Dysfunction in Women | Glossary of Terms

Inability to achieve orgasm

Women experience pain in the genital area or deep inside the pelvis during intercourse. This pain is often described similar to menstrual cramps or sharp burning.

Female Hypoactive Sexual Desire (HSDD)

Also known as low female libido. Lack or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity over a period of time.

Female Sex Drive

Desire / interest in receiving sexual stimulation

Female Sexual Dysfunction

Persistent or recurrent difficulty with sexual response

Female Sexuality

Covers a wide range of behaviors and processes including: female sexual identity, sexual behavior, psychological, physiological, sociological, cultural, political, and spiritual/religious aspects of sex.

Hormone Therapy

Use of hormones such as estrogen & testosterone can decrease pain during intercourse, facilitate vaginal lubrication & can increase sex drive .

Primary Anorgasmia

When a person has never experienced an orgasm

Primary Orgasmic Dysfunction

See Primary Anorgasmia

Secondary Anorgasmia

The loss of the ability to have orgasms.

Secondary Orgasmic Dysfunction

See Secondary Anorgasmia

Sex Therapist

Can be a psychiatrist, a marriage and family therapist, a psychologist, or a clinical social worker who is specifically trained in human sexuality.

Sex Therapy

A specialized form of counseling for adults that focuses on sexual issues. Sex therapy is usually solution focused.

Vaginal Dilators

A piece of plastic that is smooth, rigid, cylinder-shaped. It is used to stretch the muscles in the vagina to make them more flexible.

Vaginal Orgasm

Although there does not appear to be a separate or distinct orgasm that is caused by stimulation of the vagina, ( all orgasm appears to emanate from the clitoral nerves) there are some woman (30%) who are able to orgasm through vaginal intercourse alone (that is, without additional manual or vibrator stimulation.)
Additionally, some women will describe the orgasm they experience while having intercourse as more intense or more satisfying than an orgasm experienced without simultaneous vaginal stimulation.

Vaginismus

The inability to comfortably get an object (ex: penis, finger, tampon) past the opening, and into the vagina.

Vulvar Vestibulitis

Also known as Vulvodynia, is a condition where the outside of the vagina, the vulvar area, is either irritated or in pain.

Vulvodynia

Also known as Vulvar Vestibulitis, is a condition where the outside of the vagina, the vulvar area, is either irritated or in pain.

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Sexual Dysfunction in Women - Glossary

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Anorgasmia	Inability to achieve orgasm
Dyspareunia	Women experience pain in the genital area or deep inside the pelvis during intercourse. This pain is often described similar to menstrual cramps or sharp burning.
Female Hypoactive Sexual Desire (HSDD)	Also known as low female libido. Lack or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity over a period of time.
Female Sex Drive	Desire / interest in receiving sexual stimulation
Female Sexual Dysfunction	Persistent or recurrent difficulty with sexual response
Female Sexuality	Covers a wide range of behaviors and processes including: female sexual identity, sexual behavior, psychological, physiological, sociological, cultural, political, and spiritual/religious aspects of sex.
Hormone Therapy	Use of hormones such as estrogen & testosterone can decrease pain during intercourse, facilitate vaginal lubrication & can increase sex drive .
Primary Anorgasmia	When a person has never experienced an orgasm
Primary Orgasmic Dysfunction	See Primary Anorgasmia
Secondary Anorgasmia	The loss of the ability to have orgasms.
Secondary Orgasmic Dysfunction	See Secondary Anorgasmia
Sex Therapist	Can be a psychiatrist, a marriage and family therapist, a psychologist, or a clinical social worker who is specifically trained in human sexuality.
Sex Therapy	A specialized form of counseling for adults that focuses on sexual issues. Sex therapy is usually solution focused.
Vaginal Dilators	A piece of plastic that is smooth, rigid, cylinder-shaped. It is used to stretch the muscles in the vagina to make them more flexible.
Vaginal Orgasm	Although there does not appear to be a separate or distinct orgasm that is caused by stimulation of the vagina, ( all orgasm appears to emanate from the clitoral nerves) there are some woman (30%) who are able to orgasm through vaginal intercourse alone (that is, without additional manual or vibrator stimulation.) Additionally, some women will describe the orgasm they experience while having intercourse as more intense or more satisfying than an orgasm experienced without simultaneous vaginal stimulation.
Vaginismus	The inability to comfortably get an object (ex: penis, finger, tampon) past the opening, and into the vagina.
Vulvar Vestibulitis	Also known as Vulvodynia, is a condition where the outside of the vagina, the vulvar area, is either irritated or in pain.
Vulvodynia	Also known as Vulvar Vestibulitis, is a condition where the outside of the vagina, the vulvar area, is either irritated or in pain.