What they are
Human sexuality is composite and complex, and consequently, so are the issues related to it. These, in fact, can affect every phase of sexuality (desire, arousal, orgasm). Furthermore, multiple sexological issues can present simultaneously and in relation to each other, involve multiple levels, and be interconnected.
Often, these issues do not remain confined to the sexual sphere, but interact with the person’s overall well-being in various areas of life (emotionality, relationships, functioning, …) and can present both as a cause and as a result of difficulties arising in other areas of individual or couple life.
Given this complexity, a thorough and comprehensive identification and definition of sexological issues is of primary importance. This is indeed essential for the possibility of identifying the most suitable type of intervention for each specific situation.
The sexual issues currently identified (DSM-V, 2013) are the following:
Sexual desire disorders
- Female sexual interest/arousal disorder
- Male hypoactive sexual desire disorder
Arousal phase disorders
- Erectile disorder
- Female sexual interest/arousal disorder (which affects both sexual desire and the arousal phase)
Orgasm phase disorders
- Premature ejaculation
- Delayed ejaculation
- Female orgasmic disorder
Sexual pain disorders
- Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder
