Orgasmic dysfunction

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Male and female reproductive systems

Inhibited sexual excitement; Sex - orgasmic dysfunction; Anorgasmia

Orgasmic dysfunction is an inhibition of the orgasmic phase of the sexual response cycle. The condition is referred to as primary when the female has never experienced orgasm through any means of stimulation. The problem is called secondary if the woman has attained orgasm in the past but is currently nonorgasmic.

CAUSES, INCIDENCE, AND RISK FACTORS

Primary orgasmic dysfunction, wherein the woman has never experienced an orgasm, appears to characterize about 10% to 15% of women. Surveys generally suggest that somewhere between 33% to 50% of women experience orgasm infrequently and are dissatisfied with how often they reach orgasm.

Performance anxiety is believed to be the most common psychological cause of orgasm problems.

Some drugs may sedate and impair orgasmic responsiveness, including alcohol. SSRI antidepressants, including fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft), among others, are a very common cause of lack of orgasm, delayed orgasm, or unsatisfying orgasm in both women and men.

Infrequently, medical conditions that affect the nerve supply to the pelvis, such as multiple sclerosis, diabetic neuropathy, and spinal cord injury may be factors. Other possible contributors include hormonal disorders, and chronic illnesses that affect general sexual interest and health.

Negative attitudes toward sex related to childhood experiences may inhibit responsiveness, as may unresolved feelings associated with experiences of sexual abuse or rape.

If a woman used to reach orgasm regularly but is not doing so currently, the problem may be related to relationship strife or lack of emotional closeness, which may also cause low sexual desire.

Boredom and monotony in sexual activity may also contribute to secondary orgasmic dysfunction. Frequently, women are too shy or too embarrassed to ask for the kind of stimulation (and the timing of stimulation) that works best for them. This embarrassment can lead to dysfunction.