Description
The following is a discussion of various forms of sexual dysfunction, including sexual apathy, hypersexuality, and sexual discomfort.
Sexual desire
Occasionally, many people experience a slump in the frequency and intensity of their sexual desire, and this manifests itself in the reduced number of sexual encounters. Sexual apathy, which is more common in women, has numerous causes: primary and secondary asexuality, hormonal deficiencies, psychological factors and depression, sexual abuse, stress, fear of venereal diseases or unwanted pregnancy, an unhealthy attitude toward sex, growing up in a sexually conservative family, hatred of the sexual organ, an aversion to sex, etc.
Sexual apathy may even influence one's formation of friendships. It is a very difficult sexual problem to treat, and the success rate depends a lot on the physician. Choosing the right doctor for treatment, as well as determination to overcome the problem, are equally important.
Hypersexuality
The opposite extreme of sexual apathy is erotomania, an abnormally high desire for sex. In men, it is called satyriasis, and in women it is referred to as nymphomania. Hypersexuality is determined not only by the frequency of but, the intensity of, the sexual drive. It is caused by pent up emotions of sexual desire or other needs unrelated to sex. Hypersexuality appears in people who have been neglected or sexually abused as infants. The way to distinguish between hypersexuality and normal sexual desire is to look not at the frequency of but the reasons for and the method of the sexual activity.
Antidepressants, high dosages of stabilizing medications (i.e., Lithium for bipolar disorders; Librium, Valium, and junior phenothiazines for anxiety-related disorders) to remove the anger and internal discontentment, and psychotherapy are treatments for hypersexuality.
Sexual discomfort (Dyspareunia)
In men, sexual discomfort usually occurs due to some physical problem, such as infection of the prostate gland, urinary bladder, or the urethra, too much tension in the foreskin of the penis, and Peyronie's disease, which causes warping of the penis. Some men suffer from post-ejaculatory pain syndrome, a psychological syndrome in which a person feels extreme pain during and after ejaculation, and penal spasms may occur.
In women, the problems can be more serious, especially in the case of vaginal-dryness irritation (colpoxerosis), in which the vaginal wall is extremely sensitized due to the lack of vaginal fluids. The dryness can be attributed to fear or worry concerning intercourse, lack of foreplay, hormonal changes during menopause, or the use of antihistamines or tampons. Vaginal dryness is treated with supplemental, water-based lubricants. Other sexual discomforts experienced by women are caused by endometriosis, pelvic infections, vaginal infections, Bartholin's gland infections (bartholinitis), urethral infections, and allergies to sperm, vaginal washes, and spermicides. All these cases of sexual discomforts are caused by real physical problems, so if they persist, prompt medical attention is advised.
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