Male and Female Sexual Arousal Disorder

Introduction

Desires, fantasies, autoerotic acts, and the quest of partners to meet sexual demands are all factors that influence human sexual behavior. The way the body reacts to sexual cravings can be involuntary at times, both psychologically and physically.

What Does It Mean to Have a Sexual Arousal Disorder?

There are several stages to the sexual response. A variety of models have been presented to explain a sexual answer. Kaplan proposed a variation on the Masters and Johnson model, which divided the sexual cycle into four stages:

D - The desire phase.

E - The excitation phase.

O - The orgasm phase.

R - The resolution phase.

Sexual dysfunctions are any changes in the cycle or the sequence of events. Sexual arousal disorders are disorders that are related to the phase of excitation.

What Are the Most Prevalent Male and Female Sexual Arousal Disorders?

Both men and women suffer from sexual arousal issues. In men, erectile dysfunction is the most frequent sexual arousal problem, whereas, in women, persistent sexual arousal syndrome is the most common sexual arousal condition.

What Is Impotence or Male Erectile Disorder?

An average male sexual function requires,

• An intact libido.

• A rigid erection.

• Detumescence (the phase during which the stimulated male genital organ returns to its non-excited state or vice versa).

• Ejaculation at the right time.

What Is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction or disorder (ED) refers to a condition in which the male reproductive organ fails to stay erect or maintain an adequate erection for satisfactory intercourse.

What Do Signs and Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction or Impotence Look Like?

In erectile dysfunction, the erection is insufficient for a satisfying sexual experience. Dysfunction can occur in one of the following forms:

• During the early stages of making love, the erection is complete, but it fades as intercourse is attempted, even before ejaculation.

• Erections do happen, but only when intercourse is not a consideration.

• There is only a partial erection, which is insufficient for intercourse (persistent for six months or above).

• There is no evidence of penile detumescence.

Any of the symptoms mentioned above, or a combination of them, indicates erectile dysfunction.

Is There a Spectrum of Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction can be of the following types:

Primary: Primary type of erectile dysfunction occurs from the very first sexual encounter.

Secondary: In the secondary type, erectile dysfunction occurs after a period of normal function.

Situational: Here, the individual cannot have an erection under certain circumstances.

What Factors Contribute to Impotence or Erectile Dysfunction?

A variety of factors causes erectile dysfunction. The following are a list of things that play a role in the same:

1. Psychogenic Causes: Physical, psychological, and vascular variables influence sexual desire. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by an illness that affects a person's mental health or throws them off track. Below are a few examples:

• Performance anxiety.

• Relationship problems and conflicts.

• Loss of attraction towards a partner.

• Depression, anxiety, fatigue, guilt, stress, and marital discord lead to depression and anxiety disorders.

• Sexual abuse in childhood.

• Widower's syndrome (depression due to loss of spouse).

• Fear of contracting STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).

2. Vascular and Neurogenic Causes: Nerve damage that regulates sexual stimulation and response might make it challenging to achieve a hard enough erection to engage in sexual activity. Damaged blood arteries might potentially contribute to erectile dysfunction by reducing blood flow. Here are a few examples:

• Atherosclerosis.

• Hypertension.

• Trauma/injury.

• Alzheimer's disease.

3. Hormonal Cause: Conditions such as hypogonadism cause decreased secretion of testosterone, a hormone in males responsible for sex drive and overall sexual development.

4. Erectile Dysfunction: Due to the Use of Recreational Drugs: Continuous or long-term term use of recreational drugs such as nicotine, cannabis, ecstasy is associated with vasoconstriction that can cause erectile disorder or prolonged erection (reported cases upto 18 hours).

5. Drugs/ Medications: Drugs that influence sexual function include antidepressants, antipsychotics, and diuretics.

What Is the Most Effective Way to Deal With Erectile Dysfunction?

The most effective treatment is to eliminate the source of the problem. Here is an algorithm generally followed in the treatment of erectile dysfunction:

• General Measures: The general measures such as weight reduction, cessation of smoking, and lifestyle changes that contribute to overall health must be implemented.

• Psychosexual Therapy: Even if the cause of erectile dysfunction is physical, psychosexual therapy can help.

• Drugs: Drugs such as Sildenafil are used to treat erectile dysfunction.

• Vacuum Devices: These devices can be used to increase circulation.

• Surgical Penile Prosthesis: Semi-rigid or inflatable penile prosthesis can be given when the above treatment modalities fail.

What Exactly Is Female Sexual Arousal Disorder?

Female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) is a medical condition wherein a female has no shallow interest in sex. A sexual arousal disorder is manifested as a lack of vaginal lubrication and labia tumescence.

What Do the Signs and Symptoms of Female Sexual Arousal Disorder Look Like?

• A woman cannot engage in sexual activities in the way she desires.

• Dysfunction is common, although it can sometimes be absent.

• For roughly six months, dysfunction has been apparent.

• There is no underlying medical ailment or disorder that is causing the dysfunction.

• Pain during intercourse.

• Persistent bleeding after intercourse.

What Factors Contribute to Female Sexual Arousal Disorder?

The factors contributing to female sexual arousal disorder(FSAD) are classified into physical causes and psychological causes:

Physical Causes:

• Circulatory or neurological disorders.

• Conditions such as diabetes and anemia.

• Menopause.

• Post-baby coolness - Extreme low libido after childbirth.

Psychosocial Causes:

• Impacts of events during childhood and adolescence such as sexual abuse.

• Stress.

• Hyper-realistic expectations.

• Fatigue.

• Depression.

• Relationship conflicts.

What Treatments Are Available for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder?

• Psychosexual Therapy: Women are taught to have realistic expectations by their therapists and are coached to maintain a sensate focus. There are three levels of touching: nonsexual, sexual, and intercourse.

• Lubricants can be utilized to create a pleasurable and pain-free experience.

• Medications like Sildenafil are given out.

• Hormone replacement therapy has been demonstrated to be effective in postmenopausal women.

• Increased circulation and genital tumescence can be brought about by using a clitoris hand pump.

Conclusion

Both men and women suffer from sexual arousal issues, which can be very stressful. Even if one of the partners has a sexual arousal disorder. It affects the partnership; therefore, early detection of such issues can help better manage the illness. According to the research findings, men are more affected by sexual arousal issues than women. This could be because women are unaware of the physiological changes due to more significant vasodilation during excitement. As a reason, even minor alterations such as pain or bleeding after a sexual encounter or vaginal drying should not be overlooked.