Sexual Dysfunctions

Question 1

Erectile Disorder

Answer 1

requires the presence of at least one of three symptoms (marked difficulty in obtaining an erection during sexual activity, marked difficulty in maintaining an erection until completion of sexual activity, marked decrease in erectile rigidity) on all or almost all occasions of sexual activity

symptoms must ahve persisted for at least six months

Must rule out medical conditions, substances and medications that can cause erectile problems must be ruled out such as diabetes, liver and kidney disease, MS, cigarette smoking, and certain antipsychotic, antidepressant, and hypertensive drugs

Question 2

Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

Answer 2

first step is medical evaluation

complete absence of erections during REM sleep suggests an organic etiology

If it is determined that disorder is due to psychogenic factors, treatment ordinarily includes the use of CBT techniques from Masters & Johnson

Targets of techniques are the dysfunctional beliefs, related anxiety, faulty attitudes and beliefs, and deficient knowledge and skills

Viagra often prescribed

Question 3

Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder

Answer 3

diagnosed in the presence of persistent or recurrent difficulties involving one or more of the following: -vaginal penetration during intercourse

• marked genito-pelvic pain during intercourse or penetration attempts
• Marked anxiety about genito-pelvic pain before, during, or as a result of vaginal penetration
• marked tensing of pelvic floor muscles during attempted vaginal penetration

Symptoms must have persisted for at least six months and cause clinically significant distress

evidence that this disorder is associated with ah history of sexual and/or physical abuse

Question 4

Premature Ejaculation-

Answer 4

diagnosed in the presence of a persistent or recurrent pattern of ejaculation during partnered sexual activity within about one minute of vaginal penetration or before the person desires it

must be present for at least six months, be experienced on all or almost all occasions of sexual activity, and cause clinically significant distress

Question 5

Treatment for Premature Ejaculation/Penetration Disorder (Vaginismus)

Answer 5

overall sex therapy has been found to be successful for premature ejaculation and vaginismus; commonly used techniques include:

• sensate focus- helps reduce performance anxiety
• start-stop and squeeze techniques- used to treat premature ejaculation and are designed to icnrease the man’s control over the ejaculatory reflex

Premature ejaculation has been linked to low serotonin levels, and the SSRIs have been found to be effective for some individuals