Female Sexual Dysfunction

Abstract

A full discussion of the range of female sexual dysfunction, including: Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, Sexual Arousal Disorder, Orgasmic Disorder and Vaginismus is given in this article. The evaluation of the psychological factors involved in female dysfunction is examined, with case examples, illustrating the possible aetiological, as well as the precipitating and perpetuating, factors that may be operational in the presentation of the various dysfunctions. The cultural and social context within which female sexual dysfunctions occur is referred to as well as the impact of gender roles and expectation on female sexuality. The point is made that female sexual dysfunction is often understood in terms of fertility issues or other medical difficulties, and that it is under researched in terms of the work done on drug effects on sexuality. There is a brief examination of the impact of the ICI (Intercavernosal Injection) treatment for erectile disorders on the female partners of such men. Useful interventions and strategies are offered to assist in the management of female sexual dysfunction.