Arousal disorders are disorders that occur and prevent a person from desiring, wanting, liking, or being able to physically perform intimate and sexual acts. Arousal disorders can happen at any time in life for various reasons and stressors.
In many situations, the most common causes of arousal disorders are mental health related. Anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship disconnect are typically the most common triggers. Using drugs, alcohol, some prescription medications, and smoking cigarettes have also been linked to these disorders or have been said to have the potential to trigger worsening episodes (CDC). Prescription medications for life-long illnesses, cancer, or terminal diagnoses also have a direct impact on arousal and arousal disorders.
Arousal disorder symptoms are often associated with undiagnosed medical issues typically within the vascular or neurological body systems (NIH). Those humans who are on long-term prescription medications for heart disease, diabetes, mental health issues and hormone related issues have an increased risk of facing arousal disorders (Kinsey).
Common Arousal Disorders
These are common types of arousal disorders being diagnosed regularly in USA medicine (Kinsey).
- Subjective Arousal Disorder. This type of arousal disorder gives a genital response, but no mental response follows.
- Combined sexual arousal disorder. This occurs when both mental and genital response is lacking.
- Genital Arousal disorder. This disorder happens when the person knows that they want to be intimate or aroused, but their physical body does not react or act accordingly (Kinsey).
Treatment for Arousal Disorders
To get a diagnosis for any arousal disorder, a doctor or medical professional will confirm your issues. Most often, the first step in treatment is finding a mental health professional therapist or counselor that is certified in sexual health, or that has their AASECT certification (NIH). AASECT certified medical professionals have extra, specialized education covering intimacy and sexual wellness in all aspects of life (Kinsey). If the arousal disorders you are experiencing are hindering your relationship, couples therapy could be a beneficial option. Therapy can help you to better understand your disorder and learn the variety of ways to work through these blocks.
Practicing these various things from the NIH along with your therapy can help you to rework your thoughts and mind to better work through arousal disorders.
- Communication. By communicating your needs first to yourself and then to others, this ensures that all parties involved are on the same page, working together for the same goals.
- Experiment. Once comfortable, try a new position, add in a new device, or try a new massage. Do something abnormal for your “standard” intimacy or sexual “routine” to entice new feelings, sensations, and emotions. This can help to reawaken arousal.
- Intimacy. By taking the time to connect with yourself (and your partner) prior to intimate or sexual acts, this allows the connection to remain strong, both parties to understand what the goals are, and to agree on the things to come. Intimacy can be challenging for various reasons.
- Foreplay. Rather than focusing solely on the act of intercourse, instead focus on the body. Touch, massage, and interact with all parts of the body- with or without genital interaction. Foreplay does not have to include intercourse at any time. Foreplay can help to retrain and reteach the body about pleasure, likes, and dislikes. Foreplay also helps to bond couples closer together.
- Support.
- Lubrication. Lubrication can help to ensure that the skin can glide smoothly and fluidly across another’s skin, device, hand, or another device or item. Lubrication also brings a variety of sensations and pleasurable feelings into intimate acts and massage.
- Sexual Devices & Support. There are numerous types of devices designed to help combat sexual dysfunction (the inability to preform or enjoy sexual activity in a routine, standard way) for both men and women. These devices range from pleasure-providing to function-restoring and ability-creating (Kinsey/CDC).
If you think you are dealing with arousal disorder, call your doctor and make an appointment to be evaluated. Most often, your medical doctor, urologist, gynecologist, or integrative doctor can diagnose this issue. If you have questions about which devices might benefit your situation to help you work on restoring lost body function, do not hesitate to reach out to our Empowering Intimacy staff.
Citations:
National Institutes of Health and Human Services
World Health Organization
Kinsey Institute