Sexual disorders are disorders of deviant sexuality and are related to a particular phase of sexual response cycle. It includes problems of sexual identity, sexual performance, and sexual aim. Sexual disorders are closely related to mental health as they affect the person’s day-to-day activities and the normal functioning of their routine.
Sexual activities being related to the mind sexual disorders in individuals include both physiological and psychological symptoms. It causes distress among them and affects their mental health severely.
Classification of Sexual disorders:
Sexual Dysfunction refers to a decrease in an individual’s sexual performance or the reduction of physiological changes brought on usually by sexual performance. These dysfunctions can be diagnosed only when the particular disability persists or due to a temporary factor like fatigue, alcohol and drugs.
They are categorized as:
- Hypoactive sexual desire is a disorder that involves chronic lack of interest in sexual activity.
- Sexual Aversion disorder refers to persistent or recurrent phobic avoidance of sexual contact with the partner.
- Sexual Arousal disorder relates to the inability to attain or maintain the sexual excitement.
- Orgasm disorder in women includes chronic inability or difficulty in attaining orgasm after arousal.
- Sexual pain disorder is related to pain during sexual intercourse.
Paraphilia - relates to recurrent fantasies, urges, or behaviors of sexual nature involving object scenarios material that can harm self or others. Many people tend to regard such people who display such deviant practices as monsters who should be punished and treated to avoid further harm and other abusive practices. Such people should be closely monitored as such acts affect their mental health and can be the result of mental disorders.
Gender identity disorder - occurs in an individual who experiences vagueness, conflict, and confusion about their own sexual identity. There is a struggle between an individual’s present gender and his personal feelings to choose between a masculine or feminine style of life or what arouses sexual feelings in them. Persons with gender identity disorder have problem with all aspects related to identity.
Effects of Sexual Disorder:
Health problems and hormonal imbalance cause sexual disorders. Mental health and problems in daily life also have an impact on sexual health of a person. Sexual disorders lead to disturbance of mental health relating to anxiety and worry that affects martial relationships leading to frustration and depression.
They can also become victims of shame which could also affect their pride and ego. Sexual disorders make the person feel stressed, frustrated, confused, and has an impact on the overall health of the person.
Treatment:
You do not have to be plagued by sexual disorders forever as they can be treated and these are the following procedures to be followed.
Medical Treatment - If the underlying cause of sexual disorder involves medical attention it should be immediately treated to avid further diseases. An effective treatment helps in restoring normalcy to mental health as well as in your sexual relationships.
Getting Psychological Help - and mental health therapy proves beneficial if the disorder originates from psychological source such as Hypoactive sexual disorder. Sex therapist and professional counselors can help in cases related to sexual abuse, anxiety, and fear.
Being patient - Certain medical conditions such as cancer and other diseases are related to sexual disorders and can affect an individual’s relationship. However, being patient and an open communication between both partners about their sexual disorders or dysfunctions is an important step in treating mental health problems and disorders.
Smoking, and drinking alcohol - hinders your treatment and your sexual functioning
Educate yourself - about your body and sexual changes that take place with time. Knowing about your body and the changes, helps you analyze take proper treatment and prevent you from the anxiety of sexual disorder.
Medications - should only be taken under prescription from the doctor as they have side effects causing disturbances in mental health.
Sexual disorders may not always be preventable but they are definitely treatable. Communication between partners, proper medication, and supervision by the doctor and being patient with time paves the way for good sexual health and good mental health.