Sexual dysfunctions

When the cause is psychological ...

To carry out a psychological approach to sexual dysfunctions, it is important to have previously ruled out all possible medical, physiological causes or those derived from the consumption of any substance or medication that may be affecting. Once these have been discarded, important factors must be taken into account, for example, if the problem has always existed or, if on the contrary, there has been a specific beginning in time (for example, after a certain experience).

Broadly speaking, some of the factors that tend to influence cases in which the cause is psychological are:

• Lack of information related to sexuality or misinformation about it.
• Have received an education or beliefs about sexuality excessively strict or repressive.
• Have suffered any traumatic experience related to sex (for example, sexual abuse).
• Possessing certain personality traits, such as insecurity, a poor self esteem, complexes related to the own body, a high self-demand, the need to like and feel valued or the presence of other disorders, such as anxiety, depression or certain fears.
• Meet in a difficult vital moment (for example, faced with a high level of work stress, concern about certain family problems, grief over the death of a relative, financial difficulties, etc.)
• Certain variables of the situation in which sexual encounters occur (for example, having little time, having formed unrealistic expectations about a particular sexual encounter, or wanting to demonstrate a great experience, among other factors).
• Relationship problems, such as communication and trust difficulties, emotional distancing, and / or unresolved, power struggles, etc. It can also occur due to the appearance of routine or monotony in sexual encounters, leading to disinterest.

Faced with this reality, the reaction shown by the sexual partner when a certain dysfunction is revealed can also be a determining factor in its evolution.

How they manifest

Descriptively, the main manifestations of the most frequent sexual dysfunctions are:

Lack of sexual desire

Its main characteristic is the absence or deficiency of fantasies or sexual desire. In these cases, the person will hardly take the initiative to initiate a sexual relationship and will maintain it in a forced way when his partner proposes it. This dysfunction can be associated in turn with problems of sexual arousal, difficulties in reaching orgasm or other problems in the couple's relationship. It is common for it to appear in an adult stage, after a period of and related to some other type of psychological discomfort (stressful situations, grief, interpersonal problems, etc.), although there are also some cases in which the lack of desire has been presented continuously throughout the person's life.

Aversion to sex

Its most distinctive feature is the active avoidance of genital sexual contact with another person. The individual who manifests this dysfunction usually feels anxiety or fear about a sexual relationship, which is usually focused on a specific aspect of sex (for example, penetration, genital secretions, etc.).

erectile dysfunction

It consists of a persistent or recurrent inability in men to achieve or maintain a proper erection until the end of sexual intercourse. It can be manifested by an inability to achieve an erection from the beginning of sexual intercourse or not being able to maintain it when attempting penetration or during it.

Premature ejaculation

The essential characteristic of this dysfunction consists in the appearance in the man of an orgasm and ejaculation in response to a minimal sexual stimulation before, during or shortly after the penetration, and before he wants it. In this situation, factors such as age, experience, relationship with the partner, the novelty of the act and the frequency of sexual activity may influence, at the same time being significant the subjective assessment by both members of whether this fact constitutes a trouble.

Anorgasmia

It consists of the absence or delay of orgasm in women after a phase of normal sexual arousal.

Vaginismus

The main characteristic of this dysfunction in women is the involuntary contraction of the muscles at the entrance to the vagina, preventing intercourse or penetration in most cases.

Dyspaurenia

The is the most characteristic feature in this dysfunction, which tends to occur in most cases in women, consists of genital pain during intercourse, which may also present before or after it, with different degrees of intensity (from minor discomfort acute pain).

How to treat them

For an adequate approach to sexual dysfunctions of psychological cause, it may be useful to seek the professional help from a sexologist or sex therapist. At the same time, in cases where the dysfunction occurs within a stable relationship, the attitude adopted by both members towards the problem will be essential to prevent it from worsening, at the same time that the improvement or solution is facilitated. of the same. In this sense, it is important to take into account the following recommendations:

• Both of you must be willing to talk openly about what is happening, to look for an explanation to the problem, collaborating together, showing respect at all times and avoiding guilt, rejection or anger due to the difficulty they are going through.
• On the other hand, it can be beneficial to be open to make your sexual practices more flexible, exploring new modalities, avoiding routine and perceiving sexual encounters as spaces of enjoyment, intimacy and pleasure instead of tests to overcome, expectations to meet or skills to demonstrate.
• Have patience and taking time to improve or solve the situation is also essential when starting treatment for sexual dysfunction.

• It is the alteration that occurs during any stage of the sexual act.
• Influential factors: lack of information, education or excessively strict beliefs, relationship problems ...
• Manifestation: lack of sexual desire, vaginismus, premature ejaculation ...

Elena Killed

Specialist in Clinical Psychology