What is it?
Female orgasmic disorder is the inability to achieve orgasm by some women despite adequate sexual arousal. Women have individual differences in the amount of stimulation needed for them to achieve an orgasm. However, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (IV), when the doctor feels that the woman’s orgasmic capacity is less than what would be expected of a woman of her age and sexual experience, the disorder is diagnosed.
Women having the disorder fall on a scale describing the intensity of the disorder. There are some women who never reach a climax. Then are women who achieve an orgasm only during masturbation, but never with their partners. In the middle range fall women who need stimulation of the clitoris in addition to vaginal stimulation, but are able to climax with their partners. Near the upper range are women who do not need much stimulation to achieve an orgasm.
The disorder can be life long or situational. In the former, the woman has never had an orgasm, either through masturbation or with a partner. In the latter, the disorder is temporary and may be caused due to unconducive situations.
What are the causes?
Science does not clearly understand the brain mechanisms behind the achievement of an orgasm. It is for this reason that the causes for the disorder are not known. More than physiological reasons, psychological reasons have been held responsible for the inability to achieve an orgasm. It most commonly occurs when a woman tries hard to achieve it. When achieving an orgasm becomes a goal for sexual intercourse, the increased pressure works against its achievement.
The mood of the partners during intercourse is also an important determinant of whether they are able to climax or not. If the woman is tensed during the act or the partners have other problems on their mind, achieving an orgasm may become difficult.
What is the treatment?
There is no specific treatment for the disorder. If it is because of dryness of the vagina, lubricants are given which help to make intercourse easier. If psychological help is sought, the partners are asked to relax during the act and enjoy it rather than work towards the achievemtn of an orgasm. The partners should know each other’s preferences and work towards maximizing the pleasure.
Partners are advised to communicate with each other and spend more time in foreplay. This helps to induce adequate lubrication. Other techniques of lovemaking like oral sex and mutual masturbation are advised. The best way to achieve orgasm is to remain positive and relax during sexual intercourse.
