Sexual arousal disorder
Sexual arousal disorder is a disorder found in the DSM-IV that is generally defined as the inability to attain or maintain typical responses to sexual arousal.
Signs and symptoms
The term is often used to diagnose women (as the term erectile dysfunction (ED) is often used for men), particularly those with sexual symptoms such as:
- Lack of vaginal lubrication
- Lack of vaginal dilation or lengthening
- Decreased genital tumescence
- Decreased genital or nipple sensation
Contrary to popular belief, the disorder is not always caused from a lack of sexual arousal. Possible causes of sexual arousal disorder include psychological and emotional factors, such as depression, anger, and stress; relationship factors, such as conflict or lack of trust; and medical factors, such as depleted hormones, reduced regional blood flow, and nerve damage.
Diagnosis
It is, therefore, important for a licensed psychologist to first remove doubt of psychological or emotional problems, a trained sex therapist to then remove doubt of relationship concerns, and a medical doctor to further investigate medical causes.
Treatment
Depending on the cause of the disorder, hormone therapy or a blood-flow enhancing medication, like Viagra, may be appropriate.
A new medication, bremelanotide (formerly PT-141), is directly increasing sexual desire in both males and females, and is currently in clinical tests. A scientific study on bremelanotide is available at PNAS 101: 10201 (2004).