What is Sexual Dysfunction?

What is Sexual Dysfunction?-Sexual Health News

Sexual dysfunction refers to any difficulty that a person or couple is experiencing with various aspects of sexual activity such as attraction, excitement, pleasure, and orgasm. Sexual dysfunction can cause extreme distress and can severely affect a person's quality of life.

The most common problem affecting men is erectile dysfunction, which usually has a physical cause. Psychological factors such as situational anxiety, however, may also affect male sexual function.

Some of the problems that cause sexual dysfunction in women include a lack of interest in sex, difficulty reaching orgasm, negative thoughts during sex and tightness due to dryness in the vagina and pain during sex.

Approach to sexual dysfunction

The main initial approach to sexual dysfunction is a personal as well as thorough physical and psychological evaluation of the couple. Physical problems such as erectile dysfunction can be treated using medication and psychotherapy can be used in cases where a psychological element is suspected.

Psychological elements that are noted include anxiety, guilt, inter-marital problems, abuse, stress, past history of sexual trauma, depression, and panic disorder. Physical factors include alcohol abuse, cigarette smoking, use of stimulants such as cocaine and heroin, and even a high caffeine intake.

The number of consultations sought for sexual dysfunction is very small as many people are reluctant to seek help. So people use Internet-based information about venereal disease to "self diagnose" and manage the problem.

Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and alcohol intake can help resolve some cases of erectile dysfunction and use drugs that include Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis. Another form of therapy is intracavern pharmacotherapy, which involves a vasodilator drug injected into the penis to induce an erection.

For women, a vacuum device is available that increases blood flow to the genitalia and clitoris.