What Is an Orgasmic Disorder?
Written by Jennifer R. Berman, MD   
Orgasmic Disorder is the difficulty or inability to reach orgasm after sufficient sexual stimulation and arousal. The condition includes any difficulty or delay in reaching orgasm that causes the woman personal distress.

The condition is divided into two categories:

  1. Primary: the woman has never achieved orgasm.
  2. Secondary: the woman can no longer achieve orgasm because of surgery, hormone deficiency or trauma.

Potential Causes

For a Primary Orgasmic Disorder, potential causes can include unresolved history of emotional or sexual abuse or trauma unresolved, and general emotional conflicts (e.g. depression, anxiety, low self esteem, poor body image, etc.). Some medical factors that could cause Primary Orgasmic Disorder include medications, and damage to pelvic arteries during surgery

Secondary Orgasmic Disordercan be caused by:

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  • Compromised blood flow
  • Nerve damage (due to pelvic surgery or pelvic injury)
  • Hormone deficiency
  • Emotional/sexual trauma or abuse
  • Relationship conflicts (e.g. issues of anger, trust, lack of stimulation, communication difficulties, etc.)

What Can You Do?

First, decide whether this difficulty is primary orgasmic disorder or secondary orgasmic disorder. This is actually an important question to ask regarding all sexual function complaints. Has it always been this way? Do you remember a time when you didn't have these difficulties? If you have always been struggling, it is particularly important to be certain that there are not historical and/or present emotional or relationship issues contributing to the problem. This can be done by not only looking into your own heart, but by seeking outside help through a qualified general and/or sexual therapist (see The American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists at http://www.aasect.org/ www.aasect.org).

From the medical standpoint, it is crucial to be evaluated because you may be a candidate for treatment. If this is a hormonal issue, hormone replacement may be indicated. If it is it is due to compromised blood flow or nerve damage, there may be some medical interventions that may at least help with response if not totally restore it (e.g. blood flow enhancing agents/devices like Viagra or the EROS-CTD, hormonal creams, etc.).


Additional resources on female sexuality are available from MayoClinic.com:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/kegel-exercises/WO00119
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sexual-health/HA00035
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/womens-health/WO00110
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sexual-health/HQ01363
Last Updated ( Monday, 26 March 2007 )