Orgasmic Dysfunction: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments

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Orgasmic Dysfunction

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Brian Krans — Updated on March 14, 2023

Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatments
Outlook

You may not be able to climax with a partner due to physical, emotional, or psychological factors. Treatment may include therapy, medication, and treating underlying causes.

What is orgasmic dysfunction?

Orgasmic dysfunction is a condition that occurs when someone has difficulty reaching orgasm. This difficulty occurs even when they’re sexually aroused and there’s sufficient sexual stimulation. When this condition occurs in women, it’s known as female orgasmic dysfunction. Men can also experience orgasmic dysfunction, but this is much less common.

Orgasms are intense feelings of release during sexual stimulation. They can vary in intensity, duration, and frequency. Orgasms can occur with little sexual stimulation, but sometimes much more stimulation is necessary.

Many women have difficulty reaching orgasm with a partner, even after ample sexual stimulation. Studies suggest orgasmic dysfunction affects 11 to 41 percent of women.

Orgasmic dysfunction is also known as anorgasmia or female orgasmic disorder.

What causes orgasmic dysfunction?

It can be difficult to determine the underlying cause of orgasmic dysfunction. Women may have difficulty reaching orgasm due to physical, emotional, or psychological factors. Contributing factors might include:

older age
medical conditions, such as diabetes
a history of gynecological surgeries, such as a hysterectomy
the use of certain medications, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression
cultural or religious beliefs
shyness
guilt about enjoying sexual activity
history of sexual abuse
mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety
stress
poor self-esteem
relationship issues, such as unresolved conflicts or lack of trust

Sometimes, a combination of these factors can make achieving an orgasm difficult. The inability to orgasm can lead to distress, which may make it even harder to achieve orgasm in the future.

What are the symptoms of orgasmic dysfunction?

The main symptom of orgasmic dysfunction is the inability to achieve sexual climax. Other symptoms include having unsatisfying orgasms and taking longer than normal to reach climax.

Women with orgasmic dysfunction may have difficulty achieving orgasm during sexual intercourse or masturbation.

There are four types of orgasmic dysfunction:

Primary anorgasmia: A condition in which you’ve never had an orgasm.
Secondary anorgasmia: Difficulty reaching orgasm, even though you’ve had one before.
Situational anorgasmia: The most common type of orgasmic dysfunction. It occurs when you can only orgasm during specific situations, such as during oral sex or masturbation.
General anorgasmia: An inability to achieve orgasm under any circumstances, even when you’re highly aroused and sexual stimulation is sufficient.

How is orgasmic dysfunction diagnosed?

If you think you have orgasmic dysfunction, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to diagnose your condition and provide a proper treatment plan. Getting help from your doctor is the best way to ensure that you can fully enjoy sexual activity again.

During your appointment, your doctor will ask questions about your sexual history and perform a physical examination. Your responses and exam results can reveal any underlying causes of orgasmic dysfunction and can help identify other factors that may be contributing to your condition.

Your doctor may refer you to a gynecologist for a follow-up exam. A gynecologist can recommend further treatments for orgasmic dysfunction.

How is orgasmic dysfunction treated?

Treatment for orgasmic dysfunction depends on the cause of the condition. You may need to:

treat any underlying medical conditions
switch antidepressant medications
have cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or sex therapy
increase clitoral stimulation during masturbation and sexual intercourse

Couples counseling is another popular treatment option. A counselor will help you and your partner work through any disagreements or conflicts you may be having. This can resolve the issues that are occurring both in the relationship and in the bedroom.

In some cases, estrogen hormone therapy may be used. Estrogen can help increase sexual desire or the amount of blood flow to the genitals for heightened sensitivity. Estrogen hormone therapy may involve taking a pill, wearing a patch, or applying a gel to the genitals. Testosterone therapy is another an option. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved it for treating orgasmic dysfunction in women.

Some over-the-counter (OTC) products and nutritional supplements may also help women with orgasmic dysfunction. Arousal oils, such as Zestra, warm the clitoris and increase stimulation. These oils may be beneficial to use during sexual intercourse and masturbation.

Make sure you speak with your doctor before using any OTC products or medications. They may cause an allergic reaction or interfere with other medications you’re taking.

What’s the outlook for people with orgasmic dysfunction?

The inability to orgasm can be frustrating and may have an impact on your relationship. However, you may be able to reach climax with proper treatment. It’s important to know that you’re not alone. Many women deal with orgasmic dysfunction at some point in their lives.

If you have orgasmic dysfunction, you may find therapy to be particularly helpful. Part of individual or couples therapy focuses on how you view sexual intercourse. Meeting with a therapist can help you and your partner learn more about one other’s sexual needs and desires. It will also address any relationship issues or everyday stressors that may be contributing to your inability to orgasm. Resolving these underlying causes can help you reach orgasm in the future.

The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) has a directory of certified therapists and resources for women with orgasmic dysfunction. You can also find helpful information on sexual health and orgasms at Go Ask Alice, a sex education website managed by Columbia University.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Basson R. (n.d.). Orgasmic disorder.http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/sexual-dysfunction-in-women/orgasmic-disorder
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015).Anorgasmia in women: Symptoms and causes.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorgasmia/symptoms-causes/syc-20369422
Rellini AH, et al. (2011). Sexualdysfunction: Beyond the brain-body connection [Abstract].https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/328807
Sex 101: Orgasm. (n.d.).https://www.brown.edu/campus-life/health/services/promotion/sexual-health-sex-101/orgasm

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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Brian Krans — Updated on March 14, 2023

Orgasmic Dysfunction: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments

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Mental Well-Being

What is orgasmic dysfunction?

What causes orgasmic dysfunction?

What are the symptoms of orgasmic dysfunction?

How is orgasmic dysfunction diagnosed?

How is orgasmic dysfunction treated?

What’s the outlook for people with orgasmic dysfunction?

How we reviewed this article:

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