A sexologist explains what anorgasmia is.
Orgasm is a feeling of very strong pleasure resulting from sexual stimulation. Some people describe this feeling as a strong release of energy. This may be accompanied by body movements that you have no control over. Orgasms vary in intensity and duration. Some people are able to achieve this state quickly, others need more stimulation.
Anorgasmia, or orgasmic disorder, is the absence of orgasm, infrequent orgasm, or a significant delay in achieving orgasm. Orgasm disorder occurs when a person has difficulty achieving orgasm, even if they have a satisfactory sex life. This disorder can lead to other mental health problems, such as chronic stress, problems in partner relationships, anxiety disorders and mood disorders. It is a type of sexual disorder that affects both women and men, but is more common among women. It is estimated that between 10% and 15% of women have never experienced orgasm, and only 65% of women orgasm always or almost always during sexual stimulation (for men, the figure is 95%)
Sexologist on types of orgasmic disorders
If someone has noticed difficulties in achieving orgasm, and these difficulties appear in most situations of sexual arousal, or has never achieved this state, it is worth visiting a sexologist in Krakow for a more accurate diagnosis. A sexologist will help determine the type of this disorder. Anorgasmia can be described as generalized or situational. Generalized anorgasmia affects a person in all conditions, during various sexual stimulations and with any partner. Situational anorgasmia, on the other hand, may affect a woman during selected types of stimulation, in
selected situations or only with selected partners.
When diagnosing anorgasmia, the specialist will also help determine whether the disorder is acquired or lifelong. Acquired anorgasmia usually occurs in women after a period of relatively satisfactory sexual activity, and can be misunderstood and very stressful for the woman.
The severity of the disorder is also important information for the sexologist. It should be determined whether the disorder is mild, moderate or severe. When anorgasmia is severe, a woman experiences extreme suffering due to the disorder, which may lead to disorders in other areas of life.
Causes of anorgasmia in women.
There can be many causes of anorgasmia in women. To discover them and find the source of the problem, it is necessary to visit a sexologist. The most common causes can be divided into two categories – causes resulting from the physical sphere, or those resulting from the psychological or social sphere.
Some of the physical causes of anorgasmia in women are:
- pharmacotherapy (some medications may cause a decrease in libido, decreased sexual arousal or difficulty in achieving orgasm)
- hormonal disorders
- hormonal changes such as menopause, childbirth, breastfeeding
- certain diseases or medical conditions that may affect a woman’s overall health and sexual interest or arousal
- chronic pain in the pelvic area, e.g. with endometriosis
- nerve damage
- surgical procedures of the reproductive organs
- vaginal dryness
- side effects related to treatment, e.g. chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Sometimes, however, there is no physical cause of anorgasmia, and a psychological or social cause must be sought. Common causes in this category include:
- stress, fatigue or depression
- conflicts with a partner, problems in a partnership relationship
- lack of knowledge or low level of knowledge in the field of sexuality
- lack of communication (when a woman does not tell her partner what type of stimulation is most pleasant for her)
- feeling of boredom in relationships or sexual life
- negative associations with sex
- history of sexual abuse
- feeling of shame
- cultural or religious aspects
Important cultural and social causes of anorgasmia in women include upbringing, low level of knowledge about sexuality, or too much emphasis on achieving orgasm. A very conservative upbringing may lead to experiencing one’s sexuality in a shameful and anxious way. Such women may also be afraid of talking about sex or experimenting with their own sexuality. In the absence of sexual education, women often do not know their own anatomy or physiology and may feel insecure or embarrassed during intimate relationships. In turn, putting a lot of emphasis on achieving orgasm may have the opposite effect – a woman feels a lot of tension and stress, which makes it more difficult for her to achieve orgasm. To change this approach to your sexuality, just consult a specialist, psychologist or sexologist, for example in a city like Krakow.
Treatment of Anorgasmia
If the cause of anorgasmia is psychological or social, a sex therapist from Krakow may recommend psychotherapy, sexological therapy or sexological education. Learning about physiology and anatomy combined with self-stimulation can help a woman discover her own body and sexuality. A conversation with a specialist may also be helpful in eliminating uncertainty, shame or a certain taboo resulting from a conservative upbringing.
The sexologist may also recommend changing the type or intensity of stimulation, for example through fantasizing, reading erotic materials, watching photos or films, etc. If a woman feels very anxious or tense during intimate situations, mastering certain relaxation techniques may prove helpful.
Psychotherapy may be recommended to a woman who has had unpleasant sexual experiences in the past, if she has a history of trauma or sexual abuse. In such a situation, a psychotherapist from Krakow will help the patient cope with the difficult experience and rediscover the pleasure of her own sexuality.
If other mental disorders are diagnosed, such as depression or anxiety disorders, the sexologist may also recommend psychotherapy. Effective treatment of disorders associated with orgasmic disorders may have a positive impact on a woman’s satisfaction in her sexual life.
If a woman is in a relationship, sex therapy or couples psychotherapy may sometimes be recommended. Thanks to such therapy, both people in a relationship can learn new stimulation techniques, greater focus on each other’s experiences, but also trust in each other and greater emotional closeness.
Sometimes the problem with achieving orgasm is situational and may occur in a long-term relationship. In such situations, it often turns out that there has been a crisis in the relationship for some time, then couples therapy is recommended so that the partners first work through the crisis and learn to resolve conflicts in a healthy way. After achieving satisfaction in your relationship, you may find that satisfaction in your intimate life is also restored.
Currently popular Mindfulness practices (practices related to training the mind to be more attentive, focused on sensations and surroundings, calm, in order to maintain good health) may also be helpful. Thanks to this approach, a woman can focus more on her own experiences, without feeling ashamed and without constantly controlling her own behavior.
When to call a specialist?
If a woman had a satisfactory sex life up to a certain point, was able to achieve orgasm, and then something changed and she has difficulty feeling satisfaction, it would be a good idea to contact a sexologist to investigate the cause of such a change. It may also be that the woman has never had an orgasm or is wondering what an orgasm is. In such a situation, a visit to a sex therapist is also recommended. A specialist from the Małopolska Synapsa Psychotherapy Center in Krakow will help diagnose the problem and determine the causes, and then propose appropriate treatment methods.
It is also worth visiting a sexologist if a woman can achieve orgasm, but it is not intense enough for her or it happens so rarely that it leads to anxiety, tension or mental suffering. Instead of wondering alone whether such experiences are normal, it is worth consulting your uncertainties with a specialist.
Sometimes a specialist can help you discover the cause, which will be easy to work through. It may be a lack of knowledge or lack of communication, where sexual education or open conversation can already bring beneficial effects. However, sometimes a sexologist may recommend psychotherapy or sexual therapy. However, it is worth investing in your sex life, as it is an important part of a person’s overall well-being and health.