Understanding Common Sexual
Problems
Understanding Common Sexual Problems
A lot many sexual problems are because of poor knowledge of the
sexual stages and normal differences in the male and female physiology in the sexual stages.Often
people have doubts about what is normal and abnormal regarding the anatomy [size, position, and
shape] of the sex organs and their functions. First we shall try to understand the various sexual
stages, differences in the male and female responses and normal physiology of sex.
The
following link on Wikipedia would be quite informative for the first timers to clear their doubts
about the normal sexual response stages: Human sexual response cycle
Now, Let’s deal with some of the
common queries-
What is the normal size of the sex organ/ penis?
The shaft of the penis is about 1–3 inches long when soft. During
an erection, the shaft expands to generally reach 4–6 inches.
When can one say that he has premature ejaculation?
There is no uniform time frame defining premature ejaculation. The
ICD 10 defines it at as ejaculate less than 15sec after the start of intercourse. On the other
hand the International Society for Sexual Medicine endorsed a definition including "ejaculation
which always or nearly always occurs prior to or within about one minute”. The normal latency for
men is usually 4-8 mins.
What is erectile dysfunction?
Failure to achieve an erection or having an insufficient erection
is called as erectile dysfunction. Occurrence of this condition is very common and may herald the
onset of a cardiovascular illness.
Some common sexual problems are:
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1. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder:
This disorder may be present when a person has decreased sexual fantasies and
a decreased or absent desire for sexual activity. In order to be considered a sexual disorder
the decreased desire must cause a problem for the individual. In this situation the person
usually does not initiate sexual activity and may be slow to respond to his/her partner's
sexual advances. This disorder can be present in adolescents and can persist throughout a
person's life. Many times, however, the lowered sexual desire occurs during adulthood, often
times following a period of stress.
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2. Sexual Aversion Disorder:
A person who actively avoids and has a persistent or recurrent extreme
aversion to genital sexual contact with a sexual partner may have sexual aversion disorder. In
order to be considered a disorder, the aversion to sex must be a cause of difficulty in the
person's sexual relationship. The individual with sexual aversion disorder usually reports
anxiety, fear, or disgust when given the opportunity to be involved sexually. Touching and
kissing may even be avoided. Extreme anxiety such as panic attacks may actually occur. It is
not unusual for a person to feel nauseated, dizzy, or faint.
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3. Female Sexual Arousal Disorder:
Female sexual arousal disorder is described as the inability of a woman to
complete sexual activity with adequate lubrication. Swelling of the external genitalia and
vaginal lubrication are generally absent. These symptoms must cause problems in the
interpersonal relationship to be considered a disorder. It is not unusual for the woman with
female sexual arousal disorder to have almost no sense of sexual arousal. Often, these women
experience pain with intercourse and avoid sexual contact with their partner.
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4. Male Erectile Disorder:
If a male is unable to maintain an erection throughout sexual activity, he
may have male erectile disorder. This problem must be either persistent or recurrent in
nature. Also, the erectile disturbance must cause difficulty in the relationship with the
sexual partner to be defined as a disorder. Some males will be unable to obtain any erection.
Others will have an adequate erection, but lose the erection during sexual activity. Erectile
disorders may accompany a fear of failure. Sometimes this disorder is present throughout life.
In many cases the erectile failure is intermittent and sometimes dependent upon the type of
partner or the quality of the relationship.
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5. Female Orgasmic Disorder:
Female orgasmic disorder occurs when there is a significant delay or total
absence of orgasm associated with the sexual activity. This condition must cause a problem in
the relationship with the sexual partner in order to be defined as a disorder.
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6. Male Orgasmic Disorder:
When a male experiences significant delay or total absence of orgasm
following sexual activity, he may have male orgasmic disorder. In order to be qualified as a
disorder, the symptoms must present a significant problem for the individual.
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7. Premature Ejaculation:
When minimal sexual stimulation causes orgasm and ejaculation on a persistent
basis for the male, he is said to have premature ejaculation. The timing of the ejaculation
must cause a problem for the person or the relationship in order to be qualified as a
disorder. Premature ejaculation is sometimes seen in young men who have experienced premature
ejaculation since their first attempt at intercourse.
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8. Dyspareunia:
Dyspareunia is a sexual pain disorder. Dyspareunia is genital pain that
accompanies sexual intercourse. Both males and females can experience this disorder, but the
disorder is more common in women. Dyspareunia tends to be chronic in nature.
