Sexual Dysfunction Notes
● Approximately 1 in 3 Americans experiences sexual dysfunction.
● Sexual arousal is influenced by individual traits and can vary greatly among
people.
● Biopsychosocial models are essential for understanding sexual wellbeing,
incorporating biological, psychological, and social factors affecting sexuality.
Influencing Factors
● Sexual arousal is influenced by a variety of individual traits, including
psychological factors (like anxiety or depression), physical health
(conditions like diabetes or heart disease), and relational dynamics.
● Biopsychosocial Model: This model is crucial for understanding sexual
wellbeing, as it incorporates:
○ Biological: Physical health and hormonal levels.
○ Psychological: Mental health, stress, and personal history.
○ Social: Relationship quality and cultural influences.
Diagnosis Requirements
● According to the DSM-5, sexual dysfunctions require clinically significant
disturbance in sexual response or pleasure.
● Distress must be present for a minimum of six months and affect 75% of sexual
situations for diagnosis.
● It is important to assess underlying causes such as mental health issues, cultural
beliefs, and relationship dynamics.
● Conducting a biopsychosocial assessment allows for a thorough understanding
of the various factors influencing sexual health. This includes
evaluating:Personal beliefs and values, body image issues, underlying health
concerns, life stressors.
, Sexual Response Cycle
● The human sexual response cycle includes three phases: desire, arousal, and
orgasm.
● Research by Masters and Johnson established foundational principles in sexual
response and dysfunction treatment.
● Their work debunked myths surrounding female orgasms and introduced
effective therapy methods for sexual dysfunctions.
● Desire: This phase involves the psychological component of sexual interest and
motivation. It is influenced by a variety of factors, including emotional intimacy,
mood, and individual differences in sexual orientation and preferences.
● Arousal: Arousal encompasses physiological changes that occur in response to
sexual stimuli. In this phase, blood flow increases to the genitals, leading to
physiological responses such as erection in men and vaginal lubrication in
women.
● Orgasm: The orgasm phase is characterized by intense pleasure and the release
of sexual tension, often accompanied by rhythmic muscular contractions.
Research has shown that both men and women experience similar physiological
responses during orgasm, debunking earlier myths about differences in orgasm
types.
Sexual Myths
● It was widely believed that there were distinct types of orgasms, specifically
"vaginal" and "clitoral" orgasms, with the former often considered more desirable.
Masters and Johnson's research showed that the physiological response was
identical regardless of the type of stimulation.
● There was a misconception that vaginal lubrication originated from the cervix.
Masters and Johnson clarified that it arises from the vaginal walls, which
contributed significantly to understanding female sexual arousal.
● Approximately 1 in 3 Americans experiences sexual dysfunction.
● Sexual arousal is influenced by individual traits and can vary greatly among
people.
● Biopsychosocial models are essential for understanding sexual wellbeing,
incorporating biological, psychological, and social factors affecting sexuality.
Influencing Factors
● Sexual arousal is influenced by a variety of individual traits, including
psychological factors (like anxiety or depression), physical health
(conditions like diabetes or heart disease), and relational dynamics.
● Biopsychosocial Model: This model is crucial for understanding sexual
wellbeing, as it incorporates:
○ Biological: Physical health and hormonal levels.
○ Psychological: Mental health, stress, and personal history.
○ Social: Relationship quality and cultural influences.
Diagnosis Requirements
● According to the DSM-5, sexual dysfunctions require clinically significant
disturbance in sexual response or pleasure.
● Distress must be present for a minimum of six months and affect 75% of sexual
situations for diagnosis.
● It is important to assess underlying causes such as mental health issues, cultural
beliefs, and relationship dynamics.
● Conducting a biopsychosocial assessment allows for a thorough understanding
of the various factors influencing sexual health. This includes
evaluating:Personal beliefs and values, body image issues, underlying health
concerns, life stressors.
, Sexual Response Cycle
● The human sexual response cycle includes three phases: desire, arousal, and
orgasm.
● Research by Masters and Johnson established foundational principles in sexual
response and dysfunction treatment.
● Their work debunked myths surrounding female orgasms and introduced
effective therapy methods for sexual dysfunctions.
● Desire: This phase involves the psychological component of sexual interest and
motivation. It is influenced by a variety of factors, including emotional intimacy,
mood, and individual differences in sexual orientation and preferences.
● Arousal: Arousal encompasses physiological changes that occur in response to
sexual stimuli. In this phase, blood flow increases to the genitals, leading to
physiological responses such as erection in men and vaginal lubrication in
women.
● Orgasm: The orgasm phase is characterized by intense pleasure and the release
of sexual tension, often accompanied by rhythmic muscular contractions.
Research has shown that both men and women experience similar physiological
responses during orgasm, debunking earlier myths about differences in orgasm
types.
Sexual Myths
● It was widely believed that there were distinct types of orgasms, specifically
"vaginal" and "clitoral" orgasms, with the former often considered more desirable.
Masters and Johnson's research showed that the physiological response was
identical regardless of the type of stimulation.
● There was a misconception that vaginal lubrication originated from the cervix.
Masters and Johnson clarified that it arises from the vaginal walls, which
contributed significantly to understanding female sexual arousal.
