Sexual disorders are conditions that prevent people from having rich and fulfilling sexual relationships. These disorders involve problems related to sexual functioning, desire or performance.

There are three major categories of sexual disorders:

• Sexual dysfunctions. Persistent or recurrent problems that occur during sexual response. These include low sexual desire disorders, sexual arousal disorders, orgasmic disorders, sexual pain disorders, and secondary and other sexual dysfunctions.
  
  
• Paraphilias. A class of sexual disorder that involves behavior most people find distasteful, unusual or abnormal. They produce clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of psychosocial functioning. Some of these disorders can also be criminal acts. The most prominent examples are pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism and frotteurism.
  
  
• Gender identity disorders. Involve feelings of strong identification with the gender opposite to that of the person. There is some controversy in the psychological community whether gender identity issues should still be regarded as sexual disorders.

Emotional, psychological and physical factors can all contribute to the development of sexual disorders. Symptoms associated with some sexual disorders include lack of interest in or desire for sex, difficulty becoming aroused and pain during intercourse.

Temporary sexual dysfunctions may not require consultation with a physician. However, when a patient is bothered by a sexual disorder, when sex causes pain or when significant distress or impairment in psychosocial functioning persists, consulting a physician may be helpful. During diagnosis, the patient may undergo a complete physical examination. The patient’s medical history and results of psychological testing may provide important clues to the nature of the disorder that is present.

Treatment options vary depending on the nature of the suspected sexual disorder. In some cases, a physical problem can be treated with medical procedures. Medications and psychotherapy can also be beneficial for some patients.