Arousal Disorders

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Arousal Disorders - Defining Desire's Dimming

  • Characterized by persistent/recurrent difficulty in achieving or maintaining adequate sexual arousal (e.g., lubrication, genital swelling) until sexual activity completion, causing significant distress.
  • Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD) as per DSM-5:
    • Marked deficiency (≥3 symptoms) for ≥6 months:
      • Absent/reduced sexual interest.
      • Absent/reduced sexual thoughts/fantasies.
      • Reduced initiation or unreceptiveness.
      • Absent/reduced excitement/pleasure during 75-100% of sexual encounters.
      • Absent/reduced arousal to sexual cues.
      • Absent/reduced genital/non-genital sensations during 75-100% of sexual encounters.
  • Etiology: Multifactorial (psychological, physiological, relational, medications like SSRIs).

⭐ FSIAD (DSM-5) integrates previous Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) and Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD).

Arousal Disorders - Why the Spark Fades

Persistent/recurrent inability to attain or maintain sufficient sexual arousal (subjective excitement, genital lubrication/swelling). Classified as Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD) in DSM-5.

  • Etiology (Biopsychosocial Model):
    • Biological:
      • Hormonal: ↓Estrogen (menopause), ↓androgens, hyperprolactinemia.
      • Vascular: Atherosclerosis, diabetes.
      • Neurological: MS, spinal cord injury, neuropathy.
      • Medications: SSRIs, anti-hypertensives, OCPs.
    • Psychological:
      • Mental health: Depression, anxiety disorders.
      • Stress, body image issues, history of sexual abuse.
    • Sociocultural & Relational:
      • Relationship discord, lack of communication.
      • Cultural/religious inhibitions, performance anxiety.

Biopsychosocial Model of Sexual Response

⭐ FSIAD diagnosis requires symptoms for ≥6 months causing significant distress, not better explained by nonsexual mental disorder, severe relationship distress, other stressors, or substance/medication.

Arousal Disorders - Spotting the Signs

  • Core: Difficulty attaining/maintaining sexual excitement (subjective, genital response).
  • Look for these Signs:
    • ↓ Subjective arousal ("not feeling turned on" by cues).
    • ↓ Genital response (e.g., poor lubrication, lack of engorgement).
    • Reduced or absent genital/non-genital sensations.
  • Key Criteria: Symptoms for ≥6 months AND causing significant distress.

⭐ In women, arousal issues often co-exist with desire problems; DSM-5 combines them as Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD).

Arousal Disorders - Rekindling the Flame

  • Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD): Persistent lack of, or significantly reduced, sexual interest/arousal (e.g., excitement, sensations), causing distress.

  • 📌 Key Causes: Medications (SSRIs), Endocrine (↓estrogen), Depression/Anxiety, Stress/Relationship, Chronic illness (diabetes), Atrophy (vaginal).

  • Core Management: Tailored biopsychosocial approach.

  • Key Pharmacotherapies:

    • Flibanserin: Daily oral, premenopausal. ⚠️ Avoid alcohol (hypotension/syncope).
    • Bremelanotide: SC PRN, premenopausal.
    • Local Estrogen: Postmenopausal VVA.
    • Ospemifene: Oral SERM for VVA-dyspareunia.
  • ⭐ > Flibanserin, for premenopausal FSIAD/HSDD, acts as a multifunctional serotonin agonist antagonist (MSAA); ⚠️ avoid alcohol.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Arousal disorders: Persistent difficulty achieving/maintaining sexual excitement, causing significant distress.
  • FSIAD (Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder) in DSM-5 combines desire/arousal.
  • Distinguish from hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), though often comorbid.
  • Etiology: Multifactorial - psychological, physiological (↓estrogen, SSRIs), relationship issues.
  • Diagnosis: Thorough history (sexual, medical, psychosocial) is key; exclude organic causes.
  • Treatment: Psychosexual therapy (CBT) is primary; manage underlying conditions; consider lubricants.
  • Local estrogen for postmenopausal vaginal atrophy can improve arousal_._

Practice Questions: Arousal Disorders

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 46-year-old woman presents for her annual examination. Her main complaint is frequent sweating episodes with a sensation of intense heat starting at her upper chest and spreading up to her head. These have been intermittent for the past 6 to 9 months but are gradually worsening. She has three to four flushing/sweating episodes during the day and two to three at night. She occasionally feels her heart race for about a second, but when she checks her pulse it is normal. She reports feeling more tired and has difficulty with sleep due to sweating. She denies major life stressors. She also denies weight loss, weight gain, or change in bowel habit. Her last menstrual cycle was 3 months ago. Physical examination is normal. Which treatment is most appropriate in alleviating this woman's symptoms?

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Flashcards: Arousal Disorders

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Bartholin glands are stimulated by _____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Bartholin glands are stimulated by _____

sexual arousal

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