Sexual Dysfunction: An Overview
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What is Sexual Dysfunction?

It is the inability to normally perform or enjoy sexual intercourse. Sexual Dysfunction is a condition when there is obscurity in a person to be sexually active like inability to get aroused, discomfort while having sex, difficult ejaculation or loss of interest in sex. It can be temporary, infrequent or regular and might happen because of a situation. It does not harm the body physically but if untreated can lead to psychological problems like Depression, Anxiety, low-self Esteem and more.

Who are affected?

Sexual Dysfunction can happen to any one and at any time in life; it can happen early in a person's sex life or after one has already experienced an enjoyable sex. It affects both the gender but the forms of problems are not the same; it is different in men and women.

The dysfunction in men includes:-

• Erectile dysfunction
• Premature or delayed Ejaculation
• Retarded Ejaculation and
• Ejaculatory incompetence.

The dysfunction in women includes:-

• Abnormal contraction in the muscles of the vaginal wall
• Feeling of pain during sexual intercourse.

Classification of Sexual Dysfunction:

Sexual Dysfunctions can be classified into four categories:

1. Sexual desire disorder:

In this there is decrease in libido which can happen to both the sexes. In case of women the loss of sexual desire is caused due to the lack of estrogen and the lack of testosterone in both male and female. Fatigue, pregnancy, aging, medications and psychological conditions like depression and anxiety are also some of the causes of sexual desire disorder.

2. Sexual pain disorder:

It is also known as Dyspareunia and Vaginismus. A large number of women are suffering from this disorder. This is a condition in which there is a painful sensation during and after penetration. This happens due to abnormal contraction in the vaginal wall and also due to insufficient lubrication.

3. Orgasm disorder:

When orgasm cannot be achieved or persistent delay or absence of orgasm during sexual intercourse it is known as orgasm disorder. Though the disorder can happen to both the sexes, it is more common in women. Medications used for the treatments like antidepressants are the main cause.

4. Sexual arousal disorder:

This is the most common form of sexual disorder where in a large number of both the sexes is suffering. It is known as erectile dysfunction in men and frigidity in women. The persistent occurrence of this disorder may cause a strong feeling of dislike and avoid sexual acts with partner. It is found that in men the condition is mostly physical and can be cured by medicines like Viagra, Levitra and cialis.There are many causes to this disorder like inability to get or maintain erection strong enough to perform sexual intercourse, lack of foreplay, lack of vaginal lubrication and medical problems like lack of blood flow in the genitals, chronic illness etc.

Sexual Dysfunction Treatments:

Treatment is a must for a person who suffers from sexual dysfunction. Though there is no permanent cure, all kinds of sexual dysfunction can be controlled and improved with treatment. There are many treatments available and the most common ones among them are:

• Counseling or psychotherapy like sex therapy.
• Prescription medicines like Sildenafil (Viagra) , Verdinafil (Levitra) and Cialis (Tadalafil),
• Botanical medicines and Nutritional supplementation can help in resolving the biochemical causes of erectile dysfunction.
• Taking of adrenal tonic like licorice, epimedium, eucommia and cuscuta can arouse the mind and increase sexual interest.
• Acupuncture, Yoga and Meditation,
• Massage and Aroma therapy,
• Anti-depressants like Clomipramine and fluoxetine for premature ejaculation,
• Papaverine and prostaglandin for erectile difficulties,
• Hormone replacement therapy (females)

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