Description: Failure of a female to
respond to sexual stimulus; aversion on the part of a woman to sexual
intercourse; failure of a female to achieve an orgasm (anorgasmia)
during sexual intercourse. Also known as Inhibited sexual desire (ISD).
Persons most commonly affected: Women of all ages.
Organ or part of body involved: Female Sexual System
Symptoms and indications:
Frigidity has three distinct symptoms: does not enjoy sexual response
(with a specific partner, or generally), can achieve sexual arousal only
with difficulty (hyposexuality) and
cannot achieve orgasm (anorgasmia)
Causes and risk factors:
ISD is a very common sexual disorder. The most common cause of ISD seems
to be relationship problems wherein one partner does not feel
emotionally intimate or close to their mate. Communication problems,
lack of affection that is not associated with continuing into sexual
intercourse, power struggles and conflicts, and a lack of time alone
together are common factors. ISD may also be associated with a very
restrictive upbringing concerning sex, negative attitudes toward sex, or
negative or traumatic sexual experiences (such as rape, incest, or
sexual abuse). Physical illnesses and some medications may also
contribute to ISD, particularly when they produce fatigue, pain, or
general feelings of malaise. Hormone deficiencies may occasionally be
implicated. Psychological conditions such as depression and excessive
stress may inhibit sexual interest. Disturbed dietary mineral intakes
may undermine sexual desire. Commonly overlooked factors include
insomnia or inadequate amounts of sleep, resulting in fatigue. ISD may
also be associated with other sexual dysfunctions, and sometimes may be
caused by them. For example, the woman who is unable to have orgasm or
has pain with intercourse, or the man who has erection problems
(impotence) or retarded ejaculation, may lose interest in sex because it
is commonly associated with failure or is not very pleasurable. As
women age beyond their child-bearing years, their interest in sex may
begin to decline. This may lead to frigidity. The frigidity may cause
problems in a relationship where the male partner continues to seek an
active sexual experience with his partner. Individuals who were victims
of childhood sexual abuse or rape, and persons whose marriages are
lacking in emotional intimacy are particularly at risk of ISD.
Prevention: One major
way of preventing ISD is to reserve time for nonsexual intimacy with
one\'s partner. Couples, who reserve weekly talk time and time for a
weekly date alone without the kids, will maintain a closer relationship
and are more likely to feel sexual interest. Couples should also detach
sex and affection, so that neither one is afraid to be affectionate on a
daily basis, fearing that it will be interpreted as an invitation to
proceed to intercourse.
Reading books or taking courses in couple communication, or reading
books about massage may also encourage feelings of closeness. For some
individuals, reading novels or viewing movies with romantic or sexual
content may also serve to encourage sexual desire.
For too many couples, sex gets what is left over late at night.
Regularly reserving \"prime time,\" before exhaustion sets in, for both
talking and sexual intimacy may encourage closeness and sexual desire.
No comments:
Post a Comment