Chapter 17: Sexual disorders and sex therapy

Question 1

Sexual disorder

Answer 1

A problem with sexual response that causes a person mental distress.

Question 2

Lifelong sexual disorder

Answer 2

A sexual disorder that has been present ever since the person began sexual functioning.

Question 3

Acquired sexual disorder

Answer 3

A sexual disorder that develops after a period of normal functioning.

Question 4

Hypoactive sexual desire (HSD)

Answer 4

A sexual disorder in which there is a lack of interest in sexual activity; also termed inhibited sexual desire or low sexual desire.

Question 5

Discrepancy or sexual desire

Answer 5

A sexual disorder in which the partners have considerably different levels of sexual desire.

Question 6

Female sexual interest/arousal disorder

Answer 6

A diagnosis in DSM-5 that encompasses lack of interest in sexual activity and absent or reduced arousal during sexual interactions. The diagnosis is limited to women.

Question 7

Female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD)

Answer 7

A sexual disorder in which there is a lack of response to sexual stimulation.

Question 8

Erectile disorder

Answer 8

The inability to have or maintain an erection.

Question 9

Lifelong erectile disorder

Answer 9

Cases of erectile disorder in which the man has never had an erection sufficient to have intercourse.

Question 10

Acquired erectile disorder

Answer 10

Cases of erectile disorder in which the man at one time was able to have satisfactory erections but can no longer do so.

Question 11

Premature (early) ejaculation

Answer 11

A sexual disorder in which the man ejaculates too soon and thinks he cannot control when he ejaculates. Also called rapid ejaculation.

Question 12

Delayed ejaculation

Answer 12

A sexual disorder in which the man cannot have an orgasm, even though he is highly aroused and has had a great deal of sexual stimulation; also called male orgasmic disorder.

Question 13

Female orgasmic disorder

Answer 13

A sexual disorder in which the woman is unable to have an orgasm.

Question 14

Situational orgasmic disorder

Answer 14

A case of orgasmic disorder in which the woman is able to have an orgasm in some situations but not in others.

Question 15

Dyspareunia

Answer 15

Painful intercourse.

Question 16

Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder

Answer 16

The term in the DSM-5 for pain during sex or vaginismus, which tend to occur together.

Question 17

Vaginismus

Answer 17

A sexual disorder in which there is a spastic contraction of the muscles surrounding the entrance of the vagina, in some cases so severe that intercourse is impossible.

Question 18

Organic factors of sexual disorders

Answer 18

Physical factors, such as disease or injury, that cause sexual disorders.

Question 19

Prior learning

Answer 19

Things that people learned earlier that now affect their sexual response.

Question 20

Immediate causes

Answer 20

Various factors that occur in the act of lovemaking that inhibit sexual response.

Question 21

Cognitive interference

Answer 21

Negative thoughts that distract a person from focusing on the erotic experience.

Question 22

Spectatoring

Answer 22

Masters and Johnson’s term for acting as an observer or judge of one’s own sexual performance; thought to contribute to sexual disorders.

Question 23

Behavior therapy

Answer 23

A system of therapy based on learning theory, in which the focus is on the problem behavior and how it can be modified or changed.

Question 24

Sensate focus exercise

Answer 24

A part of the sex therapy developed by Masters and Johnson in which one partner caresses the other, the other communicates what is pleasurable, and there are no performance demands.

Question 25

Cognitive behavior therapy

Answer 25

A form of therapy that combines behavior therapy and restructuring of negative thought patterns.

Question 26

Mindfulness

Answer 26

The technique of focusing one’s attention on experiences in the present moment in a calm, non-judgmental way.

Question 27

Mindfulness therapy

Answer 27

A system of training people in mindfulness practices; one goal is to help people regulate their own negative emotions.

Question 28

Kegel exercises

Answer 28

A part of sex therapy for women with orgasmic disorder, in which the woman exercises the muscles surrounding the vagina; also called pubococcygeal or PC muscle exercises.

Question 29

Bibliotherapy

Answer 29

The use of a self-help book to treat a disorder.

Question 30

Viagra

Answer 30

A drug used in the treatment of erectile disorder; sildenafil.

Question 31

Penile prosthesis

Answer 31

A surgical treatment of erectile dysfunction, in which inflatable tubes are inserted into the penis.