What Causes Sexual Problems?
Sexual dysfunction can be a result of a physical or psychological problem
Physical causes: Many physical and/or medical conditions can cause sexual problems. These conditions include diabetes, heart disease, neurological diseases, hormonal imbalances, menopause, chronic diseases such as kidney disease or liver failure, alcoholism, and drug abuse. Moreover, the side effects of certain medications, including some antidepressant drugs, can affect sexual desire and function.
Psychological causes: These include work-related stress and anxiety, concerns about sexual performance, marital or relationship problems, depression, feelings of guilt, and the effects of a past sexual trauma.
Who Is Affected by Sexual Problems?
Both men and women are affected by sexual problems. Sexual problems occur in adults of all ages. Among those commonly affected are seniors, which may be related to a decline in health associated with aging.
How Sexual Problems Treated?
The ideal approach to treating sexual problems involves a team effort between the person, doctors, and trained therapists. Most types of sexual problems can be corrected by treating the underlying physical or psychological problems.
Providing Education: Education about human anatomy, sexual function, and the normal changes associated with aging, as well as sexual behaviors and responses may help a person overcome his/her anxieties about sexual function and performance.
Enhancing Sexual Stimulation: Enhancing sexual stimulation may include the use of erotic materials (videos or books), masturbation, and changes to sexual routines.
Providing Distraction Techniques: Erotic or non-erotic fantasies, exercises with intercourse, music, videos, or television can be used to increase relaxation and eliminate anxiety.
Encouraging Non-Coital Behaviors: Non-coital behaviors (physically stimulating activity that does not include intercourse), such as sensual massage, can be used to promote comfort and increase communication between partners.
Minimizing Pain: Using sexual positions that allow the woman to control the depth of penetration may help relieve some pain. The use of vaginal lubricants can help reduce pain caused by friction, and a warm bath before intercourse can help increase relaxation.
Can Sexual Problems Be Cured?
The success of treatment for sexual dysfunction depends on the underlying cause of the problem. The outlook is positive for sexual problems that are related to a treatable or reversible physical condition. Mild dysfunction that is related to stress, fear, or anxiety often can also be successfully treated with counseling, education, and improved communication between partners.
Physical causes: Many physical and/or medical conditions can cause sexual problems. These conditions include diabetes, heart disease, neurological diseases, hormonal imbalances, menopause, chronic diseases such as kidney disease or liver failure, alcoholism, and drug abuse. Moreover, the side effects of certain medications, including some antidepressant drugs, can affect sexual desire and function.
Psychological causes: These include work-related stress and anxiety, concerns about sexual performance, marital or relationship problems, depression, feelings of guilt, and the effects of a past sexual trauma.
Who Is Affected by Sexual Problems?
Both men and women are affected by sexual problems. Sexual problems occur in adults of all ages. Among those commonly affected are seniors, which may be related to a decline in health associated with aging.
How Sexual Problems Treated?
The ideal approach to treating sexual problems involves a team effort between the person, doctors, and trained therapists. Most types of sexual problems can be corrected by treating the underlying physical or psychological problems.
Providing Education: Education about human anatomy, sexual function, and the normal changes associated with aging, as well as sexual behaviors and responses may help a person overcome his/her anxieties about sexual function and performance.
Enhancing Sexual Stimulation: Enhancing sexual stimulation may include the use of erotic materials (videos or books), masturbation, and changes to sexual routines.
Providing Distraction Techniques: Erotic or non-erotic fantasies, exercises with intercourse, music, videos, or television can be used to increase relaxation and eliminate anxiety.
Encouraging Non-Coital Behaviors: Non-coital behaviors (physically stimulating activity that does not include intercourse), such as sensual massage, can be used to promote comfort and increase communication between partners.
Minimizing Pain: Using sexual positions that allow the woman to control the depth of penetration may help relieve some pain. The use of vaginal lubricants can help reduce pain caused by friction, and a warm bath before intercourse can help increase relaxation.
Can Sexual Problems Be Cured?
The success of treatment for sexual dysfunction depends on the underlying cause of the problem. The outlook is positive for sexual problems that are related to a treatable or reversible physical condition. Mild dysfunction that is related to stress, fear, or anxiety often can also be successfully treated with counseling, education, and improved communication between partners.
