The 10 types of Sexual Dysfunctions (causes, symptoms and treatment)

We live in the context of a society that has created a falsely perfect image of what sex is and where, despite how ironic it is taking into account the aforementioned and the fact that we live in the 21st century, everything related to sexuality is still surrounded by many taboos. We have a hard time talking openly about sex.

All this, together with the psychological factors intrinsic to the person, can make our relationship with sex become something unhealthy that causes us discomfort, either due to ignorance, anxiety, nerves or fear of not living up to expectations that, incorrectly, we believe that everyone else in the world does.

And it is precisely in this context that the protagonists of today's article come into play: sexual dysfunctions. Some disorders that prevent a person from enjoying a full sexual life due to problems in any of the stages (desire, arousal or orgasm) of sex, thus affecting the sexual relationship with the partner and with oneself.

Now, as we know perfectly well, there are many different types of sexual dysfunctions, each one having a particular clinical and psychological basis. And it is precisely for this reason that, in today's article, hand in hand with the most prestigious scientific publications and with the will that you find answers to all the questions you may have about it, we are going to investigate the characteristics of the main classes of sexual dysfunctions.

What are sexual dysfunctions and how should they be treated?

As we said, sexual dysfunctions are disorders that prevent a person from enjoying a full sexual life due to problems in some of the phases of sexual intercourse, interfering in sex through an affectation in the processes of desire, excitement, orgasm or resolution. They affect both men and women and at any age. And considering the importance of a fulfilling sex life, it is important to know how to address these issues.

The vast majority of times, these sexual dysfunctions have a psychological origin. But not always. Therefore, before starting a psychotherapeutic approach, it is important to rule out other medical, physiological or derived causes, for example, from the consumption of certain medications or certain drugs. In case these causes are ruled out, we will have to start investigating the psychology of the person.

Needless to say the best way to address these sexual dysfunctions of psychological origin is by putting ourselves in the hands of a psychologist, with whom the person can inquire into the factors that may have influenced the appearance of sexual dysfunction.

Thus, possible problems of anxiety, poor communication with the partner, sexual disinterest in the routine, work stress, grief over the loss of a loved one, low self-esteem, complexes with one's own body, high self-demand, depression, poor sexual education will be investigated. during youth, lack of information about sexuality, bad sexual experiences from the past, wanting to show a lot of experience, insecurities, trauma associated with sexual abuse ...

As we can see, there are many factors that, along with many other biological, psychological, hormonal and physiological aspects, can determine the appearance of sexual dysfunction. Therefore, being willing to speak openly (and if you are a stable couple, face the situation together), have patience and follow the psychologist's guidelines, is of vital importance to resolve these dysfunctions and recover (or have for the first time ) a fulfilling sex life.

What kinds of sexual dysfunctions are there?

Once we have understood what sexual dysfunction is and how, in the vast majority of cases, they require a therapeutic approach through psychotherapy, it is time to immerse ourselves in what has brought us together here today: the different types of sexual dysfunctions.

Each of them has different manifestations, specific causes and, therefore, a need for specific treatment. Therefore, although we can give you notions, it is best that you put yourself in the hands of a specialist. With that said, let's see what kinds of sexual dysfunctions exist.

1. Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a disorder of sexual arousal in men that consists of the inability to get an erection, maintain it over time or make it firm enough like to be able to have sexual relations.

Its incidence stands at 10%, with the majority of cases diagnosed after 40 years of age. Statistics indicate that it is the sexual dysfunction that is consulted the most, representing 48% of the consultations about sexual dysfunctions.

2. Premature ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is a male orgasm disorder that represents the most common sexual dysfunction among men, affecting 1 in 3 with greater or lesser intensity. It is estimated that 70% of men have experienced it at some point.

It is about the disorder through which ejaculation occurs earlier than desired, with a sudden and anticipated expulsion of semen without being able to control it. Premature ejaculation is considered when it occurs within 1 minute of the start of sexual activity.

3. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HDSD) is a type of sexual dysfunction through which the person has little or no interest in sex and this disinterest worries the patient. Do not respond to the sexual advances of the partner, do not have sexual fantasies, avoid sex ...

There are many signs of this disorder. And although it is totally normal that we have times when we have less interest in sex, we talk about TSDH when this decrease in sexual interest is persistent for at least six months.

4. Anorgasmia

Anorgasmia is a female orgasm disorder that consists of the inability, difficulty or delay in reaching orgasm during sexual intercourse. That is, it is a sexual dysfunction that affects women and that is based on not having orgasms, taking a long time to reach it, having little intense orgasms, etc. It is estimated that the incidence is between 5% and 40%, depending on where we put the scale.

5. Vaginismus

Vaginismus is a pain disorder associated with sexual dysfunction that affects women and consists of difficulties in having sexual intercourse due to pain and discomfort caused by an involuntary muscle contraction of the vagina. It can make penetrative intercourse difficult or even impossible.

6. Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is a pain disorder associated with sexual dysfunction that affects both men and women and consists of discomfort or pain in the genital region before, during or after intercourse. This can range from minor irritation to deep pain in the genitals and is often linked to problems with vaginal dryness or disorders in these genital organs.

7. Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is a disorder that is based on the aches or pains in the vulva, the area around the opening of the vagina, which occur chronically for at least three months and have no identifiable cause.

This pain can become so intense that having sex becomes unthinkable, hence it is also considered a sexual dysfunction. This vulvar pain can be treated through medications, exercises to relax the pelvic muscles, and even surgery.

8. Disorder of female sexual arousal

The female sexual arousal disorder is a type of sexual dysfunction that affects women and is based on the partial or total failure of the vaginal lubrication process. This situation makes intercourse difficult and even impossible, as maintaining correct lubrication of the vagina is essential so that penetration can be carried out correctly and without pain.

9. Aversion to sex

Aversion to sex is a type of sexual desire disorder that is based on sexual rejection, an irrational fear of sexual intercourse, or extreme repulsion towards sex. Thus, it could be understood as a "sex phobia", since the person with this sexual dysfunction exhibits many physiological reactions and unpleasant psychological factors when having sexual contact and even imagining it. It appears in both men and women, but it is a relatively rare disorder. Intense, persistent and recurrent rejection of sex. This is the basis for this sexual dysfunction.

10. Delayed ejaculation

Delayed or delayed ejaculation is a type of orgasm disorder, specifically a male orgasmic dysfunction that is based on the absence or abnormal delay in the orgasm of the man. It is not that there are problems in pleasure, but there are problems in completing sexual intercourse, that is, to ejaculate.

Thus, it takes a long time (so long that sometimes the couple gives up) for the man to climax and release the semen. There is no specific time that determines it, but we generally talk about this ejaculation deterioration when it takes more than 30 minutes to reach orgasm.