11/18/2025 - Sexual Dysfunctions & Gender Dysphoria - Chapter 11

Sexual Dysfunction

Abnormality in an individual’s sexual responsiveness and reactions

What do clinicians base sexual dysfunction on

Whether it’s lifelong or acquired, and generalized or situational

Masters and Johnson Sexual Response Cycle (4 phases)

• Excitement - (arousal)

• Plateau - “build-up” stage between arousal and orgasm

• Orgasm - peak of sexual response

• Resolution - calming or returning-to-normal stage.

Arousal Disorders

Disorders that occur during the initial stage of the sexual response cycle, characterized by low or no sexual desire, or are unable to achieve physiological arousal

Male hypoactive sexual desire disorder

When males have abnormally low levels of interest in sexual activity

Female sexual interest/arousal disorder

Interested in having intercourse but her body doesn’t physiologically respond during the arousal phase

Erectile Disorder

Male can’t attain or maintain an erection during sexual activity that’s sufficient to allow him to initiate or maintain sexual activity

Gender Dysphoria, criteria

Distress that may accompany the incongruence bw a person's expressed gender and assigned gender

• Criteria: Must identify w/ the other sex, feeling in the wrong body, discomfort about assigned gender

Transsexualism

Refers to gender dysphoria, pertaining to those who choose to undergo sex reassignment surgery

Transphobia

Negative stereotyping and fear of people who are transgendered