Sexual Disfunction is the inability to reach sexual satisfaction or sexual excitation as a result of psychological or physical problems.

The most commom sexual disfunction in woman had been classified as frigidity (inability of a woman to achieve arousal or orgasm during sexual intercourse).

The term frigidity are no longer used as scientific classifications because it developed pejorative and misleading connotations; it has been replaced in the vocabulary of sex therapists by the general term hypogyneismus, the inability of a woman to obtain sexual satisfaction. However, frigidity remains in commun usage and describes a general coldness, ranging from lack of interest in affection to aversion to the act of sexual intercourse.

Likewise, female sexual response may be impaired by causes that are essentialy psychologicals, triggered by anxiety, emotional conflits and other stresses within the relationship.

The lay term frigidity encompasses three distinct problems recognized by sex therapists:

Below, we discuss briefly each one of these disfunctions.

Anorgasmy - or a lack of orgasm, is a very frequent problem. One should differentiate between females who do not become excitated and those who do not achieve orgasm. In most cases, anorgasmy is the result of years of inhibition - since females have been trained over the years to avoid yielding to the sexual impulse. In other cases, the female initially has no idea how to copulate effectively and simply lies passive, expecting the male to bring her to orgasm. Other females resist orgasm because the feeling of being swept away and losing control is frightening.

Anorgasmy is purely psychological in origin; few females lack the physiology necessary for orgasm.

Anorgasmy is treated by teaching coital techniques, removing inhibitions and by inducing orgasm through non-coital methods. Sexual problems are often acquired by the inability of the couple to communicate freely their feelings to one another.

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As with any other problems, sexual problems can be ameliorated only if the individuals concerned communicate effectively.

Hiposexuality

Sexual Pain Disorder

Dispaurenia - or painful coitus, is generaly physical rather than psychological. Some anxious and inexperienced females fear that they cannot accomodate a penis without being painfully stretched. This is a needless fear since the vagina not only enlarges and lubricates with excitation but also is highly elastic.

The most common problem in this disfunction is disparity in sexual desire. It is in some extent inescapable, since differences in the strenght of the sexual impulse and the ability to respond are based on neurophysiological differences.

Vaginismus - the pelvic muscles located in the outer third of the vagina undergo involuntary spasms when intercourse is attempted. Even the thought of penetration provokes this spasm.

The causes of vaginismus can be repeated episodes of pain-producing incidents over time causing a conditional response. Often the causes of the spasms is psychological. The prevalence of this conditions in cultures with more conservative views of sexuality, such as Ireland, may be higher - as high as 42% to 55% in studies carried out with two clinical samples. Often young girls have been told by parents that sex is dirty and should be avoided. Such girls may grow up to believe that sex is dirty, sinful, threatening and shameful. Bad and painful sexual experiences may also cause vaginismus.

The therapy includes basic principles of treatment of sexual dysfunctions take into consideration the following:

• Information/Education
• Behaviour and attitude change
• Elimination of anxiety
• Increase in Communication
• Change Definitive Sex Roles/Life Styles

According to Dr. V Atputharajah, the author of Virgin Wives, the majority of cases can be resolved within a period of six weeks.

References

Resources on the Internet

Sexual Dysfunction

Impotence

Sex Therapy On Line

Definition: Women who are indifferent or hostile to sexual intercourse, who have no response to sexual advances or stimulation, or who are unable to have an orgasm during sexual intercourse.

Common causes:

unskilled or uncaring partner communication problems with partner anxiety, depression, fear of pregnancy, and feelings of guilt and shame about sex often play a part in frigidity fear of pain, infection, or being pregnant a gynecological disease having deep-seated psychological problems

Note: There may be other causes of frigidity. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for frigidity, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Author: Dr. Silvia Helena Cardoso, PhD. Psychobiologist, master and doctor in Sciences by the University of São Paulo and post doctoral fellowship by the University of California, Los Angeles. Invited Professor and Associate Researcher of the Center for Biomedical Informatics, State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil.