Can we treat anorgasmia in women? The challenge to experiencing pleasure

Sexual and Relationship Therapy

Volumn 26, Issue 4, 2011, Pages 329-341

  Laan, Ellen ^a   Rellini, Alessandra H ^b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF AMSTERDAM   (Netherlands)

^b UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT   (United States)

Author keywords

anorgasmia; assessment; female orgasmic disorder; importance of orgasm; orgasm consistency; sexual autonomy; sexual excitation; sexual inhibition; sexual pleasure; treatment

Indexed keywords

EID: 84859516943     PISSN: 14681994     EISSN: 14681749     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2011.649691     Document Type: Article

References (83)

1. American Psychiatric Association. 1980. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 3rd ed., Washington, DC: Author.
2. American Psychiatric Association. 2000. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-text revision, 4th ed., Washington, DC: Author.
3. Anthony, G., Levin, R. J. and Laan, E. in preparation. The effect of different types of sexual stimulation on orgasm occurrence
4. Bancroft, J. 2009. Human sexuality and its problems, 3rd ed., London: Elsevier.
5. Bancroft, J. and Graham, C. A. 2011. The varied nature of women's sexuality: Unresolved issues and a theoretical approach. Hormones & Behavior, 59: 717-729.
6. Barbach, L. and Flaherty, M. 1980. Group treatment of situationally orgasmic women. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 6: 19-29.
7. Barlow, D. H. 1986. Causes of sexual dysfunction. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 54: 140-148.
8. Basson, R., Leiblum, S., Brotto, L., Derogatis, L., Fourcroy, J., Fugl-Meyer, K. and Weijmar Schultz, W. 2003. Definitions of women's sexual dysfunction reconsidered: Advocating expansion and revision. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 24: 221-229.
9. Basson, R., Rees, P., Wang, R., Montejo, A. L. and Incrocci, L. 2010. Sexual function in chronic illness. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7: 374-388.
10. Baumeister, R. F., Catanese, K. R. and Vohs, K. D. 2001. Is there a gender difference in strength of sex drive? Theoretical views, conceptual distinctions, and a review of the relevant evidence. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 5: 242-273.
11. Birnbaum, G. E. 2003. The meaning of heterosexual intercourse among women with female orgasmic disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 32: 61-71.
12. Both, S. and Laan, E. 2009. "Directed masturbation". In Cognitive behavior therapy: Applying empirically supported techniques in your practice, 2nd ed., Edited by: O'Donohue, W., Fisher, J. E. and Hayes, S. C. 158-166. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
13. Braunstein, G. D., Sundwall, D. A., Katz, M., Shifren, J. L., Buster, J. E., Simon, J. A. and Watts, N.B. 2005. Safety and efficacy of a testosterone patch for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in surgically menopausal women: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Archives of Internal Medicine, 165: 1582-1589.
14. Brody, S. 2010. The relative health benefits of different sexual activities. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7: 1336-1361.
15. Brody, S. and Costa, R. M. 2008. Vaginal orgasm is associated with less use of immature psychological defense mechanisms. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5: 1167-1176.
16. Brotto, L., Bitzer, J., Laan, E., Leiblum, S. and Luria, M. 2010. Women's sexual desire and arousal disorders. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7: 586-614.
17. Brotto, L. A., Basson, R. and Luria, M. 2008. A mindfulness-based group psychoeducational intervention targeting sexual arousal disorder in women. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5: 1646-1659.
18. Brotto, L. A., Erskine, Y., Carey, M., Ehlen, T., Finalyson, S., Heywood, M. and Miller, D. under review. A brief mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral intervention improves sexual function versus wait-list control in women treated for gynecologic cancer
19. Brotto, L. A., Heiman, J. R., Goff, B., Greer, B., Lentz, G. M., Swisher, E. and van Blaricom, A. 2008. A psychoeducational intervention for sexual dysfunction in women with gynecologic cancer. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37: 317-329.
20. Carroll, J. L., Volk, K. D. and Hyde, J. S. 1985. Differences between males and females in motives for engaging in sexual intercourse. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 14: 131-139.
21. Clayton, A. H. and Balon, R. 2009. The impact of mental illness and psychotropic medications on sexual functioning: The evidence and management. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6: 1200-1211.
22. Costa, R. M. and Brody, S. 2008. Condom use for penile-vaginal intercourse is associated with immature psychological defense mechanisms. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5: 2522-2532.
23. Davis, S. R., Moreau, M., Kroll, R., Bouchard, C., Panay, N., Gass, M. and APRODITE Study Team. 2008. Testosterone for low libido in postmenopausal women not taking estrogen. New England Journal of Medicine, 359: 2005-2017.
24. Dawood, K., Kirk, K. M., Bailey, J. M., Andrews, P. W. and Martin, N.G. 2005. Genetic and environmental influences on the frequency of orgasm in women. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 8: 27-33.
25. Denney, N. W., Field, J. K. and Quadagno, D. 1984. Sex differences in sexual needs and desires. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 13: 233-245.
26. Derogatis, L., Clayton, A., Lewis-D'Agostino, D., Wunderlich, G. and Fu, Y. 2008. Validation of the female sexual distress scale-revised for assessing distress in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5: 357-364.
27. Dhikav, V., Karmarkar, G., Verma, M., Gupta, R., Gupta, S., Mittal, D. and Anand, K.S. 2010. Yoga in male sexual functioning: A non-comparative pilot study. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7: 3460-3466.
28. Douglas, M. and Douglas, L. 1997. Are we having fun yet?, New York: Hyperion.
29. Drenth, J. 2004. De oorsprong van de wereld [The origin of the world], 3rd rev. ed., Amsterdam: Arbeiderspers.
30. Festinger, L. 1957. A theory of cognitive dissonance, Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
31. Freud, S. 1953/1905. "Three essays on the theory of sexuality". In The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud, Edited by: Strachey, J. Vol. 7, 123-246. London: Hogarth Press (Original published in 1905).
32. Fugl-Meyer, K. S., Oberg, K., Lundberg, P. O., Lewin, B. and Fugl-Meyer, A. 2006. On orgasm, sexual techniques and erotic perceptions in 18- to 74-year-old Swedish women. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 3: 56-68.
33. Georgiadis, J. R., Kortekaas, R., Kuipers, R., Nieuwenburg, A., Pruim, J., Reinders, A. A. and Holstege, G. 2006. Regional cerebral blood flow changes associated with clitorally induced orgasm in healthy women. European Journal of Neuroscience, 24: 3305-3316.
34. Gonzalez, M., Viafara, G., Caba, F., Molina, T. and Ortiz, C. 2006. Libido and orgasm in middle-aged woman. Maturitas, 53: 1-10.
35. Gracia, C. R., Freeman, E. W., Sammel, M. D., Lin, H. and Mogul, M. 2007. Hormones and sexuality during transition to menopause. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 109: 831-840.
36. Graham, C. A. 2010. The DSM diagnostic criteria for female orgasmic disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39: 256-270.
37. Heiman, J. 2002. Psychologic treatments for female sexual dysfunction: Are they effective and do we need them?. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 31: 445-450.
38. Heiman, J. 2007. "Orgasmic disorders in women". In Principles and practice of sex therapy, 4th ed., Edited by: Leiblum, S. R. 84-123. New York: Guilford Press.
39. Heiman, J. R. and LoPicollo, J. 1986. Becoming orgasmic: A sexual growth program for women, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
40. Heinrich, A. G. 1976. The effect of group and self-directed behavioral-education treatment of primary orgasmic dysfunction in females treated without their partners PhD dissertation, University of Colorado
41. Hite, S. 1976. The Hite report, New York: Dell.
42. Hurlbert, D. F. and Apt, C. 1995. The coital alignment technique and directed masturbation: A comparative study on female orgasm. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 21: 21-29.
43. Jolly, E., Clayton, A., Thorp, J., Nappi, R. E., Kimura, T., Hanes, V. and Pyke, R. 2009. Safety and tolerability of flibanserin in premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6(Suppl. 5): 465
44. Kamenov, Z. A., Todorova, M. K. and Christov, V. G. 2007. Effect of tibolone on sexual function in late postmenopausal women. Folia Medicine, 49: 41-48.
45. Kelly, M. P., Strassberg, D. S. and Turner, C. M. 2004. Communication and associated relationship issues in female anorgasmia. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 30: 263-276.
46. Kelly, M. P., Strassberg, D. S. and Turner, C. M. 2006. Behavioral assessment of couples' communication in female orgasmic disorder. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 32: 81-95.
47. King, R., Belsky, J., Mah, K. and Binik, Y. 2011. Are there different types of female orgasm?. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40: 865-875.
48. Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W., Martin, C. and Gebhard, P. 1953. Sexual behavior in the human female, Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
49. Komisaruk, B. R. and Whipple, B. 2005. Functional MRI of the brain during orgasm in women. Annual Review of Sex Research, 16: 62-86.
50. Laan, E. and Both, S. 2011. Sexual desire and arousal disorders in women. Advances in Psychosomatic Medicine, 31: 16-34.
51. Laan, E. and Everaerd, W. 1995. Determinants of female sexual arousal: Psychophysiological theory and data. Annual Review of Sex Research, 6: 32-76.
52. Laan, E. and Janssen, E. 2007. "How do men and women feel? Determinants of subjective experience of sexual arousal". In The Psychophysiology of Sex, Edited by: Janssen, E. 278-290. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
53. Laan, E., Rellini, A.H. and Barnes, T. in press. Standard operating procedures for female orgasmic disorder: Consensus by the International Society for Sexual Medicine. Journal of Sexual Medicine,
54. Laan, E., van Driel, E. M. and van Lunsen, R. H. 2008. Genital responsiveness in healthy women with and without sexual arousal disorder. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5: 1424-1435.
55. Laqueur, T. 1990. Making sex: Body and gender from the Greeks to Freud, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
56. Laumann, E. O., Paik, A. and Rosen, R. C. 1999. Sexual dysfunction in the United States: Prevalence and predictors. Journal of the American Medical Association, 281: 537-544.
57. Leonard, L. M. and Follette, V. M. 2002. Sexual functioning in women reporting a history of child sexual abuse: Review of the empirical literature and clinical implications. Annual Review of Sex Research, 13: 346-388.
58. Levin, R. J. 2003. The G-spot: Reality or illusion?. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 18: 117-119.
59. Lloyd, E. A. 2005. The case of the female orgasm: Bias in the science of evolution, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
60. Lobitz, W. C. and LoPiccolo, J. 1972. New methods in the behavioral treatment of sexual dysfunction. Journal of Behavioral Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 3: 265-271.
61. Masters, W. H. and Johnson, V. E. 1966. Human sexual response, Boston, MA: Little, Brown.
62. Meana, M. 2010. Elucidating women's (hetero)sexual desire: Definitional challenges and content expansion. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 7: 104-122.
63. Meston, C. M. and Buss, D. M. 2007. Why humans have sex. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36: 477-507.
64. Meston, C. M., Levin, R. J., Sipski, M. L., Hull, E. M. and Heiman, J. R. 2004. Women's orgasm. Annual Review of Sex Research, 15: 173-257.
65. Montejo-Gonzalez, A. L., Llorca, G., Izquierdo, J. A., Ledesma, A., Bousono, M., Calcedo, A. and Vicens, E. 1997. SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction: Fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline and fluvoxamine in a prospective, multicenter and descriptive clinical study of 344 patients. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 23: 176-194.
66. Nicolson, P. and Burr, J. 2003. What is 'normal' about women's (hetero)sexual desire and orgasm? A report of an in-depth interview study. Social Science & Medicine, 57: 1735-1745.
67. Rellini, A.H. and Meston, C. 2007. Sexual function and satisfaction in adults based on the definition of child sexual abuse. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 4: 1312-1321.
68. Rellini, A. H. and Clifton, J. 2011. Female orgasmic disorder. Advances in Psychosomatic Medicine, 31: 35-56.
69. Sanchez, D. T., Crocker, J. and Boike, K. R. 2005. Doing gender in the bedroom: Investing in gender norms and the sexual experience. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 31: 1445-1455.
70. Sanchez, D. T., Kiefer, A. K. and Ybarra, O. 2006. Sexual submissiveness in women: Costs for sexual autonomy and arousal. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32: 512-524.
71. Shifren, J. L., Monz, B. U., Russo, P. A., Segreti, A. and Johannes, C. B. 2008. Sexual problems and distress in United States women: Prevalence and correlates. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 112: 970-978.
72. Sipski, M. L., Alexander, C. J. and Rosen, R. 2001. Sexual arousal and orgasm in women: Effects of spinal cord injury. Annuals of Neurology, 49: 35-44.
73. Staples, J., Rellini, A. H. and Roberts, S. P. in press. Avoiding experiences: Sexual dysfunction in women with a history of sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence. Archives of Sexual Behavior,
74. Ter Kuile, M. M., Both, S. and van Lankveld, J. J.D.M. in press. "Sexual dysfunctions in women". In Handbook of evidence-based practice in clinical psychology. Volume II: Adult disorders Edited by: Sturmey, P. and Hersen, M.
75. Tiefer, L. 1995. Sex is not a natural act and other essays, Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
76. Tolman, D. 1994. Doing desire: Adolescent girls' struggles for/with sexuality. Gender & Society, 8: 324-342.
77. van Anders, S. M. and Dunn, E. J. 2009. Are gonadal steroids linked with orgasm perceptions and sexual assertiveness in women and men?. Hormones and Behavior, 56: 206-213.
78. van den Hout, M. and Barlow, D. 2000. Attention, arousal and expectancies in anxiety and sexual disorders. Journal of Affective Disorders, 61: 241-256.
79. Wade, L. D., Kremer, E. C. and Brown, J. 2005. The incidental orgasm: The presence of clitoral knowledge and the absence of orgasm for women. Women Health, 42: 117-138.
80. Waterman, C. K. and Chiauzzi, E. J. 1982. The role of orgasm in male and female sexual enjoyment. Journal of Sex Research, 18: 146-159.
81. Whipple, B. and Komisaruk, B. R. 1998. Beyond the G-spot: Recent research on female sexuality. Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality, 1: 19-23.
82. Whipple, B., Ogden, G. and Komisaruk, B. R. 1992. Physiological correlates of imagery-induced orgasm in women. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 21: 121-133.
83. Witting, K., Santtila, P., Rijsdijk, F., Varjonen, M., Jern, P., Johansson, A. and Sandnabba, N.K. 2009. Correlated genetic and non-shared environmental influences account for the co-morbidity between female sexual dysfunctions. Psychological Medicine, 39: 115-127.