What Are the Different Types of Sexual Dysfunction & Disorders?

October 29, 2025
Somerset Urological Associates

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Sexual dysfunction is a commonly occurring problem that affects both men and women. With various causes, it can vary from case to case. Stemming from physical conditions, medical problems, and even psychological ailments, sexual dysfunction and disorders can be difficult for the everyday person to understand. There are four main categories of sexual dysfunction, which helps us explain and narrow down the causes. Understanding these dysfunctions can be crucial, especially when it comes to the patients self-confidence and psyche. Let us shed some light on what these different dysfunctions and disorders can mean.

Desire Disorders

Desire disorders are those that affect the sexual desires and drive of the afflicted. Characterized by a lack of interest in sex, desire disorders are also known as libido disorders or low libido. In men, it can be caused by a low level of testosterone. In women, a low level of estrogen can affect the libido. It can also be caused by various different medical and physical conditions including:

Hormone Fluctuation
Diabetes and Heart Disease
Fatigue
Depression and Anxiety
Relationship Problems

There are other factors to consider, both psychological and physical, but these are the leading issues for these libido-based sexual disorders. While these may be trickier to diagnose, your specialist will be able to sit down with you and discuss what may causing the sexual desire disorder and recommend a course of treatment.

Arousal Disorders

Arousal disorders can affect both men and women equally. These sexual dysfunctions make it exceedingly difficult, in many cases even impossible, for the patient to become aroused during sexual activity. It is not the lack of desire for sexual activity, rather it is the inability to feel any physical pleasure from it. This can because by depression, anger, drug use, medical conditions, reduced regional blood flow, and other things. The most common and well-known arousal disorder is erectile dysfunction, which is characterized by a man being unable to get an erection during sexual activity. There are several treatments for erectile dysfunction, including therapy and prescription based treatments.

Orgasm Disorders

More common in women, orgasm disorders can exist in both men and women. This is a sexual dysfunction in which somebody is unable to reach orgasm or it is severely delayed during sexual activity. It can also be attributed to experiencing pain during sexual activity, especially in women who cannot become aroused. Some of the causes include stress, fatigue, hormone fluctuation, and low libido. All of these, and other causes, can lead to delayed or absent orgasm.

Pain Disorders

Pain disorders exist in those who experience a certain amount of pain during any sexual intercourse. For women, this can be caused by various different afflictions such as vaginismus, vaginal dryness, and UTIs. In men, these sexual disorders can be caused by UTIs, prostatitis, skin conditions, STDs, Peyronie’s Disease, and other causes. The pain from these pain disorders can also lead to other sexual disorders such as orgasm disorders or arousal disorders.

How Somerset Urological Associates Can Help

Sexual dysfunction can be painful, both physically and mentally. A confusing and often untalked about issue, our goal is to let you know that you are not alone. Some studies show that 1 in 4 people suffer from some form of sexual dysfunction. We at Somerset Urological Associates can help you every step of the way, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms that we have listed above, contact us today to set up an appointment. Let us help you get your sex life, relationship, and confidence back on track.