What is sexual dysfunction?

When you have difficulties with your sexual life or with your intimate relationship, professionals call it ‘sexual dysfunction’.

There are four main areas that affect both men and women:

1. Desire disorders - lack of interest in having sex or participating in intimate activity. Such difficulties sometimes evolve due to desire differences between partners, when one of you is less interested in sex and/or intimacy than the other.
2. Arousal disorders - when you feel that you can't respond physically and emotionally to sexual stimulations or you get aroused but can’t sustain it. Men who have arousal disorders can experience difficulties in getting an erection suitable for intercourse. Others may get a good erection, but lose it before they reach their orgasm. These problems are known as ‘erectile dysfunction’.
3. Orgasmic disorders - women who can't have an orgasm are said to have orgasmic difficulties, also known as ‘anorgasmic’ or ‘preorgasmic’. If men are unable to reach orgasm, this is known as ‘inhibited ejaculation’ or ‘retarded ejaculation’. If they are unable to control their orgasm, and they come too soon, this is known as ‘premature ejaculation’ or ‘rapid ejaculation’.
4. Sexual pain disorders - sexual pain disorders are divided into three main categories:
   • dyspareunia- pain with attempted or complete vaginal entry and/or penile-vaginal intercourse
   • vaginismus– inability to have any form of vaginal penetration, including sexual penetration or insertion of tampons
   • other pain-related disorders- pain due to medical conditions such as infections, inflammatory conditions, surgery for prolapse or incontinence etc.

What causes sexual dysfunction?

There are many causes of sexual dysfunction, the most common being:

• medical conditions, such diabetes, high blood pressure or hormonal changes
• medications, such as antidepressants
• alcohol
• vaginal infections
• depression, anxiety, unhappy relationships, abuse (physical, mental and sexual in the past or present)
• temporary changes in sexual activity due to events such as divorce, menopause, childbirth, death of a loved one, and retirement
• burn-out and a stressful life - job dissatisfaction or being tired as a result of a heavy workload or looking after your family - can affect the ability to initiate or perform sexual activity and may reduce your desire for sex.