Sexual Dysfunction

Abstract Sexual problems can be broadly conceptualized as the inability to exhibit a sexual response or experience sexual pleasure. For such problems to be diagnosed as a sexual dysfunction, the concerns need to be further identified as personally distressing. The DSM-5 recognizes seven sexual problems: female interest/arousal disorder, male hypoactive sexual desire disorder, erectile disorder, premature (early) ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, female orgasmic disorder, and genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder. Although individuals may present with a range of sexual problems, DSM-5 recognizes only three major categories of sexual dysfunction: interest/arousal, orgasm, and pain. This chapter reviews each sexual dysfunction, with a specific focus on the diagnostic criteria and prevalence rates, as well as known psychological and biological etiological factors.