Orgasmic dysfunction

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Male and female reproductive systems

Overview

Orgasmic dysfunction

Alternative Names:

Inhibited sexual excitement; Sex - orgasmic dysfunction; Anorgasmia
Information:

Orgasmic dysfunction is an inhibition of the orgasmic phase of the sexual response cycle. The condition is referred to as primary when the female has never experienced orgasm through any means of stimulation. The problem is called secondary if the woman has attained orgasm in the past but is currently nonorgasmic.

text continues below

CAUSES, INCIDENCE, AND RISK FACTORS

Primary orgasmic dysfunction, wherein the woman has never experienced an orgasm, appears to characterize about 10% to 15% of women. Surveys generally suggest that somewhere between 33% to 50% of women experience orgasm infrequently and are dissatisfied with how often they reach orgasm.

Performance anxiety is believed to be the most common cause of orgasm problems, and 90% or more of orgasm problems appear to be psychological in nature.

Some drugs may sedate and impair orgasmic responsiveness, including alcohol. SSRI antidepressants -- fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), among others -- are a very common cause of lack of orgasm, delayed orgasm, or unsatisfying orgasm in both women and men.

Infrequently, medical conditions that affect the nerve supply to the pelvis (such as multiple sclerosis, diabetic neuropathy, and spinal cord injury), hormonal disorders, and chronic illnesses that affect general sexual interest and health may be factors.

Negative attitudes toward sex related to childhood experiences may inhibit responsiveness, as may unresolved feelings associated with experiences of sexual abuse or rape.

If a woman used to reach orgasm regularly but is not doing so currently, the problem may be related to relationship strife or lack of emotional closeness, which may also cause low sexual desire.

Boredom and monotony in sexual activity may also contribute to secondary anorgasmia. Frequently, women are too shy or too embarrassed to ask for the kind of stimulation (and the timing of stimulation) that works best for them. This embarrassment can lead to dysfunction.

PREVENTION

Education about sexual stimulation and response, and healthy attitudes toward sex tend to minimize problems. The principle of taking responsibility for one's own sexual pleasure is also vitally important.

Couples who realize that they must verbally and nonverbally guide each other in providing the stimulation that feels best will undoubtedly experience this problem less frequently.