female sexual arousal disorder

by Janet Casperson, BS, MSN, ANP-C

Female sexual arousal disorder is the inability to achieve and progress through the stages of normal female arousal. This category is divided into three areas:

• genital sexual arousal disorder
• subjective sexual arousal disorder and
• combined genital and subjective arousal disorder.

Genital sexual disorder is the absence or impairment of genital sexual arousal as demonstrated by minimal vulval engorgement and/or vaginal lubrication. The female just isn't getting wet and is certainly not lubricated enough for penile-vaginal penetration.

Subjective sexual arousal disorder is the absence or decrease in sexual arousal, sexual excitement and sexual pleasure from any type of sexual stimulation.

References: See Bibliography

August 2006
Posted August 2008
Updated December 2009