Abstract
Sexual disorders refer to any physical or mental conditions that causes disturbance to the normal functioning of the body, thus preventing one from desiring or enjoying sex. Both men and women suffer from sexual disorders, albeit in varying degrees. Common causes of sexual disorders in both men and women include sex related trauma, depression, low self-esteem, drug abuse, and medical conditions. Sexual disorders belong to four major categories, namely sexual desire disorders, arousal disorders, orgasm disorders, and sexual pain disorders.
Under normal circumstances, sexual activity should be pleasurable and not painful. Experts argue that people with sexual disorders should not be worried because they are numerous methods used in treating the condition. Some of the approaches used include therapy, counseling, and genital surgeries among others. Talking to ones sexual partner is an effective strategy of avoiding the side effects of sexual disorders in relationships and marriages.
Introduction
Sexual disorders are a common phenomenon that professionals in the health care industry deal with on a regular basis. According to experts, a sexual disorder refers to any physical or mental condition that causes disturbance to the normal functioning of the body, thus preventing one from desiring or enjoying sex (Grohol, 2008). In addition, they argue that someone is considered to have a sexual disorder if they experience pain and distress during copulation for more than six months.
People who suffer from this condition often complain about a strained sexual life characterized by lack of desire or an unsatisfied partner. Psychologists argue that sexual disorders are a common causative factor in failed relationships and broken marriages across the world. Studies have established that someone can experience the effects of a sexual disorder at any time that may include before or during a sexual activity (Zorn, 2013).
Sexual disorders are common in both men and women, albeit in different degrees. Experts warn that a sexual disorder does not necessarily mean that something is wrong with someone. However, it denotes occasional changes in the body that can suddenly change one’s desire for copulation or response to sexual arousal.
Some of the common causes of sexual disorders in both men and women include sex related trauma, depression, low self-esteem, drug abuse, as well as medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease (Grohol, 2008).
Discussion
Studies have established that sexual disorders are of different kinds, magnitudes, and occur at different times of an individual’s life. Experts argue that although both men and women can experience sexual disorders at any stage of their lives past puberty, chances are often higher as someone gets older (Zorn, 2013). This condition entails challenges faced by individuals in regard to their sexual identity, performance, and aim (Grohol, 2008).
Sexual disorders can easily cause anxiety among couples if they the problems keep happening and they fail to address them on time. There are numerous types of sexual disorder that affect both men and women. Examples of sexual disorders in men include erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low libido, and painful ejaculations (Grohol, 2008).
Examples of sexual disorders in women include low libido, difficulty reaching orgasm, vaginal dryness, and negative thoughts during copulation among others (Grohol, 2008). All these types of conditions that affect both men and women belong to four major categories (Zorn, 2013).
Sexual desire disorders
This condition entails challenges involving the absence or lack of desire by a man or woman to engage in copulation. According to experts, the inclination to want is one of the main drivers of sex. In the field of health care professionals, this condition is referred to as low libido (Mandal, 2014). Sexual urge in both men and women is triggered by certain hormones that are excreted by the body.
Sexual desire disorder in men is characterized by low levels of a hormone called testosterone, while in women it is denoted by low excretion of a hormone called estrogen (Mandal, 2014). Experts argue that low libido can be a problem experienced out of normal circumstances or towards one’s sexual partner.
Some of the causative factors of this disorder include depression, performance anxiety, medication, pregnancy, fatigue, and aging among others (Zorn, 2013). Experts warn that most of these causes are not empirically tested, but merely beliefs of psychiatrists.
Arousal disorders
Sexual problems in this category entail challenges related to an individual’s ability to respond when aroused sexually. One of the common symptoms of an individual suffering from this disorder is aversion to any form of contact (Mandal, 2014). In men, this disorder is characterized by erectile dysfunction, where one often experiences partial erection or none at all. Some men with this problem can have a full erection once in a while but cannot maintain it for long.
Men who have had this problem also complain about not gaining any pleasure from copulation (Zorn, 2013). Another type of arousal disorder in men is premature ejaculation. This is when one ejects semen almost immediately after penetration, mostly in less than two minutes.
In females, this disorder is characterized by vaginal dryness, where the epithelial duct fails to get wet and making it hard for penetration to occur. Some of the causes of this disorder include medical reasons such as low flow of blood to the genitals and chronic diseases such as stroke (Mandal, 2014). Experts argue that attraction between sexual partners can also contribute to this disorder.
Orgasm disorders
This problem is characterized by relentless delays before one reaches climax. In some cases it involves the complete absence of orgasm (Mandal, 2014). Pain during ejaculation by men is also considered an orgasm disorder. Although there are no specific causes of this disorder, experts believe the problem involves medical, physical, and psychological factors (Zorn, 2013).
The mind is considered as the biggest sexual organ. Therefore, having negative thoughts or absent-mindedness during copulation can easily lead to delayed orgasm or lack of it.
Sexual pain disorders
Problems in this category involve situations when one experiences pain during copulation. Normally, sexual activity should be pleasurable and not painful. This disorder is common among women compared to men. This problem is caused by the dryness of the vagina, which makes it hard for the man to penetrate (Mandal, 2014). Vaginal dryness in women happens due to factors such as lack of arousal, sexual boredom, as well as body changes caused by processes such as climacteric, lactating, maternity, and use of contraceptives (Zorn, 2013).
Experts also claim that sexual pain disorder can be caused by failure of the muscles in the vaginal wall to relax, even when epithelial duct is well lubricated. Failure of the vaginal muscles to relax is commonly associated with past sexual trauma because the woman tends to feel scared every time they engage in copulation (Mandal, 2014). Sexual pain disorders also happen to men, albeit in a lesser magnitude compared to that in women.
Pain for men during copulation happens when someone maintains an erection for a very long time, thus becoming painful (Zorn, 2013). Such a prolonged erection is caused by poor flow of blood into the penis causing some of it to be trapped. Experts advise that this problem should be treated as soon as it is discovered because it can easily lead to a victim loosing the ability to have an erection forever (Mandal, 2014).
Conclusion
Sexual disorders are one of the many challenges that professionals in the health care industry and people in relationships deal with on a regular basis. Sexual disorders involve any problems associated with any part of the sexual process. Premature ejaculation, vaginal dryness, depression, anxiety, and exhibitionism are some of the notable symptoms of sexual disorders. Causes of the various types of sexual disorder are mostly triggered by mental, physical, psychological, and medical factors.
Experts argue that people with sexual disorders should not be worried because they are numerous methods used in treating the condition. Some of the approaches used include therapy, counseling, and genital surgeries among others.
In order to avoid suffering any of the sexual disorders, experts advise people to stop using all types of drugs, and focus on building their body muscles by taking foods that provide the body with Vitamin C. People suffering from sexual disorders should also follow all the prescriptions given by their physicians, as well as talking to their sexual partners every time one experiences a disturbance.
References
Grohol, J. (2008). Sexuality and Sexual Disorders. Web.
Mandal, A. (2014). Types of Sexual Dysfunction. Web.
Zorn, K. C. (2013). Sexual Problems in Men. Web.