Sex is probably one of the best parts about being human. But when there are troubles with achieving an orgasm, it can suddenly become one of the most frustrating. When most people think of problems associated with an orgasm, they assume early ejaculation is about all that can go wrong. But the truth is that orgasmic dysfunction can happen to both men and women and there are a number of conditions which can strike.

Early Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is, hands down, the most common form of orgasmic dysfunction and it is widely associated with men. The condition can happen at any time and for seemingly any reason. Stress, diet, fitness and even just bad luck all play a role and, for the most part, the condition is something that only happens once in a while. But some men develop a chronic issue with early ejaculation and often need medical intervention in order to resolve the issue. There are a number of treatments for early ejaculation including a change in diet, special exercises, the off-label use of certain medications, physical and mental therapy, numbing agents, special condoms and even the use of Botox injections in extreme cases. This condition remains the most widely reported and often men need to use a number of therapies in order to resolve and control the problem in the long term.

Female Orgasmic Dysfunction

When a woman can’t achieve an orgasm, it’s usually simply referred to as orgasmic dysfunction and typically the problem is the reverse as it is with early ejaculation. For women, it means not being able to reach an orgasm no matter how hard they try. There are a number of potential causes for this condition including emotional distress, hormone imbalances and even just not knowing how to get turned on. Since there is such a wide variety of potential causes, treatment usually begins with ways to help women relax and get in touch with their bodies and ensure they have the right amount of sensation. Working with therapists, healthcare professionals and a trusted sex partner is the best way to find a successful solution.

Delayed Ejaculation

Another problem many men face is similar to the female orgasmic dysfunction but it is referred to as delayed or retarded ejaculation. The condition is essentially the same though – a problem achieving orgasm. For these men, usually increasing the amount of sensation with the use of special warming lubricants or sex toys can work wonders. Mental stress also plays a big role in this condition and many men find it strikes when they are busy at work or preoccupied with other issues. Again, therapy often helps patients to relax which then leads to effective treatment.

Sexual Arousal Disorder

This condition can happen to both men and women though it is more widely reported with women. Simply put, it’s a condition where a person is unable to get turned on. Usually this causes alarm when it happens with someone the patient has been interested in and sexually active with in the past and it seems to come out of nowhere. The condition is reported more often in women partly because of the hormonal changes associated with menopause, which make it more likely to strike. But men can experience this problem too and it is also often associated with a drop in hormone levels. For both men and women, hormone replacement therapy often does the trick along with complimentary therapies such as learning new sexual techniques and methods for relaxation.

Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder

At the other end of the spectrum we have persistent genital arousal disorder which is exactly what it sounds like – always being turned on. While some may laugh and think that sounds like a problem they’d love to have the truth is that is can be distracting both mentally and physically and in extreme cases it can also be painful. This condition is thankfully rare, though, and medical intervention often includes the use of numbing agents and low level anesthetics to bring it under control.