CAUSES

Psychological factors are more commonly implicated than physical causes. These include:

• Anxiety about sex;
• developed unhelpful habbits;
• fears of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases;
• depressed mood;
• misconception, incorrect beliefs and ignorance about sex; and
• strict moral attitudes.

Also, relationship factors can be a major cause of sexual problems. For example, unhappiness about the infidelity of a partner may well lead to loss of interest in sex.

Physically, there are hormonal factors, especially around the time of menopause in women. Other physical causes include a history of diabetes in men, and prolonged alcohol abuse, both of which are linked to erectile difficulty. Spinal injuries and neurological disorders also affect sexual functioning. Some types of medication can also cause problems in the sexual sphere.

Even when there is a physical cause for a sexual dysfunction, very often psychological factors play a part in perpetuating it.  However if physical problems are present then a referral for physical investigation may be sometimes required.