Sexual Dysfunction: Classification, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Sexual Dysfunction: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women:

A low level of sexual desire and interest manifested by a failure or be responsive to a partner’s initiation of sexual activity.

Classification or Types of Sexual Dysfunction:

It includes the following:

1. Primary inhibited sexual desire-where the person never felt much sexual desire or interest.
2. Secondary inhibited sexual desire-where the person used to possess sexual desire, but no longer has interest.
3. Situational to the partner-where he/she has interest in other persons, but not towards the partner.
4. General-where he/she lacks sexual interest with anyone.
5. Extreme form-the person not only lacks sexual desire, but also finds sex repulsive, revolting and distasteful.
6. Discrepancy in sexual interest, levels between two partners, both of whom have interest levels within the normal range.

Psychosocial Causes of Sexual Dysfunction:

It presents in the below:

• Relationship problems, e.g. one partner does not feel emotionally intimate or close to their mate.
• Emotional struggles and conflicts.
• Communication difficulties.
• Lack of time, lack of affection.
• Restrictive upbringing concerning sex.
• Negative attitudes towards sex.
• Traumatic sexual experiences, e.g. incest, rape, sexual abuse.
• Dietary variations.
• Fatigue, insomnia.
• Erection problems, e.g. Impotence or erectile dysfunction.
• Persons whose marriages are lacking in emotional intimacy.

General Causes of Sexual Dysfunction:

Endocrine causes:

• Diabetes,
• Hyperthyroidism,
• Myxoedenma,
• Addison’s disease,
• Hyper-prolactinaemia.

Cardiovascular causes:

• Angina pectoris,
• Previous myocardial infarction.

Neurological causes:

• Pelvic autonomic neuropathy,
• Spinal cord lesions,
• Stroke.

Gynecological causes:

• Vaginitis,
• Endometriosis,
• Pelvic infections.

Respiratory causes:

• Asthma,
• Obstructive airways disease.

Assessment of sexual dysfunctions:

1. Define the problem.
2. Origin and course
3. Has the problem occurred with more than one partner?
4. Knowledge of sexual technique and anxiety about sex.
5. Social relationships with the opposite sex.
6. The couple’s social relationship (marital conflict).
7. Psychiatric disorders.
8. Physical illness and medical & surgical treatment.
9. Strength of sexual drive:

• Frequency of intercourse and masturbation,
• About sexual thoughts,
• Feeling of sexual arousal.

Physical examination:

• Hair distribution,
• Gynaecomastia,
• Blood pressure,
• Peripheral pulses,
• Ocular fundi,
• Reflexes,
• Peripheral sensation.

Specific examination:

1. Testicles
2. Prostate
3. Penis examination:

• Muscular,
• Vascular,
• Neurological.

Lab investigations:

• Blood sugar,
• Serum testosterone,
• Serum prolactin,
• Thyroid function test.

Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction:

It includes-

1. Individualized to the factors that may be inhibiting sexual interest.
2. Relationship enhancement work through marital therapy.
3. Psychotherapy and counseling towards conflict resolution, enhancement of loving relationship, overcome strained relationship.
4. Communication training, showing empathetic understanding.

More questions related to this article:

• Define sexual dysfunction.
• What is sexual dysfunctions in men and women?
• Classify sexual dysfunctions.
• Write down psychosocial causes of sexual dysfunctions.
• What are the general causes of sexual dysfunctions?
• How will you assess the clients with sexual dysfunctions?
• Enumerate the treatments of sexual dysfunction.