Chapter 16 - Sexual Dysfunctions Flashcards
four main categories of sexual problems
intrapsychic, interpersonal/relational, cultural/psychological, organic
-fifth category, quality, can also be important
intrapsychic factors
origins of sexual problems might begin in early childhood observation based on early family interactions; parental silence about sex can send a signal that sex is taboo; even more discomfort if sexual abuse/assault in childhood
intrapsychic factors in adolescence and adulthood
low self esteem, fear of inadequacy, fear of pregnancy/STIs, can make is harder to anticipate and enjoy sexual experiences; performance anxiety may result from cultural expectations
interpersonal/relational factors
conflict resolution is the key difficulty in communicating productively; other difficulties include nonconsensual monogamy, jealousy, and distrust; being disappointed in sex is also a major factor
cultural/psychosocial factors
cultural mechanisms exist for teaching a given society’s sexual values (religious teachings, family teachings, school-based education, media)
religious teachings (cultural factors)
religions promote certain sexual values and promote/restrict some behaviours; multicultural canada does not have uniform sexual values rooted in just one religion
family-based teachings (cultural factors)
many children come to believe that sex is dirty/forbidden; parents avoid directly referencing genitals; parents often teach very little besides “where babies come from”
school-based education (cultural factors)
formal sex education is provincially regulated in canada; overall in CAN is conveys reproductive biology and how to avoid STIs; no/very little discussion of sexual feelings/desire/pleasure
media/misinformation (cultural factors)
many sources of misleading info are from pop media esp the internet (unrealistic body ideals and performance expectations)
some pop media myths about sex
real sex = intercourse, sexual satisfaction = orgasm, bigger is better, men always want sex, etc
organic factors
disease, disability, drugs can impact sexual function; cardiovascular disease can announce itself as erectile dysfunction and treatment can affect sexual arousal/lubrication
role of hormones (organic factors)
hypothyroidism, anemia, diabetes can contribute to low desire; sometimes issues after childbirth such as low iron, elevated prolactin (vaginal dryness), interrupted sleep
neurological disorders/CNS injuries (organic factors)
damage to CNS can affect sexual functioning and response; diabetes can reduce blood flow to genitals and eventually deteriorate nerve function
drug related (organic factors)
many meds have an adverse impact on sexuality ; street drugs and alcohol can affect sexual functioning
it is important to consider the ____ of sexual stimulation when diagnosing sexual disorders
quality/adequacy
sexual disorder
a problem with sexual response that causes a person mental distress or interpersonal difficulty; occur on a continuum of mild to severe; symptoms must occur for min. 6mo
male hypoactive sexual desire disorder
lack of interest in sexual activity
-no spontaneous thoughts/fantasies about sex, no interest in sexual activity, must cause distress or interpersonal difficulties
erectile disorder
inability to have or maintain an erection; more common in older men; caused by heart and vascular issues, low T, spinal injury; treated by therapy and/or drugs
premature ejaculation
male ejaculates too soon and feels he cannot control it; often psychogenic factors; could be malfunctioning ejaculatory reflexes or hypersensitivity; very few seek treatment
delayed ejactulation
male cannot reach orgasm or orgasm is greatly delayed; can be psychogenic factors, drug use, spinal cord injury and more; treatment involves paying attention to how one actually feels during sex
female orgasmic disorder
female cannot reach orgasm or experiences them less intensely; caused by inexperience/misinformation (primary) and antidepressants/antianxiety drugs (secondary); treated by psychoeducational counselling
female sexual interest/arousal disorder
lack of/reduced sexual interest or arousal; often both psychological and physiological components (lack of subjective feeling of arousal, lack of vaginal lubrication); in addition to distress women must exhibit at least 3 of lack of interest/thoughts/desire or absent/reduced excitement/response to stimuli/physiological response
genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder
any one of four symptoms that typically occur together
-difficulty with penetration
-marked genital/pelvic pain during penetration
-fear of pain associated with penetration
-tension/tightening of pelvic floor muscles during penetration attempts
dyspareunia
painful intercourse; decreases enjoyment and frequency of intercourse
