Female Orgasmic Disorder refers to significant or marked difficulty experiencing orgasm and/or reduced intensity of orgasmic sensations among women. Women that suffer from this disorder often experience difficulty or inability to reach orgasm during sexual stimulation. Unfortunately, many romantic relationships will suffer as a result of this disorder as it typically leads to negative feelings of frustration, anxiety, embarrassment, resentment, and shame. Interestingly, a lot of women that suffer from this disorder do not recognize or even minimize many of the challenges associated with the delay or absence of orgasm during sexual stimulation. In order of a diagnosis of Female orgasmic disorder to be made disturbance must cause marked distress or interpersonal difficulty for it to be diagnosed.

Female Orgasmic Disorder like many other disorders can appear differently in different women. Some women will have difficulty achieving an orgasm, some may not achieve an orgasm, and some women will experience reduced intensity of an orgasm during sexual stimulation. For some women this condition can be brief, limited to certain types of stimulation, partners, environment, and situations (situational). However, for others, female orgasmic disorder can be lifelong, acquired, or resulting from sexual abuse, sexual assault, or other trauma (generalized). Sexual desires and stimulation is individual and unique to the individual that has the opportunity to experience it. The intensity, length, and type of orgasm experienced can vary from woman to woman as well as vary in response to sexual partner, stressful situations, environment, etc., by the same woman. Notably, it is also important to consider whether the difficulty with reaching orgasm is a result of inadequate sexual stimulation.

Potential Symptoms of Female Orgasmic Disorder May Include:

• Inability to achieve an orgasm

• Marked delay in achieving an orgasm

• Inconsistency with reaching an orgasm

• Significant reduction in intensity of an orgasm

• Lack of orgasmic sensations

Potential Causes of Female Orgasmic May Include:

• Sexual abuse, rape, molestation, or other trauma

• Abuse of drugs or alcohol

• Lack of sexual chemistry with partner

• Medication side effects

• Relationship or marital conflict which may lessen sexual desires

• Sexual shyness or embarrassment

• History of gynecological surgeries, such as a hysterectomy

• Advanced or old age

• Stress

• Poor or low self-esteem

• Medical issues such as diabetes

• Cultural or religious beliefs

• Mental health conditions

• Guilt associated with the belief one should not enjoy sex

• Anxiety and concerns about pregnancy

• Unrealistic gender role expectations

Types of Orgasmic Disorder Include:

• General – The sufferer cannot achieve an orgasm under any circumstances

• Situational- The individual can only achieve an orgasm under certain situations, with a specific partner, etc.

• Primary – The individual never experienced an orgasm

• Secondary – The individual experiences marked difficulty experiencing an orgasm, however, they have experienced one before.

Treatments That Can Be Used to Manage or Alleviate Symptoms Associated with Female Orgasmic Disorder Can Include:

• Medication

• Relationship Counseling

• Psychotherapy

• Sex Therapy

• Clitoral stimulation

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Treatment of underlying medical condition(s)

Too often, relationship challenges play a role in sexual dysfunctions so treatment may need to include communication training and relationship enhancement work. A series of couple exercises to practice communication, more effective stimulation, and playfulness can help. It is also important to determine whether or not sexual problems in the relationship are strictly associated with orgasmic disorder, and not a coexisting problem with inhibited sexual desire. When sex is not enjoyable, it can become a chore rather than a mutually satisfying, playful and intimate experience. When orgasmic disorder persists, sexual desire usually declines and frequency of intercourse wanes, often causing resentment and conflict in the relationship.

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