Sexual dysfunction refers to common sex problems that prevent normal response to sexual stimuli. Both males and females can experience all types of sexual arousal disorders. A number of different biochemical, physiological, psychological, or environmental agents can cause sexual health issues.

The human sexual health response cycle includes phases of desire, arousal, vasocongestion (genital swelling), orgasm, and satisfaction. A sexual arousal disorder can occur at any point in the sexual health response cycle. In fact, if you are able to identify the specific phase in which your sex problem is occurring, sexual health physicians are better equipped to provide you with sexual health treatment.  

There are two major categories of sexual arousal disorder. Sex problems can exist in desire and arousal, as well as orgasm and ejaculation. Additionally, there are two levels of sexual health issues: a primary and secondary sexual complaint. A primary sexual complaint is one in which a person has never experienced adequate functioning. For example, many men have never been able to achieve a penile erection sufficient for sexual penetration. A secondary sexual dysfunction, on the other hand, is a sex problem that comes about regardless of a lack of previous sexual dysfunction. In such cases, an older man previously in average sexual health may experience libido loss and difficulty with sexual stamina.

Sexual health problems dealing with desire and arousal include hypoactive sexual desire disorder and sexual aversion disorder. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder refers to a reoccurring deficiency or absence of sexual fantasies and sexual desires. On the other hand, sexual aversion disorder is a sexual problem, which causes a person to become extremely opposed to genital contact with another person. Both of these sexual health problems are psychological in nature.

Orgasm and ejaculation-related sexual disorders are experienced differently between the genders. Inhibited female orgasm is a delay or absence of orgasm response in women despite heightened sexual excitement. While it is normal that many women have difficulty reaching orgasm, this diagnosis is given to cases of extremity. Usually a woman with inhibited female orgasm persistently fails to experience orgasm despite adequate focus, intensity and duration of stimulation.

Orgasm-based sexual arousal disorders in males reflect two types of ejaculation control problems. These sexual problems include inhibited ejaculation and rapid ejaculation. Inhibited male orgasm is a condition in which ejaculation is continuously delayed or absent following sufficient sexual excitement and stimulation. This diagnosis is relatively infrequent and usually occurs during intercourse, but can also occur during masturbation.

Rapid or premature ejaculation is a typical male sex problem, especially prominent in younger men. Premature orgasm frequently comes about when with a new partner due to heightened excitement. Frequency of sexual activity and presence of anxiety are additional catalysts of early ejaculation.

A third category of sexual dysfunction includes sexual disorders that cause sexual pain. Also referred to as dyspareunia, this condition causes pain in the genitals during or immediately after intercourse. The condition is rare in males, but common in females.

If you are experiencing any of these sexual arousal disorders, please contact a Boston Medical sexual health center in your area.