Sex may permeate our popular culture, but conversations about it are still associated with stigma and shame in Indian households. As a result, most people dealing with sexual health issues or trying to find information about sex often resort to unverified online sources or follow the unscientific advice of their friends.
To address the widespread misinformation about sex, News18.com publishes this weekly sex column every Friday entitled “Let’s Talk Sex.” With this column, we hope to spark conversations about sex and tackle sexual health issues with scientific insight and nuance.
The column is written by sexologist Prof (Dr) Saransh Jain. In today’s column, Dr. Jain explains anorgasmia, including its symptoms, causes, and available treatments.
Every woman has struggled to reach orgasm at some point. Usually they are just inexperienced and assume that if something is going to happen, it will. But if you’ve tried different methods and orgasms still elude you, you could have a condition known as anorgasmia.
Orgasms are an intense feeling of liberation during sexual stimulation. They can vary in intensity, duration and frequency. Anorgasmia is the medical term for difficulty reaching orgasm on a regular basis despite adequate sexual stimulation.
Anorgasmia can be caused by several factors; therefore, treatment varies from case to case. However, research has shown that many women with anorgasmia have successful sex lives after treatment.
What are the symptoms of anorgasmia?
The main symptom of anorgasmia is the inability to reach a sexual climax. Other symptoms include unsatisfactory orgasms and taking longer than usual to climax. Women with anorgasmia may also have trouble reaching orgasm during masturbation.
Anorgasmia is classified into four types:
† Primary Anorgasmia: A condition where you have never had an orgasm.
† Secondary Anorgasmia: Difficulty reaching an orgasm, even if you’ve had one before.
† Situational Anorgasmia: The most common type of anorgasmia, it occurs when you can only orgasm during specific situations, such as oral sex or masturbation.
† General Anorgasmia: An inability to reach orgasm under any circumstance, even when you are very aroused and sexual stimulation is sufficient.
What are the causes of anorgasmia?
It can be difficult to determine the underlying cause of anorgasmia. Women may have difficulty reaching orgasm due to physical, emotional, or psychological factors. Sometimes a combination of these factors can be the cause. The inability to orgasm can lead to anxiety, which can make it even more difficult to achieve orgasm in the future.
Psychological causes
Psychological factors play a role in your ability to orgasm, including:
• Mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression
• Bad body image
• Poor communication about sexual needs and preferences
• Stress and financial pressure
• Shame
• Guilty of enjoying sex
• Past sexual or emotional abuse
• Lack of connection with your partner
Physical Causes
Illnesses, physical changes and medication can also interfere with your orgasm.
• Older age: As you get older, normal changes in your anatomy, hormones, neurological system, and circulation can affect your ability to orgasm.
• Health Conditions: There are many medical conditions that can cause anorgasmia such as diabetes, hypertension, meningitis, vascular disease, chronic pain, etc.
• Medications: Many prescription and over-the-counter medications can inhibit orgasm, including blood pressure medications, antipsychotics, antihistamines, and antidepressants.
• Gynecological problems: Surgeries such as hysterectomy or cancer surgery can affect reaching orgasm.
• Smoking and alcohol: Too much alcohol can hinder your ability to climax. Smoking can restrict blood flow to your genitals.
How Is Anorgasmia Diagnosed?
If you think you may have anorgasmia, you should make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor can diagnose your condition and recommend an appropriate treatment plan for you. They will ask you some questions about your sexual history and do a physical exam. Your answers and exam results may reveal underlying causes or factors for anorgasmia.
How is anorgasmia treated?
Anorgasmia is best treated by a sexual therapist, who is a specialist in dealing with sexual dysfunction, and who would initially confirm the diagnosis with several tests. Treatment for anorgasmia depends on the cause of the condition. It can be treated with:
• Lifestyle changes and sexual practices
• Minimize stress and anxiety
• Try different techniques of sexual stimulation
• Kegel exercises
• Use of devices such as vacuum pumps and vibrators
• Cognitive therapy, a form of behavioral therapy that promotes changes in one’s ideas and attitudes toward sexual activity
• Suggest counseling to enable them to deal with any problems in the relationship, at home and in the bedroom
• Women can receive hormonal therapy to address any hormonal imbalances. Estrogen therapy has been shown to increase blood flow to the genital area, making it more sensitive. This can be in the form of pills or a patch. Testosterone therapy may also be considered.
Some over-the-counter (OTC) products such as arousal oils and nutritional supplements can also help with anorgasmia. However, talk to your doctor before using any OTC products or medications. They can cause an allergic reaction or interfere with other medications you are taking.
If you are satisfied with the peak of your sexual activities, then there is no need to worry. However, if you are bothered by the lack of orgasm or the intensity of your orgasm, talk to your doctor about anorgasmia.
Read all the latest news, breaking news and live updates from the parliamentary elections here.