Chapter 12: Sexual Disorder and Gender Variations

Sexual dysfunction

A disorder marked by a persistent inability to function normally in some area of the sexual response cycle.

desire phase

The phase of the sexual response cycle consisting of an urge to have sex, sexual fantasies, and sexual attraction to others.

male hypoactive sexual desire disorder

A male dysfunction marked by a persistent reduction or lack of interest in sex and hence a low level of sexual activity.

female sexual interest/arousal disorder

A female dysfunction marked by a persistent reduction or lack of interest in sex and low sexual activity, as well as, in some cases, limited excitement and few sexual sensations during sexual activity

excitement phase

The phase of the sexual response cycle marked by changes in the pelvic region, general physical arousal, and increases in heart rate, muscle tension, blood pressure, and rate of breathing

erectile disorder

A dysfunction in which a man repeatedly fails to attain or maintain an erection during sexual activity

nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT)

erection during sleep

performance anxiety

The fear of performing inadequately and a related tension that are experienced during sex.

spectator role

A state of mind that some people experience during sex, focusing on their sexual performance to such an extent that their performance and their enjoyment are reduced.

orgasm phase

The phase of the sexual response cycle during which a person’s sexual pleasure peaks and sexual tension is released as muscles in the pelvic region contract rhythmically

premature ejaculation

A dysfunction in which a man persistently reaches orgasm and ejaculates within 1 minute of beginning sexual activity with a partner and before he wishes to. Also called early or rapid ejaculation

delayed ejaculation

A male dysfunction characterized by persistent inability to ejaculate or very delayed ejaculations during sexual activity with a partner

female orgasmic disorder

A dysfunction in which a woman persistently fails to reach orgasm, has very low-intensity orgasms, or has very delayed orgasms.

genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder

A sexual dysfunction characterized by significant physical discomfort during intercourse.

sildenafil

One of the drugs used to treat erectile disorder that helps increase blood flow to the penis during sexual activity. Marketed as Viagra

directed masturbation training

A sex therapy approach that teaches women with female arousal or orgasmic problems how to masturbate effectively and eventually to reach orgasm during sexual interactions

paraphilias

Patterns in which a person has recurrent and intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors involving nonhuman objects, children, nonconsenting adults, or experiences of suffering or humiliation

paraphilic disorder

A disorder in which a person’s paraphilia causes great distress, interferes with social or occupational activities, or has placed the person or others at risk of harm.

fetishistic disorder

A paraphilic disorder consisting of recurrent and intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors that involve the use of a nonliving object or nongenital part, often to the exclusion of all other stimuli, accompanied by clinically significant distress or impairment

transvestic disorder

A paraphilic disorder consisting of repeated and intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors that involve dressing in clothes of the opposite sex, accompanied by clinically significant distress or impairment.

exhibitionistic disorder

A paraphilic disorder in which persons have repeated sexually arousing urges or fantasies about exposing their genitals to others, and either act on these urges with nonconsenting individuals or experience clinically significant distress or impairment.

voyeuristic disorder

A paraphilic disorder in which a person has repeated and intense sexual desires to observe unsuspecting people in secret as they undress or to spy on couples having intercourse, and either acts on these urges with nonconsenting people or experiences clinically significant distress or impairment.

frotteuristic disorder

A paraphilic disorder in which a person has repeated and intense sexual urges or fantasies that involve touching and rubbing against a nonconsenting person, and either acts on these urges with the nonconsenting person or experiences clinically significant distress or impairment

pedophilic disorder

A paraphilic disorder in which a person has repeated and intense sexual urges or fantasies about watching, touching, or engaging in sexual acts with children, and either acts on these urges or experiences clinically significant distress or impairment.

sexual masochism disorder

A paraphilic disorder in which a person has repeated and intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors that involve being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer, accompanied by clinically significant distress or impairment.

sexual sadism disorder

A paraphilic disorder in which a person has repeated and intense sexual urges or fantasies that involve inflicting suffering on others, and either acts on these urges with nonconsenting individuals or experiences clinically significant distress or impairment

cisgender

Individuals who feel like and identify as male or female and whose gender identity is consistent with their assigned gender (or birth anatomy), the gender to which they are born.

transgender

Individuals who have a strong sense that their gender identity is different from their birth anatomy.

gender dysphoria

A disorder in which a person persistently feels clinically significant distress or impairment due to their assigned gender and strongly wishes to be a member of another gender.

gender-affirming surgery

A surgical procedure that changes a person’s sex organs and gender features. Also known as gender reassignment surgery