In this contribution, female sexual desire and arousal disorders are viewed from the perspective of incentive motivation and information processing models of sexual response. The effects of... Show moreIn this contribution, female sexual desire and arousal disorders are viewed from the perspective of incentive motivation and information processing models of sexual response. The effects of hormones, somatic disease, and medication on sexual arousability are discussed, as well as the influence of psychological factors, such as stimulus meaning, mood and cognition, and relational context on female sexual desire and arousal. Specific topics to attend to during the anamnesis of sexual desire and arousal problems, and empirically evaluated psychological and pharmacological treatments for these problems are discussed. Show less
Kuile, M.M. ter; Both, S.; Lankveld, J.J.D.M. van 2010
Sexual dysfunctions in women are classified into disorders of desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain (including dyspareunia and vaginismus). As the cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) procedures differ... Show moreSexual dysfunctions in women are classified into disorders of desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain (including dyspareunia and vaginismus). As the cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) procedures differ among these sexual disorders, the treatments for each disorder are reviewed separately. The efficacy of CBT differs depending on the specific sexual dysfunction to be treated. It is concluded that only a few CBT treatments for women's sexual dysfunction have yet been empirically investigated in a methodologically sound way and little is known about which of the treatment components are most effective. Show less
Introduction. In depressed women, common sexual difficulties include decreased sexual desire, sexual arousal and orgasmic difficulties, reduced sexual satisfaction, and reduced sexual pleasure.... Show moreIntroduction. In depressed women, common sexual difficulties include decreased sexual desire, sexual arousal and orgasmic difficulties, reduced sexual satisfaction, and reduced sexual pleasure. Experimental research on the influence of depressed mood on genital and subjective sexual arousal in women is scarce. Aim. To investigate the effects of sad mood on genital and subjective sexual arousal in sexually healthy women, using a mood induction procedure. Method. Thirty-two subjects received a sad mood and a happy mood induction, on two different days, using a within subjects design. The mood induction procedure was a combination of the Velten procedure and music. In the Velten procedure, the subject is asked to read sad or happy self-referent sentences and to experience the mood suggested by these sentences. Immediately following mood induction, the subjects were exposed to an erotic film clip. Main Outcome Measure. Genital arousal was assessed using vaginal photoplethysmography. Self-report ratings of sad and happy mood, subjective sexual arousal and affective reactions were collected before and after the erotic clip. Results. The sad and happy mood ratings indicated that the mood inductions affected mood as intended. No difference in genital sexual arousal was found between the sad and happy mood conditions. Subjects reported significantly less subjective sexual arousal and positive affect and marginally significant fewer genital sensations and more negative affect in the sad mood condition than in the happy mood condition. Conclusions. The results provide empirical support for the idea that mood can impact on subjective sexual arousal in women. ter Kuile MM, Both S, and van Uden J. The effects of experimentally-induced sad and happy mood on sexual arousal in sexually healthy women. J Sex Med 2010;7:1177-1184. Show less
