousal. This diagnoses should only be given after
ruling out various factors which may impact upon orgasmic functioning such as
type and intensity of stimulation, and considering such factors as age and
experience.
Vaginismus is when there is recurrent or persistent involuntary spasms of the
musculature of the outer third of the vagina that interferes with sexual
intercourse. In most cases, sexual intercourse is possible but painful. The
woman is usually not aware of the vaginal spasms but may complain of physical
discomfort during intercourse rather than an inability to engage in it.
Inhibited sexual desire is not technically a sexual dysfunction, but is a
persistent, pervasive inhibition of sexual desire frequently caused by chronic
physical disease, hormone
deficiencies, depression, stress, relationship problems, alcoholism or kidney
failure. Many times there is both a diminished level of desire as well as a lack
of sexual fantasies. These individuals usually do not initiate sexual activity
and may only participate reluctantly when it is initiated by their sexual
partner.
In
Conclusion: Female Sexual Disorder
Fortunately, research continues to study ways to assist women with female sexual
dysfunction. While the desire components seem to be much more complex ,
psychological and relational, studies continue to consider the effects of
Viagra for Woman
as well as various herbal remedies
which are ingested orally and topical gels and creams
which stimulate the clitoral tissue, resulting in
increased blood flow and dilation of the blood vessels in the clitoral area,
resulting in more intense sexual arousal.
Paul
Susic MA Licensed Psychologist Ph.D Candidate (Health Psychology)
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