Sexual Disorders
Healthy and satisfying sex is an important element of overall well-being. Unfortunately, for the millions of Americans suffering from some type of sexual disorder, the consequences can be devastating.
Human sexuality is complex, and often a function of both physical and mental health.
Diagnosing sexual dysfunction can be as simple as talking to your doctor. However, successfully treating sexual dysfunction can be significantly more challenging. Successful treatment often requires resolving underlying health concerns as well as addressing psychological problems that may be negatively impacting a healthy sex life.
Talking about sex—and especially about sexual problems—can be embarrassing. But talking openly and candidly to your doctor is a first and necessary step to restoring sexual health.
So if you are experiencing any type of problems in your sex life, and especially if you find that those problems are undermining your health, your relationships, and your happiness, we encourage you to make an appointment to speak with your health care professional today.
What Does Sexual Dysfunction Mean?
Understanding sexual dysfunction requires understanding how healthy sex is supposed to work.
Sex involves four stages usually called the sexual response cycle: Excitement (including desire and arousal), plateau, orgasm, and resolution. In the course of a healthy sexual encounter, both individuals pass through all four phases, although it is important to note that for some people, especially women, the phases may not occur in this specific order.
Sexual dysfunction can arise in one or multiple phases of the sexual response cycle, thus preventing you from achieving a satisfactory sexual experience. Both men and women can suffer from any type of sexual dysfunction.
Sexual disorders are, in general, classified in four different ways.
Desire disorders: Also known as libido disorders, or “having a low libido”, desire disorders involve a lack of sexual desire or less interest in sex generally.
Arousal disorders: Patients with arousal disorder are interested in sex but find it difficult or even impossible to become physically aroused. In men, the most common form of arousal disorder is erectile dysfunction.
Orgasm disorders: Orgasm disorders involve either a delayed orgasm or the inability to achieve orgasm entirely. This type of dysfunction is a common problem for women but can also be problematic for men.
Pain disorders: If sexual intercourse is painful for any reason, it is categorized as a pain disorder. Pain during sexual activity can affect men and women alike, and is often the result of an underlying health concern or physical condition.
Can Sexual Dysfunction be Treated Successfully?
The first step in treating a sexual dysfunction is diagnosing the root cause.
In some cases, an underlying physical or medical condition may be undermining your sexual health. Diabetes, heart disease, hormonal imbalances, and neurological disorders are often associated with sexual health concerns. Unwanted sexual problems may even be a side effect of a particular medication you are taking to treat another problem.
However, sexual problems may also be caused by mental health concerns. Stress and anxiety can often undermine sexual health, as can relationship or marital problems. Attitudes about sex, depression, body image issues, alcoholism and drug abuse, and past sexual trauma can all play a role in sexual dysfunction as well.
Depending on each individual’s unique diagnosis, treatment usually involves one or more of the following different options:
Medication: For dysfunctions that are physical or medical in nature, medications may be an appropriate treatment option. In some cases, this may involve adjusting current medications to minimize sexually-related side effects. Some medications can be used to address hormonal imbalances in men and women.
For men, medications that regulate blood flow can be used to boost sexual function (sildenafil (Viagra®), tadalafil (Cialis®), vardenafil (Levitra®, Staxyn®), and avanafil (Stendra®) are the most common.)
For women, two medications have recently been approved by the FDA to address desire dysfunctions: flibanserin (Addyi®) and bremelanotide (Vyleesi®).
Mechanical aids: For certain physical conditions, a mechanical aid can be highly effective. For instance, penile implants may be effective in addressing erectile dysfunction in men. A dilator device can help women with pain disorder due to a narrowing of the vagina, while vibrators and other similar devices can help both men and women achieve orgasm.
Therapy: Psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, relationship counseling, and sex therapy can all be effective in treating mental health concerns at the root of some sexual problems. While the specific type of therapy will depend on why you are experiencing a sexual concern, successful treatment usually involves different types of therapy in conjunction.
For example, behavioral therapy can address specific behaviors—either individual or within a relationship—undermining a healthy sex life as well as introduce techniques such as self-stimulation for arousal and orgasm dysfunction. By incorporating behavioral therapy into marriage counseling and sex therapy, couples can work through sexual problems together while strengthening both physical and emotional bonds.
NEED HELP?
Collaborative Therapeutic Services (CTS) wants to help. We offer a variety of counselling and therapy services, hours, and service providers with diverse specializations. We offer evening & weekend appointments in office or by TeleHealth conferencing.
Have questions? Contact Us Here or Call 813-951-7346. Located in Tampa, Florida. Ask us about our new NEUROLEASE™ TREATMENT THERAPY - A cutting edge treatment for releasing toxic emotions.