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.