In the late 1950s, two events initiated a new approach to treating sexual dysfunction; the first was the publication of Semans, which describes a very simple technique for treating premature ejaculation; the second event was Wolpe’s publication describing conditioning procedures for the treatment of sexual dysfunctions. These techniques have not attracted much attention, which did in 1970 with the publication of Masters and Johnson’s on sexual inadequacy and the comprehensive program for the treatment of sexual dysfunction. Since then, numerous articles on sex therapy have been published, sex therapy clinics have sprung up, and numerous therapies have been added.

DEFINITION

Sexual dysfunctions are behavioral problems that prevent a couple from enjoying sexual intercourse, they differ from sexual variations, in which an individual can choose an unconventional type of relationship and decide to commit to being successful. Masters and Johnson’s have broken down the patterns of sexual response in both genders, into four specific stages:

excitement

plateau phase

orgasm phase

resolution phase

Based on these divisions, sexual dysfunctions are perceived as disturbances of one or more phases of the sexual response cycle or pain associated with intercourse.

CLASSIFICATION

Hogan divided sexual dysfunctions into male and female; for the male it can be erectile failure, delayed ejaculation, premature ejaculation and dyspareunia. In the past, the term impotence was used for the first three dysfunctions. However, it is important to distinguish between these three conditions, as Kaplan and Masters and Johnson’s state, as all three disorders differ both physiologically and in response to treatment.

ERECTILE INSUFFICIENCY

It is the inability of the male to achieve or maintain an erection to such an extent that he avoids making the effort to have a satisfying relationship.

LATE EJACULATION

Also called ejaculatory incompetence, it is a disorder in which the man suffers from delayed ejaculation or the inability to ejaculate intravaginally.

EJACULATION EARLY

It is the opposite of late ejaculation; the patient ejaculates before or immediately after inserting the penis into his partner’s vagina. There are no objective criteria for determining what causes premature ejaculation; even if the data show that the increase in ejaculatory latency beyond seven minutes is not to be associated with an increase in the incidence of orgasm during coitus for women, and that the average duration of intercourse for men varies between four and seven minutes. It could be said that an ejaculation latency of less than four minutes may be indicative for treatment. Obviously there are several factors such as: stimulation of the male’s genitals, delaying ejaculation through anti-erotic thoughts, biting one’s tongue or wearing a condom.It is much easier to tell what premature ejaculation is not:

DISPAREUNIA

This dysfunction takes the form of painful sexual intercourse and is generally caused by organic factors.

Female sexual dysfunctions have been divided into five groups:

general sexual dysfunction

orgasmic dysfunction

frigidity

dyspareunia

vaginismus

GENERAL SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

It consists in the inhibition of the sexual response, in such a way as to develop little or no vaginal lubrication. This disorder is experienced by the woman as a lack of erotic feelings. This dysfunction was recognized by Kaplan in 1974 and so defined; other researchers classify patients suffering from this disorder as “cold”.

ORGASMIC DYSFUNCTION

It consists in the inhibition of the orgasm phase by the woman; it is divided into primary when the patient has never had an orgasm in any way and secondary, when the patient has had an orgasm at least once through some sexual stimulation.

FRIGIDITY

This term is used to refer to orgasmic dysfunction in general and sexual dysfunction, but it does not give any information on which of the two components of the sexual response was inhibited.

VAGINISM

It is a condition in which the vagina closes tightly preventing penetration, it is caused by an involuntary spastic contraction of the muscles surrounding the vagina.

There are at least ten sexual dysfunctions not caused by organic disorders, and they are the loss of sexual desire, sexual aversion, lack of sexual pleasure, failure of the genital response, orgasmic dysfunction, inorganic vaginismus, excessive drive sexual etc …