Sexual Dysfunction & Disorders Flashcards
How does human sexuality evolve throughout life?
Human sexuality is complex and develops from conception, evolving through the lifespan, influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors.
What is the role of the sexual response system in human sexuality?
The sexual response system is an involuntary nervous system process active from birth, shaping innate sexual feelings and behaviors.
How do conditioning and social/cultural norms influence sexual feelings?
Sexual feelings can be shaped by conditioning, as well as by social and cultural norms that dictate what is considered acceptable behavior.
What is the natural human tendency related to sexuality?
Sexual curiosity is natural, and humans are designed for intimacy and connection.
What does Jack & Judy Balswick’s Interactive Developmental Model emphasize?
Sexual development is influenced by biological factors (e.g., genetics, temperament), psychosocial factors (e.g., family dynamics, cultural context), and decision-making.
How do cultural and social factors impact sexual development?
Culture affects sexual values, partner selection, age of consent, and social factors like media portrayal, economic status, and racial injustice.
What are the three levels in the Multi-Dimensional Model of Sexual Development?
The three levels are societal/cultural, relational, and individual.
What factors are considered at the societal/cultural level of sexual development?
Factors include systems (e.g., religious, political), norms (e.g., gender roles), and media depictions of sexuality.
How does the relational level of sexual development impact individuals?
The relational level includes family dynamics, attachment styles, communication, and boundaries within relationships.
What are the biological and identity-related factors at the individual level?
Biological factors include hormones and the nervous system, while identity involves embodiment, experiences, and self-agency.
What are the stages of the Masters & Johnson Sexual Response Cycle?
The stages are: desire, arousal, orgasm, and resolution.
What systems are involved in the Masters & Johnson Sexual Response Cycle?
The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) facilitates arousal, while the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) manages orgasmic response.
What is Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder?
It refers to low interest or arousal in sexual activity in females.
What is Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder?
It is characterized by a persistent deficiency in sexual desire in males.
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to maintain an erection during sexual activity.
What is Female Orgasmic Disorder?
It involves difficulty or inability to achieve orgasm in females.
What is Premature Ejaculation?
It is the condition where ejaculation occurs sooner than desired, often before or shortly after penetration.
What is Delayed Ejaculation?
Delayed ejaculation refers to a delay or absence of ejaculation despite sufficient sexual stimulation.
What is Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder?
This disorder involves pain, fear, or tension during intercourse, often leading to avoidance of sexual activity.
What are the key characteristics of Paraphilic Disorders?
These include atypical sexual interests such as pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, frotteurism, and fetishism.
What is Pedophilic Disorder?
It involves sexual attraction to prepubescent children.
What is Exhibitionistic Disorder?
It involves arousal from exposing one’s genitals to unsuspecting individuals.
What is Voyeuristic Disorder?
It involves arousal from watching unsuspecting individuals engage in sexual activities or undress.
What is Frotteuristic Disorder?
It involves touching or rubbing against a non-consenting person for sexual arousal.
What is Fetishistic Disorder?
It involves sexual arousal from specific objects or body parts.
What is Sexual Masochism Disorder?
It involves deriving sexual pleasure from being hurt, humiliated, or made to suffer.
What is Sexual Sadism Disorder?
It involves deriving sexual pleasure from inflicting pain or humiliation on others.
What is Transvestic Disorder?
It involves sexual arousal from cross-dressing.
What is Sexual Addiction or Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB)?
While not included in the DSM, it refers to sexual behavior driven by anxiety or used as a coping mechanism, leading to distress or impairment.
What is the Experiential-Relational Process of Sexual Response?
This model includes stages: Desire/Initiation, Pleasuring/Arousal, Entry by Invitation, Letting Go, and Affirmation.
What is the role of “Desire/Initiation” in the sexual response process?
This phase involves expressing sexual interest and initiating intimate activity.
What is the “Pleasuring/Arousal” phase in sexual response?
This phase focuses on mutual pleasure and arousal, leading to physical and emotional engagement.
What happens during “Entry by Invitation” in sexual response?
It refers to consensual penetration, where both partners agree to proceed with intimacy.
What does “Letting Go” mean in the sexual response cycle?
It refers to relaxing and allowing oneself to fully experience the sexual encounter, often culminating in orgasm.
What is the “Affirmation” stage of sexual response?
This phase involves post-interaction closeness and affirmation between partners.
What are common sexual dysfunction challenges faced by individuals?
Common issues include desire discrepancies, approach-avoidance conflicts, erectile/lubrication problems, pain during intercourse, and emotional tension.
What is “spectatoring” during sex?
Spectatoring refers to being overly focused on performance or self-monitoring during sex, which can hinder relaxation and intimacy.
What are some common emotional challenges during or after sex?
Challenges include post-coital crying, emotional tension, and feelings of guilt or shame.
What are common treatment approaches for sexual dysfunction?
Treatment options include sex therapy (education, CBT, sensate focus exercises), relationship counseling, and medical treatments for underlying physical conditions.
How does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) help in treating sexual dysfunction?
CBT helps individuals recognize and address negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to sexual dysfunction.
What is Sensate Focus in sex therapy?
Sensate Focus is a therapeutic technique where partners engage in non-sexual touching to build comfort and intimacy, reducing performance anxiety.
What is the role of communication training in sex therapy?
Communication training helps couples express their desires, boundaries, and emotional needs, fostering a healthy sexual relationship.
What medical treatments may be used for sexual dysfunction?
Medical treatments may include medications (e.g., for erectile dysfunction), hormonal therapy, or treatment for underlying physical conditions affecting sexual health.
What is the definition of sexual desire?
Sexual desire refers to the psychological and physiological interest or craving for sexual activity.
What factors contribute to a person’s sexual desire?
Biological factors (e.g., hormones), psychological factors (e.g., emotional intimacy), and relational factors (e.g., partner dynamics).
What does “sexual arousal” involve?
Sexual arousal involves physiological changes, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, in response to sexual stimuli.
What are the physiological changes that occur during sexual arousal?
Increased blood flow, higher heart rate, and the activation of sexual organs like the genitals are physiological markers of arousal.
What is orgasm?
Orgasm is the peak of sexual excitement, characterized by muscle contractions and the release of sexual tension.
How does the body return to the pre-arousal state after orgasm?
Resolution is the phase where the body gradually returns to its normal, relaxed state following orgasm.
What role do the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems play in sexual response?
The parasympathetic nervous system facilitates sexual arousal, while the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for orgasmic response.
How do psychological and emotional factors influence sexual dysfunction?
Psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma, can contribute to sexual dysfunction by disrupting arousal or desire.
What is erectile dysfunction (ED)?
ED is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.
What are common physical causes of erectile dysfunction?
Physical causes include cardiovascular issues, hormonal imbalances, neurological conditions, and diabetes.
What are psychological causes of erectile dysfunction?
Psychological causes include anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and past trauma.
What is the diagnostic criteria for Erectile Dysfunction?
ED is diagnosed when an individual experiences persistent difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection for at least 6 months.
How is premature ejaculation defined?
Premature ejaculation is the condition where ejaculation occurs too quickly, typically within one minute of penetration.
What factors contribute to premature ejaculation?
Factors include anxiety, lack of sexual experience, and hypersensitivity of the penis.
What is delayed ejaculation?
Delayed ejaculation refers to a condition where ejaculation is delayed or absent despite adequate sexual stimulation.
What are common causes of delayed ejaculation?
Causes include anxiety, relationship issues, medication side effects, and neurological disorders.
What is the definition of female orgasmic disorder?
Female orgasmic disorder is the persistent inability to achieve orgasm despite adequate sexual stimulation.
What are common causes of female orgasmic disorder?
Causes include hormonal imbalances, psychological issues, stress, and lack of sexual experience or intimacy.
What is genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder?
This disorder involves pain, fear, or tension during intercourse, causing distress and avoidance of sexual activity.
What are common causes of genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder?
Causes include physical injury, infections, psychological factors, and insufficient lubrication.
What is the relationship between paraphilic disorders and sexual dysfunction?
Paraphilic disorders involve atypical sexual interests that may cause distress or harm to oneself or others and can coexist with sexual dysfunction.
What is the primary characteristic of pedophilic disorder?
The primary characteristic is sexual attraction to prepubescent children, which causes distress or harm.
What is the key feature of exhibitionistic disorder?
The key feature is sexual arousal from exposing one’s genitals to an unsuspecting person, often causing distress or harm.
What is voyeuristic disorder?
Voyeuristic disorder involves sexual arousal from watching unsuspecting individuals engage in sexual activities or undress.
What are the criteria for diagnosing voyeuristic disorder?
Criteria include recurrent sexual urges or behaviors involving watching others without consent, leading to distress.
What is frotteuristic disorder?
Frotteuristic disorder involves sexual arousal from touching or rubbing against a non-consenting person.
What are the diagnostic features of fetishistic disorder?
Arousal from specific objects or body parts is the primary feature, with significant distress or impairment.
What are the characteristics of sexual masochism disorder?
The disorder involves sexual arousal from experiencing pain, humiliation, or suffering, often in a sexual context.
What is sexual sadism disorder?
Sexual sadism disorder involves arousal from inflicting pain, humiliation, or suffering on others.
How is transvestic disorder defined?
Transvestic disorder involves sexual arousal from cross-dressing, causing distress or impairment.
What is sexual addiction or problematic sexual behavior (PSB)?
PSB refers to sexual behavior driven by anxiety, compulsive urges, or as a coping mechanism, leading to negative consequences.
How can PSB impact relationships?
PSB can create emotional strain, relationship difficulties, and impair intimacy due to compulsive sexual behaviors.
What is the role of sexual desire in initiating sexual activity?
Sexual desire is the initial psychological and physiological drive that motivates an individual to seek sexual activity.
How does the “Entry by Invitation” phase differ from the other stages?
It involves consensual penetration and is distinct from earlier phases of arousal or initiation, emphasizing mutual agreement.
What are common emotional challenges during sex?
Emotional tension, guilt, anxiety, and unresolved relationship conflicts may arise, complicating sexual experiences.
What is the importance of communication during sexual encounters?
Open communication fosters understanding, reduces anxiety, and strengthens intimacy between partners.
What is the role of sensate focus exercises in sex therapy?
Sensate focus exercises involve gradual, non-sexual touch to build comfort and reduce performance anxiety.
What is the purpose of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating sexual dysfunction?
CBT aims to address maladaptive thought patterns, increase sexual self-esteem, and improve communication between partners.
How does relationship counseling help with sexual dysfunction?
Relationship counseling addresses communication issues, emotional intimacy, and relationship dynamics that may affect sexual health.
What role do medical treatments play in sexual dysfunction?
Medical treatments address underlying physical conditions such as hormonal imbalances, erectile dysfunction, or pain during intercourse.
What are the most common treatments for erectile dysfunction?
Treatments include medications like Viagra, hormone therapy, or lifestyle changes to address underlying causes.
How does hormone therapy address sexual dysfunction?
Hormone therapy can balance testosterone or estrogen levels, potentially improving libido and sexual function.
What are the risks of untreated sexual dysfunction?
Untreated dysfunction can lead to emotional distress, relationship problems, reduced self-esteem, and diminished quality of life.