Sexual Dysfunction: Biological Factors

Sexual dysfunction refers to problems that affect the ability to carry out normal sexual response, most typically, though not exclusively, with one’s partner. Traditionally, the sexual response cycle includes aspects of desire, arousal (psychological/subjective and physiological), and orgasm. Accordingly, sexual response may be disrupted by problems in any one or more of these areas. Furthermore, disruption of one part of the sexual response cycle may affect other parts of the cycle. Yet although conceptualized as distinct phases, in reality, these components are overlapping and interdependent. For example, a man who has problems with erectile failure or a woman who does not readily reach orgasm may “lose” his or her interest in sexual activity due to repeated “failures”—initiating and eventually perpetuating a cycle of negative feelings ...