Female orgasmic disorder (FOD) is nothing but delayed, infrequent, or absent orgasm (sexual climax) despite sufficient stimulation and adequate emotional and mental sexual arousal. This term is used to describe a marked decrease in orgasm intensity.
Symptoms
- Never experienced an orgasm
- Having had orgasms in the past, but now having trouble reaching orgasm
- Having trouble getting orgasm in certain situations
- Having markedly less frequent orgasms than previously experienced
Causes:
FOD may stem from physical, psychological, or relationship issues. As women age, their estrogen and testosterone levels decrease, which can lead to a decline in orgasm intensity. Chronic conditions and gynecological diseases/disorders may change the sensations a woman experiences during sex, potentially making it more painful and decreasing the likelihood of orgasm.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of orgasmic disorder is clinical, based on criteria below:
Treatment:
- Self-stimulation
- Psychologic therapies
Data support encouraging self-stimulation (masturbation). First-line treatment of female orgasmic disorders is directed masturbation, which involves a series of prescribed exercises.
- A vibrator placed on the mons pubis close to the clitoris may help, as may increasing the number and intensity of stimuli.
- Education about sexual function (need to stimulate other areas of the body before the clitoris) may help.
- Sex therapy
- Psychologic therapies (cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychotherapy)
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) can help women pay attention to sexual sensations (by staying in the moment) and not judging or monitoring these sensations.