sexual and gender disorders
pedophilic disorder
fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving sexual arousal from prepubescent or early pubescent children. May involve watching child pornography, fondling, or engaging in sexual intercourse with children. Develops in adolescence and most individuals with this disorder are immature. 2/3 of victims are female.
sexual dysfunction
problem with sexual response
cycle of sexual dysfunction
when erectile difficulties begin, men become fearful and worried during sexual encounter
nocturnal penile tumescence
A Penile Erection Occurring During Sleep, Usually During REM
vaginismus
A sexual dysfunction that involves recurrent or persistent involuntary spasms of the musculature of the outer part of the vagina, which can prevent a woman from having intercourse
gender dysphoria in children
a marked incongruence between one's experienced gender and their assigned gender for at least 6 months:must cause distress/impairment. Individual must meet 6 criteria.
female orgasmic disorder
a persistent delay in or absence of orgasm or experiencing orgasms of very low intensity for at least 6 months. It must cause distress. Affected by diabetes, postmenopausal changes, and multiple sclerosis.
spectator role
a state of mind that some people experience during sex, focusing on their sexual performance to such an extent that their performance and their enjoyment are reduced
transvestic disorder
also known as cross-dressing. Characterized by fantasies, urges, behaviors involving dressing in clothes of opposite sex as means of sexual arousal. Typical case is heterosexual male who began cross-dressing in childhood or adolescence. Can be confused with gender dysphoria.
exhibitionistic disorder
also known as flashing. Characterized by arousal from exposure of genitals in a public setting. Individual most often wants to provoke shock or surprise instead of initiating sexual contact. Most common in males and begins around age 18.
sexual desire dysfunction
caused by abnormality in hormone levels. Men and women may experience high levels of prolactin and low levels of testosterone.
four phases of human sexual response
desire, excitement, orgasm, and resolution. Sexual dysfunction happens during stages 1,2 or 3.
sexual masochism disorder
fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving the act or thought of being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer. Must be very distressed or impaired to warrant diagnosis.
female sexual interest/arousal disorder
female's interest in sexual activity is reduced or absent. May have reduced initiation and/or response to sexual activity, absent/reduced sexual pleasure during sexual activity, absent/reduced genital sensations during sexual activity. Must last for at least 6 months and cause distress.
orgasm phase
individual's sexual pleasure peaks and sexual tension is released as muscles in pelvic region contract rhythmically. In men, semen is ejaculated. In women, the outer third of the vaginal wall contracts.
desire phase
interest/urge to have sex, sexual fantasies, and sexual attraction to others.
male hypoactive sexual desire disorder
male lacks sexual thoughts/fantasies and desire for sex for a minimum of 6 months that causes distress to the individual. Prevalence of 1.8% for men between 16-44.
gender dysphoria in adults
marked incongruence between one's experienced gender and their assigned gender for at least 6 months: must cause distress/impairment. Must meet 2 criteria. More common in men than women (2:1). Individuals with this disorder often experience anxiety, depression, and have thoughts of suicide.
genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder
occurs more often in women than men. Involuntary contractions of the muscles of the outer third layer of the vagina.
male erectile disorder
persistent inability to attain or maintain an erection during sexual activity. Occurs in as much as 10% of the male population. Half of all adult men experience erectile difficulty during intercourse at least some of the time. Results from hormonal imbalances, vascular problems, certain medication, depression, performance anxiety (spectator role)
premature ejaculation
persistent reaching of orgasm and ejaculation within one minute of beginning sexual activity with a partner and before he wishes to for at least 6 months. It must cause distress. 30% of men experience early ejaculation at some time. May result from being young, sexually inexperienced, having anxiety, or having greater sensitivity/nerve conduction in penis.
fetishistic disorder
recurrent, intense sexual urges, sexually arousing fantasies/behaviors that involve the use of a nonliving object, often to the exclusion of all other stimuli More common in men than women
paraphilic disorder
repeated and intense sexual urges and fantasies towards socially inappropriate objects or situations
sexual sadism disorder
repeated or intense arousal from physical or psychological suffering of another individual. May be expressed through fantasies, urges, or behaviors. Individuals suffering from this disorder believe they have total control over the victim.
frotteuristic disorder
repeated or intense fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving touching/rubbing against a nonconsenting person. It is almost always a male: he usually fantasizes that a caring relationship is occurring with the victim. Usually begins in teenage years and disappears or declines around age 25.
start-stop procedure
sex therapy to alleviate premature ejaculation
sex therapy
short-term and instructive treatment for sexual dysfunction, not typically lasting longer than 15-20 sessions.
dyspareunia
stabbing sensation during sex
excitement phase
stage of human sexual response that includes changes in pelvic region, general physical arousal, increases in heart rate, muscle tension, blood pressure, and respiration
delayed ejaculation
the delay, infrequency, or absence of ejaculation during sexual activity that lasts for at least 6 months and causes distress. It was previously called male orgasmic disorder. Affected by substances that slow down the sympathetic nervous system, such as alcohol or blood pressure medications. Performance anxiety and previous masturbation habits may play a role (masturbating in a sock).
paraphilic disorder
unusual fantasies and sexual urges or behaviors that involve objects or situations outside of sexual norms. Diagnosable only when urges, fantasies, or behaviors cause significant distress/impairment.