Disorders of sexual function

1. Big picture

Disorders of sexual function are common, underreported, and frequently multifactorial. In a gynaecology exam, the key is not to “label” the patient quickly, but to think clinically:

Sexual symptom
→ Is it desire, arousal, orgasm, or pain/penetration?
→ Is it lifelong or acquired?
→ Generalized or situational?
→ Organic, psychological, relationship-related, drug-related, or mixed?
→ Is there a treatable gynaecological cause?

The most exam-relevant sexual function disorders in gynaecology are:

• Hypoactive sexual desire disorder
• Female sexual arousal disorder
• Female orgasmic disorder
• Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, in