Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sexual Dysfunction

  • Chapter
Handbook of Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health

Part of the book series: Issues in Women’s Health ((WOHI))

Abstract

The end of the twentieth century bombards us with explicit sexuality as part of daily discourse. Art, journalism, the Internet, and movies routinely reveal the erotic exploits of both famous and infamous individuals. Cultural historians in the next century may be surprised to discover that actual comfort with sex and effortless performance tended to be rather rare, regardless, and perhaps because, of the public spectacle.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Altman, M. (1984). Everything they always wanted you to know: The ideology of popular sex literature. In C. S. Vance (Ed.), Pleasure and danger: Exploring female sexuality (pp. 115–130). Boston: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, B. L., & Cyranowski, J. M. (1995). Women’s sexuality: Behaviors, responses, and individual differences. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63(6), 891–906.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, F., Abbey, A., & Halman, L. (1992). Is fertility-problem stress different? The dynamics of stress in fertile and infertile couples. Fertility and Sterility, 57, 1247–1253.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bancroft, J. (1980). Androgens and sexual behavior in women using oral contraceptives. Clinical Endocrinology, 12, 327–340.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bancroft, J., & Wu, F. C. W. (1983). Changes in erectile responsiveness during androgen replacement therapy. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 12, 59–68.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barbach, L. (1975). For yourself: The fulfillment of female sexuality. New York: Doubleday.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlik, B., Kaplan, P., Kaminetsky, J., Roentsch, G., & Goldberg, J. (1999a). Medications with the potential to enhance sexual responsivity in women. Psychiatric Annals, 29(1), 46–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlik, B., Legere, R., & Andersson, L. (1999b). The combined use of sex therapy and testosterone replacement therapy for women. Psychiatric Annals, 29(10), 27–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, J. G. (1995). Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: An overview. Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology, 63(6), 919–927.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beggs, V. E., Calhoun, K. S. & Wolchik, S. A. (1987). Sexual anxiety and female sexual arousal: A comparison of arousal during sexual anxiety stimuli and sexual pleasure stimuli. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 16, 311–319.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Consensus panel conference report on female sexual dysfunction: Definitions, classification & outcomes (1998, October). Sexual Health Council, American Foundation of Urology.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crenshaw, T. L. (1985). The sexual aversion syndrome. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 11(4), 285–292.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Daniluk, J. C. (1998). Women’s sexuality across the life span: Challenging myths, creating meanings. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeAmicis, L., Goldberg, D. C., LoPiccolo, J., Friedman, J., & Davies, L. (1985). Clinical follow-up on couples treated for sexual dysfunction. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 150, 197–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Silva, P. (1993). Sexual problems in women with eating disorders. In J. Ussher & C. Barker (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on sexual problems (pp. 79–109). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drugs that cause sexual dysfunction: An update. (1992). The Medical Letter on Drugs & Therapeutics, 34(Aug. 7, 876), 73–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, K. M., Croft, P. R., & Hackett, G. I. (1998). Sexual problems: A study of the prevalence and need for health care in the general population. Family Practice, 15(6), 519–524.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eichel, E., Eichel, J., & Kule, S. (1988). The technique of coital alignment and its relation to female orgasmic response and simultaneous orgasm. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 14(2), 129.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberg, A. (1999). A boost to research of women’s sexuality. The New York Times, 7/13/99, F7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagan, P., Schmidt, C., & Rock, J. (1986). Sexual functioning and psychological evaluation of in vitro fertilization transfer. Fertility and Sterility, 46, 668–672.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fordney, D. S. (1978). Dyspareunia and vaginismus. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 21, 205–221.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, E., Boxer, A., Rickels, K., Tureck, R., & Mastroianni, L. (1985). Psychological evaluation and support in a program of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Fertility and Sterility, 46, 668–672.

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, E., Garcia, C., & Rickels, K. (1983). Behavioral and emotional factors: Comparisons of anovulatory infertile women with fertile and other infertile women. Fertility and Sterility, 40, 195–201.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Freud, S. (1931). Female sexuality. Standard Edition, 22, 226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galyer, K. T., Conaglen, H. M., Hare, A., & Conaglen, J. V. (1999). The effect of gynecological surgery on sexual desire. Journal of Sexual & Marital Health, 25, 81–88.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Garde, K., & Lunde, I. (1980). Female sexual behavior: A study in a random sample of 40 year old women. Maturitas, 2, 225–240.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gawande, Atul, (1999, July). A queasy feeling. The New Yorker, 7/5/99, 34–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gitlin, M. (1994). Psychotropic medications and their effects on sexual function: Diagnosis, biology and treatment approaches. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 55(9), 406–413.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Golding, J. M., Wilsnack, S. C., & Learman, L. A. (1998). Prevalence of sexual assault history among women with common gynecological symptoms. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 179(4), 1013–1019.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, I., & Berman, J. R. (1998). Vasculogenic female sexual dysfunction: Vaginal engorgement and clitoral erectile insufficiency syndrome. International Journal of Impotence Research, 10, S84–90.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberger, P. (1999). Annual update on women’s health research, discoveries and implications. Address given at The Society for Women’s Health Research’s eighth annual scientific advisory meeting, Washington DC: November 2, 1998. Quoted in SWHR’s website

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, J. (1998). Sex acts: Practices of femininity and masculinity. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heiman, J. R., & Grafton-Becker, V. (1989) Orgasmic disorders in women. In S. R. Leiblum, & R. C. Rosen (Eds.), Principles and practice of sex therapy; Update for the 90s (pp. 51–88). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurlbert, D. F., Apt, C., & Rabehl, S. M. (1993). Key variables to understanding female sexual satisfaction: An examination of women in nondistressed marriages. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 19(2), 154–165.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hurlbert, D. F (1991). The role of assertiveness in female sexuality. A comparative study between sexually assertive and sexually nonassertive women. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 17, 183–190.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, H. S. (1974). The new sex therapy. New York: Brunner-Mazel.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, H. S. (1977). Hypoactive sexual desire. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 3, 3–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, H. S. (1988). Intimacy disorders and sexual panic states. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 14(10), 3–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, H. S. (1992a). A neglected issue: The sexual side effects of current treatments for breast cancer. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 18, 3–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, H. S. (1992b). Does the CAT technique enhance female orgasm? Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 18(4), 285–302.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, H. S., Fyer, A. J., & Novick, A. (1982). The treatment of sexual phobias: The combined use of antipanic medications and sex therapy. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 8(1), 3–28.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, R. C., Gipson, M. T., Kearl, A., & Kriskovich, M. (1989). Assessing sexual aversion in college students: The Sexual Aversion Scale. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 15, 135–140.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, R. C., Gipson, M. T., & Turner, S. (1992). Brief report: Recent findings on the Sexual Aversion Scale. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 18, 141–145.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, M. P., Strassberg, D. S., & Kircher, J. R. (1990). Attitudinal and experiential correlates of anorgasmia. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 19, 165–172.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kinzel, J. F., Traweger, C., & Biebl, W. (1995). Sexual dysfunctions: Relationship to childhood sexual abuse and early family experiences in a nonclinical sample. Child Abuse & Neglect, 19(1), 785–792.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Labbate, L. A., Grimes, J., Hines, A., Olehansky, M. A., & Arana, G. W. (1998). Sexual dysfunction induced by selective serotonin reuptake antidepressants. Journal of Sexual & Marital Therapy, 24, 3–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Laumann, E., Paik, A., & Rosen, R. (1999). Sexual dysfunction in the United States: Prevalence, predictors, and outcomes. Journal of the American Medical Association, 281(6), 537–544.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, A. (1989). Dyspareunia: A multimodal psychotherapeutic perspective. In S. Leiblum, & R. Rosen. (Eds.), Principles and practice of sex therapy: An update for the 1990s (pp. 92–111). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J. R. (1997). Natural progesterone: The multiple roles of a remarkable hormone. Sebastopol, CA: BLL Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leiblum, S. R. (1999). Critical overview of new consensus-based definitions and classification system. Paper presented at Female Sexual Dysfunction Conference, Boston, October.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leiblum, S. (1998). Definition and classification of female sexual disorders. International Journal of Impotence Research: Basic & Clinical Studies, 10, S104–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leiblum, S. R. (1996a). Sexual pain disorders. Treatment of psychiatric disorders: The DSM, 4th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leiblum, S. R. (1996b). Love, sex, and infertility: The impact of infertility on couples. In S. R. Leiblum (Ed.), Infertility: Psychological issues and counseling strategies. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leiblum, S. R. (1995). Relinquishing virginity: The treatment of a complex case of vaginismus. In R. Rosen, & S. Leiblum (Eds.), Case studies in sex therapy (pp. 250–263). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leiblum, S. R., Pervin, L. A., & Campbell, E. H. (1989). The treatment of vaginismus: Success and failure. In S. Leiblum, & R. Rosen (Eds.), Principles and practice of sex therapy: Update for the 90s. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leiblum, S. R., Kemmann, E., & Lane, M. (1987). The psychological concomitants of in vitro fertilization. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, 6, 166–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lobitz, W. C., & Lobitz, G. K. (1996). Resolving the sexual intimacy paradox: A developmental model for treating sexual desire disorders. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 22(2), 71–84.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masters, W. H., & Johnson, V. E. (1970). Human sexual inadequacy. Boston: Little, Brown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mature sexuality: A new provider and consumer education initia tive on sexuality and mid-life to older adulthood (1999). Press release from the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals in conjunction with the Society for Women’s Health Research. SWHR website:

    Google Scholar 

  • McGahuey, C. A., Delgado, P. L., & Gelenberg, A.J. (1999). Assessment of sexual dysfunction using the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) and implications for the treatment of depression. Psychiatric Annals, 29(1), 39–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meana, M., & Binik, Y. (1994). Painful coitus: A review of female dyspareunia. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 182(5), 264–272.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meana, M., Binik, Y. M., Khalife, S., & Cohen, D. (1999). Psychosocial correlates of pain attributions in women with dyspareunia. Psychosomatics, 40(6), 497–502.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michael, R. T., Gagnon, J. H., Laumann. E., & Kolata, G. (1994). Sex in America: A definitive survey. Boston: Little Brown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palace, E. M., & Gorzalka, B. B. (1992). Differential patterns of arousal and sexually functional and dysfunctional women. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 99, 403–411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, K., Goldstein, I., Andry, C., Siroky, M. B., Krane, R. J., & Azadzoi, K. M. (1997). Vasculogenic female sexual dysfunction: The hemodynamic basis for vaginal engorgement insufficiency and clitoral erectile insufficiency. International Journal of Impotence Research, 9, 27–37.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parron, D. L. (1999). National Institute of Mental Health annual update on women’s health research: Discoveries and implications. SWHR website:

    Google Scholar 

  • Pietropinto, A. (1988). Male contributions to female sexual dysfunction. Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality, 20(12), 84–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Physicians’ Desk Reference (2001). Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Platt, L., & Leiblum, S. R. (1994). Infertile men and infertile women. A psychosocial comparison. Poster presented at the meeting of the American Society of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington DC, November.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rako, S. (1999). Testosterone deficiency and supplementation for women: Matters of sexuality and health. Psychiatric Annals, 29(1), 23–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reichman, J. (1998). I’m not in the mood: What every woman should know about improving her libido. New York: William Morrow.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renshaw, D. C. (1996). Sexuality. In J. Sadavoy, & L. W. Lazarus (Eds.), Comprehensive review of geriatric psychotherapy (pp. 419–432). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reissing, E. D., Binik, Y. M., & Khalife, S. (1999). Does vaginismus exist? A critical review of the literature. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 187(5), 261–274.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richgels, P. B. (1992). Hypoactive sexual desire in heterosexual women: A feminist analysis. Women & Therapy, 12(1/2), 123–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, R. C., Lane, R. L., & Menza, M. (1999a). Effects of SSRIs on sexual function: A critical review. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 19(1), 67–85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, R. C., & Leiblum, S. R. (1995). Treatment of sexual disorders in the 1990s: An integrated approach. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63(6), 877–890.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen, R. C., Taylor, J., Leiblum, S., & Bachmann, G. (1993). Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women. Results of a survey study of 329 women in an outpatient gynecological clinic. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 19(3), 171–188.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosen R. C., & Beck J. G. (1988). Patterns of sexual arousal: Psychophysiological processes and clinical applications. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarwer, D. B., & Durlak, J. A. (1996). Childhood sexual abuse as a predictor of adult female sexual dysfunction. Child Abuse & Neglect, 20(10), 963–972.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schreiner-Engel, P., & Schiavi, R. (1986). Lifetime psychopathology in individuals with low sexual desire. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorders, 174, 646–651.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schreiner-Engel, P., Schiavi, R. C., Smith, H., & White, D. (1991). The relationship between pituitary-gonadal function and sexual behavior in healthy aging men. Psychosomatic Medicine, 53(4), 363–374.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schoever, L. R., & Leiblum, S. R. (1994). The stagnation of sex therapy. Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, 6, 5–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Segraves, R. T. (1988). Psychiatric drugs and inhibited female orgasm. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 14, 202–207.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Segraves, R. T., & Segraves, K. B. (1991). Diagnosis of female arousal disorder. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 6, 9–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sherwin, B. B., & Gelfand, M. M. (1985). Sex steroids and affect in the surgical menopause: A double-blind, cross-over study. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 10, 325.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sipski, M. L., & Alexander, C. (1998) Sexuality and disability. In J. DeLisa, & B. Gans (Eds.), Rehabilitation medicine: Principles and practice, 3rd ed. (pp. 1197–1229). Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spector, I. P., & Carey, M. P. (1990). Incidence and prevalence of the sexual dysfunctions: A critical review of the empirical literature. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 19(4), 389–408.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steege, J., & Ling, F. W. (1993). Dyspareunia: A special type of chronic pelvic pain. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North American, 20, 779–793.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Studd, J. W. W., Collins, W. P., Chakravarti, S., Newton, J. R., Oram, D., & Parsons, A. (1977). Oestradiol and testosterone implants in the treatment of psychosexual problems in postmenopausal women. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 84, 314–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toner, R. (1999). A majority over 45 say sex lives are just fine. The New York Times, 8/4/99, A17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trudel, G., Ravart, M., & Matte, B. (1993). The use of the multiaxial diagnostic systems for sexual dysfunctions in the assessment of hypoactive sexual desire. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 19(2), 123–130.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wallen, K., & Lovejoy, J. (1993). Sexual behavior: Endocrine function and therapy. In J. Schulkin (Ed.), Hormonally induced changes in mind and brain (pp. 71–97). San Diego: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warnock, J. K., Bundren, J. C., & Morris, D. W (1997). Female hypoactive sexual desire disorder due to androgen deficiency: Clinical and psychometric issues. Psychopharmacology Bulletin, 33(4), 761–765.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whipple, B., & Komisaruk, B. R. (1999). Beyond the G spot: Recent research of female sexuality. Psychiatric Annals, 29(1), 34–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, N., & Leiblum, S. R. (1997). Treatment of orgasmic dysfunction in women. In J. J. Sciarra (Ed.), Gynecology and obstetrics, rev. ed. Philadelphia: Lippin-cott-Raven.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, N., Loeb, K., Boudette, R., Cortese, K., Logue, N., McEneaney, A., & Nolet, W (1999). The body has two appetites: Eating disorders and sexual dysfunction. Presentation at The Human Sexuality Program, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, January.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wincze, J. P., & Carey, M. P. (1991). Sexual dysfunction: A guide for assessment and treatment. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Highland Park, NJ, 08904, USA

    Nina Williams

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson University of Medicine and Dentistry, Piscataway, New Jersey, 08855, USA

    Sandra L. Leiblum

Authors
  1. Nina Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sandra L. Leiblum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Gina M. Wingood ScD, MPH  & Ralph J. DiClemente PhD  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2002 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Williams, N., Leiblum, S.L. (2002). Sexual Dysfunction. In: Wingood, G.M., DiClemente, R.J. (eds) Handbook of Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health. Issues in Women’s Health. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0689-8_16

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0689-8_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-5196-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-0689-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation