Article Sections

Introduction

Sexual dysfunction refers to difficulty in the ability to respond sexually or experience sexual pleasure.  Sexual dysfunction includes a group of disorders that can occur at any point during the sexual response cycle (excitement, plateau, orgasm, resolution).  The disorders covered in this article include premature ejaculation (PE), delayed ejaculation, erectile disorder, male hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), female sexual interest/arousal disorder, female orgasmic disorder, and genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder.

Sexual response cycle

Sexual stimulation may result in physical and emotional changes during 4 phases:

  • Excitement:  occurs in response to arousing thoughts/sensations; may include increased heart rate and blood pressure, increased blood flow to genitals, vaginal lubrication and clitoral enlargement (in individuals with a vagina), and erection (in individuals with a penis)

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