A sexual disorder refers to a problem with the sexual response that causes a person mental distress. There is a continuum of sexual functioning rather than categories (i.e. dysfunctional and normal). At first, psychoanalysis was the only available treatment but this was expensive and not always feasible.
A lifelong sexual disorder refers to a sexual disorder that has been present ever since the person became sexual. An acquired sexual disorder refers to a sexual disorder that develops after a period of normal functioning.
Sexual desire refers to an interest in sexual activity, leading the individual to seek out sexual activity or be pleasurably receptive to it. Desire often begins before sexual activity and leads people to initiate sex. However, responsive desire is also possible. The problem in desire disorders is often the discrepancy between a person’s desire and the partner’s desire rather than the absolute level of desire.
There are different desire disorders:
- Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HPDD)
This refers to a lack of interest. It includes a sharply reduced interest in sex or a lack of responsive desire. - Discrepancy of sexual desire
This refers to considerably different levels of sexual desire between partners.
There are also other sexual dysfunctions:
- Female sexual interest/arousal disorder
This refers to a lack of interest in sexual activity and absent or reduced arousal during sexual interactions. - Female sexual arousal disorder
This refers to a lack of response to sexual stimulation. It involves both a psychological and physiological component and the disorder becomes increasingly more common in women during and after menopause. - Erectile disorder
This refers to the inability to have an erection or maintain one that is satisfactory for intercourse.
The female sexual interest/arousal disorder was merged from the female low sexual desire disorder (i.e. hypoactive desire disorder) and female arousal disorder (i.e. female sexual arousal disorder). During the menopause, oestrogen levels tend to decrease which, subsequently, leads to a decrease in vaginal lubrication. The prevalence of erectile disorder is less than 10% of men under 40 and 30% of men in their 60s. Psychological reactions to erectile dysfunction may be severe (e.g. shame).