Definition
of Orgasmic Disorder
According
to the Consensus panel Report on Female Sexual Function,
orgasmic disorder is the persistent or recurrent difficulty,
delay in, or absence in attaining orgasm following sufficient
sexual stimulation and arousal, which causes personal distress.
Some experts believe that the partner's distress must be
considered too.
Women
may also complain that the quality of the orgasm is different
than what occurred previously. Thus, the orgasms may have
been stronger or more intense in the past, and now they
are less intense or more localized. Some women complain
that their clitoris almost feels dead.
Primary
versus Secondary Orgasmic Disorder
Primary
orgasmic disorder
is where the woman has never had an orgasm. Primary anorgasmia
demands a different approach to discovering its etiology
than does secondary orgasmic disorder. It is important that
a woman understands here own body, including the anatomy.
Some women do not have an understanding of where their labia
is versus their clitoris. Other concerns have to do with
deep seated religious/Freudian/upbringing issues that border
on but do not exactly meet the definition of aversion disorder.
More medical reasons include adrenogenital syndrome, in
utero feminization syndrome, hermaphroditism, Klinefelder
syndrome, and other genetic abnormalities.
Secondary
orgasmic disorder
occurs when orgasms were achievable previously, but are
no longer attainable. Secondary (impure) orgasmic disorder
seems amenable to improvement through training, ES, medications
(adding or subtracting), and devices. Some of these work
by reprogramming the neural pathways, some by increasing
blood flow, some by increasing levels of stimulation to
overcome the apparent increased threshhold.
Causes
of Orgasmic Disorder
Medications
Certain medications
may be related to causing orgasmic difficulties. These may
include:
- Too much alcohol
- High blood pressure medications
- SSRI antidepressants-Prozac,Serefin,
Paxil, Zoloft
- Anitanxiety medications-
Xanax
- Methyldopa or Aldomet
- Amphetamines
- Narcotics
- Antipsychotics
- Benzodiaepines-Valium,
Librium, Klonopin, Ativan
- Tricyclic antidepressants-Elavil,
Tofranil,Pamelor,Vivactil,
- Anafranil. (However, on
rare occasions Anafranil can create
- spontaneous orgasms.)
- MAO Inhibitors-Marplan,
Nardal, Parnate
- Tagamet
Sexual
or physical abuse
The trauma
from such abuse can make having an orgasm very difficult.
Menopause
With menopause comes a decrease in hormones such as estrogen
and testosterone. There may be vaginal dryness and loss
of vaginal elasticity. Decreased clitoral sensitivity, along
with fewer orgasms and decrease in intensity of orgasms.
More stimulation may be needed to achieve an orgasm.
Surgery
Any pelvic surgery may create sexual problems. If your cervix
triggers a sexual response and it is removed, the removal
may create sexual dysfunction. Internal orgasms may no longer
be possible after the removal of the uterus.
Hysterectomy
According to Hilda Hutcherson, M.D. in her book What Your
Mother Never Told You About Sex, 20 percent of women who
have had a hysterectomy state that sex is less enjoyable.
Orgasms may feel different especially if stimulation of
your cervix was important to your sexual response. The uterus
contracts and after a hysterectomy if uterine contractions
were noticeable during your orgasms these contractions will
no longer be present. Women who found these contractions
pleasurable will notice a difference in the depth and intensity
of orgasmic function according to The American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists Bulletin on Hysterectomy.
Nerves
and blood vessels may be cut that help attain an orgasm
and engorgement in the pelvic area.
Removal
of Ovaries
The ovaries
produce 50 percent of a woman's testosterone. Removal of
the ovaries prior to menopause will put a woman into post-surgical
menopause and she will have a dramatic decrease in estrogen
production. The loss of the ovaries and the hormones that
they produce may cause difficulty in achieving an orgasm
and clitoral sensitivity may be diminished along with the
intensity of her orgasms.
Incontinence
Surgery
Surgery for
incontinence may cause a woman to loose her ability to have
g-spot orgasms.
Pelvic
Floor Problems
Pelvic floor
prolapse may also create difficulties is achieving orgasms.
Bike
Riding
Some women
complain of numbness in the clitoris from bike riding, which
then makes it difficult to have an orgasm. Consider purchasing
a split seat for your bike or choose another form of exercise.
Treatment
for Orgasmic Dysfunction
Not
Understanding the Female Anatomy
It is important
for a woman to know her body and understand her anatomy.
Does she know where her clitoris is? Has she ever looked
at it with a mirror? Does she know what gives her pleasure
and an orgasm? Once a woman understands her anatomy and
what she likes, she can teach her partner.
Hormones
Estrogen,
testosterone, and/or DHEA may help with orgasmic function.
Medications
If you are
on one of the medications that may cause orgasmic dysfunction,
talk to your doctor about switching to another medication
or even lowering the dose if possible.
EROS
Some women,
especially those who have diminished blood flow to the clitoris
whether from surgery or other causes, find that the EROS
helps them to attain an orgasm.
Lubricants
Extra lubrication may be needed. Astro-glide, Silk-E by
KY, and estrace vaginal cream or vagifem (prescription needed)
may be helpful.
Vibrators
Some women need the extra stimulation of a vibrator to achieve
an orgasm. There are many different types available and
if you go to the homepage of this website there is an icon
that can direct you to different types of toys or vibrators.
It is important to note that sufficient stimulation and
arousal are needed to achieve an orgasm.
Smoking
and Diet
Stop smoking.
It is rough on the arteries and may cause difficulty in
achieving orgasms. Smoking can cause blood vessels to constrict
and decrease blood flow to the pelvic region. The same is
true with high cholesterol, where there is diminished blood
flow and decreased sensation.
Exercise
It is good
for your sex life.
