• Hypnosis for Better Sex

• Aphrodisiacs for Women

• Aphrodisiacs for Men

• Sexual Dysfunction

• Impotence

• Premature Ejaculation

• Female Anorgasmia

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• Glossary of Sex Terms

Anorgasmia (Female Sexual Dysfunction)

Anorgasmia is the inability of women to achieve orgasm, even with adequate stimulation. Use of the word "inability" in the preceeding definition should be qualified, however. Although the term anorgasmia includes women who are medically unable to reach orgasm, the great majority of anorgasmia cases are caused by psychological, social, cultural, or relationship variables. With this said, women suffering from any sexual dysfunction, including anorgasmia, should be evaluated by a gynecologist before delving too far into sex therapy. This article will focus on the treatment of anorgasmia stemming from psychological, rather than organic causes.

Anorgasmia is usually categorized or specified in one of three ways; as primary, secondary, or situational. Primary anorgasmia means that the diagnosed woman has never been able to achieve orgasm at any point in her life. A diagnosis of secondary anorgasmia means that the woman was consistently able to have orgasms at one time, but is no longer able to achieve them. Situational anorgasmia refers to women who can achieve orgasm in certain sexual situations, but never orgasm in other specific situations. For example, a woman who can orgasm through masturbation but never during sex in the man-on-top position. By now you may see yourself fitting into one of these categories and you may be asking yourself, "am I sexually dysfunctional and in need of immediate psychological care?" The answer is most likely, "no". Like many sexual dysfunctions, diagnosis of anorgasmia is somewhat subjective and depends a great deal upon the thoughts, emotions, and desires of the individual experiencing it. It is estimated that between 10% and 40%of adult American women have problems achieving orgasms.

Female inhibited orgasm is often treated with specific therapeutic techniques. Couples will often be taught to use sensate focus exercises at home, and females will often be taught and encouraged to use systematic desensitization, Kegel exercises, and directed masturbation to treat their orgasm problem. Directed masturbation is a technique whereby the woman is educated as to how she can bring herself to orgasm. The hope is that through her increased body-awareness and comfort with orgasm, the woman can transfer this knowledge and take charge in directing her partner during intercourse, thereby achieving orgasm with her partner. Beyond education and techniques, counseling will likely focus on the emotional or situational factors of both the individual and the couple that are contributing to the lack of orgasm in the woman. How these sensitive and all-important issues are dealt with in therapy will depend a great deal on the theoretical orientation of each individual counselor.

Recommended Reading on Anorgasmia (Female Sexual Dysfunction) Extended Massive Orgasm : How You Can Give and Receive Intense Sexual Pleasure "WOW! What a book. If I could shout it out from the rooftop without my office mates calling the police i would, 'Extended Orgasm' really works!." The Multi-Orgasmic Couple: Sexual Secrets Every Couple Should Know From the bestselling authors of The Multi-Orgasmic Man comes an extraordinary new book for couples. You and your partner will discover how to have multiple whole-body orgasms and how to reach ever more fulfilling levels of intimacy and ecstasy together. Profoundly satisfying sex is here for us all-long-term couples, new partners, young adults, and mature lovers. And if you've ever had a sexual problem, this book will help you to see it in a new light-and deal with it for good. There are no complicated theories--The MultiOrgasmic Couple is for real couples everywhere. With tips for fine-tuning your sexual skills that are guaranteed to drive your partner wild, this is quite simply the best ever straight-talking guide for couples you'll ever read. The Hormone of Desire : The Truth About Testosterone, Sexuality, and Menopause This is the book you've been hearing about! Dr. Susan Rako has brought her groundbreaking message about the miraculous benefits of testosterone--the female hormone--to women and physicians around the world via Oprah!, Dateline NBC, the New York Times, the Congress on Women's Health, and the Today show, among others. How to Have Magnificent Sex : The 7 Dimensions of a Vital Sexual Connection How to Have Magnificent Sex is designed to put the tiger back in the tank for the 43 percent of women and 31 percent of men who have sexual problems. Lana Holstein, a Yale-educated physician who is medical director of women's health at Canyon Ranch Health Resort, believes a healthy sex life is a "birthright" and presents a plan for eroticizing encounters gone bland. Using anecdotes from her 25-year medical practice (patients are referred to by first name only, of course), Holstein illustrates seven principles that she says make or break sexual euphoria, theorizing that all must work in harmony for the most tantalizing results. Sex Herbs : Nature's Sexual Enhancers for Men and Women As doctors rush to prescribe the new wonder drug Viagra, few realize that nature already provides a number of safe, natural ways to boost sexual desire, pleasure, and fulfillment. Sex Herbs presents a comprehensive description of these alternative products, ranging from the common, such as the cooking herbs fennel and anise, to the obscure, like yohimbe and gingko biloba. For women, there are the enhancing powers of the rare herb epimedium and the popular Mexican elixir Damiana; for men, the Chinese herb wolfberry, which raises testosterone levels, and the South American substance quebracho with proven male potency powers. Sex Herbs also shows how lifestyle changes like dieting, exercising, and stress reduction can improve sexuality, and it looks at the impact of such health conditions as diabetes and high blood pressure.