Orgasmic Disorder in Men and Women
Orgasmic disorders are the difficulty in achieving orgasm or marked reduced intensity of orgasmic sensations, or both, during sexual stimulation. According to the DSM V, the signs and symptoms must have been persistent for more than six months (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The disorder causes significant psychological distress and interpersonal challenges, especially among married couples. Therefore comprehensive history taking and clinical examination should be conducted to identify other causative conditions, for instance, nonsexual mental disorders, medical conditions, significant stressors, and drug/substance abuse (Preda, 2019). Moreover, the disorder can either be primary that is lifelong, or secondary when the patient had a previous normal organism.
Female orgasmic disorder is characterized by marked delay, absence, or infrequency of orgasm or reduced orgasmic sensation or both during sexual stimulation. For a diagnosis of the condition to be made, there should not be significant interpersonal or contextual factors such as severe relationship distress, significant stressors or intimate partner violence (Preda, 2019). Furthermore, it is important to differentiate whether or not the difficulties are because of inadequate sexual stimulation. Lastly, a treatment plan for the condition includes hormonal supplementation, treatment of other sexual dysfunctions, communication training, and relationship enhancement work, and masturbation for women when a partner is not present (Preda, 2019). However, treatment success improves when the woman is younger, in a healthy and affectionate relationship, and emotionally healthy (Preda, 2019)
Additionally, in men, an orgasmic disorder is a consistent and persistent inability to achieve orgasm even after adequate stimulation. Patients having the condition usually have marked personal distress, self-blaming, anxiety before or after sex, and relationship problems (Jenkins & Mulhall, 2015). The orgasmic disorder is due to reduced penile sensation, medical conditions, for instance, diabetic neuropathy, prostate disorders and genital surgery, and hormonal disorders such as low testosterone. Notably, if the anorgasmia is associated with personal distress, then treatment therapy should incorporate both psychological and physiological evaluation (Jenkins & Mulhall, 2015). The treatment plan for men with anorgasmia involves exploring psychological causes of the condition, partner sexual dysfunction, for instance, vaginal dryness, and sexual therapy (“Male Orgasmic Disorder (MOD),” 2019). Moreover, physiological therapy includes treatment of underlying medical conditions, and administration of medication that can help improve orgasmic function such as oxytocin and alpha two receptor inhibitors such as yohimbine hydrochloride (“Male Orgasmic Disorder (MOD),” 2019).
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub.
Jenkins, L., & Mulhall, J. (2015). Delayed orgasm and anorgasmia. Fertility and Sterility, 104(5), 1082-1088. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.09.029
Male Orgasmic Disorder (MOD). (2019). Retrieved from http:// www. Sandiegosexualmedicine .com/male-issues/male-orgasmic-disorder-mod