According to research, one in three people experience at least one sexual dysfunction at some point in their sexual life. Studies conducted in different societies and cultures provide similar results regarding the frequency of sexual dysfunction. Vaginismus and sexual desire disorders are more common in women from a social segment where sexuality is forbidden, there is no sexual education, sexuality is perceived as a taboo, and virginity is highly valued, and sexual desire and ejaculation disorders are more common in men than in segments where sexual freedom is perceived more broadly. Again, premature ejaculation is seen in men with insufficient sexual experience; various orgasm difficulties are more common in women than in other segments.
Types of Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction can be observed in different ways in men and women. Sexual dysfunctions are classified as problems with sexual desire/stimulation, arousal, orgasm and pain during sexual intercourse. The most common sexual dysfunctions are as follows:
Erection problems (delayed erection, inability to achieve erection);
Orgasm problems in women (inability to achieve orgasm);
Problems with sexual desire/stimulation in women (such as lack or absence of sexual interest, absence of sexual thoughts or fantasies, lack of satisfaction/excitement during sexual intercourse);
Feeling pain/aching during sexual intercourse (pain/aching during sexual intercourse, a feeling of intense fear, vaginismus: tension and contraction in the muscles during sexual intercourse, etc.);
Decreased sexual desire/desire in men (absence of sexual thoughts and desire);
Premature ejaculation (observed approximately one minute after sexual intercourse);
Dysfunction observed in relation to substance or medical treatment
Causes of Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction is affected by physical, psychological and environmental factors.
Physical factors include hormonal problems, chronic diseases (cardiovascular circulation problems, diabetes, etc.), substance and alcohol use. In some cases, medications used for medical treatment are also known to negatively affect sexual function.
Anxiety, feeling anxious during intercourse (stress, anxiety about sexual performance, anxiety about body image, dissatisfaction with one’s body, feeling of pain, feeling guilty, etc.), depression, and previous traumatic sexual experiences (harassment, sexual assault) are also among the important psychological and emotional factors affecting sexual dysfunction.
Environmental and social factors include inadequate sexual education and lack of information, society’s approach to sexuality, prejudice/taboo, and traditions that shape our sexual behavior.
Intervention for Sexual Dysfunction
The use of sexual therapy, behavioral therapies and medical treatment is quite common in sexual dysfunction. In sexual dysfunctions that occur due to medical treatment, hormonal supplements or various medications are used to eliminate the side effects of the treatment. In some cases, surgical intervention is also performed (erection problems in men or genital area problems in women).
Sex therapy provides very effective results for many couples experiencing sexual dysfunction. Through behavioral interventions and various techniques, it is aimed to provide skills that will strengthen the relationship, especially in problems related to arousal and orgasm, to eliminate anxiety in situations where anxiety occurs, and to establish a healthy interaction between couples.
