orgasmic Male disorder
Symptoms
In order to be diagnosed with male orgasmic disorder, the following symptoms must be present
according to the DSM-IV-TR :
Persistent or recurrent delay in, or absence of, orgasm following a normal sexual
excitement phase during sexual activity that the clinician judges to be adequate. The
affected man's age is considered, as well.
As with all of the sexual dysfunctions, the manual states that the dysfunction must cause
the affected man "distress or interpersonal difficulty." According to the DSM-IV-TR, the
orgasmic dysfunction cannot be better accounted for by another disorder (except another
sexual disorder), and cannot be due exclusively to the direct effects of substance abuse, a
medication, or a general medical condition. This entry, however, discusses the full scope
of male orgasmic difficulties, and so discusses general medical conditions and
medications as well as psychological factors.
In addition to specific symptoms involving sexual function (inability or delay in reaching orgasm
after sufficient stimulation), most patients complain of anxiety, guilt, shame and frustration, and
many develop bodily complaints on a psychological basis. Although dysfunction sexual usually
occurs during sexual activity with a partner, the clinician should inquire about sexual function
during masturbation. If problems occur during masturbation, the problem probably has nothing
to do with the sexual partner.
The physician should differentiate male orgasmic disorder from other sexual disorders such as
retarded or delayed ejaculation and retrograde ejaculation. In both of these conditions, orgasm
occurs but is delayed or, in the case of retrograde ejaculation, occurs in a retrograde direction
(into the bladder).
Demographics
Male orgasmic disorder is found in all races and ethnic groups. In the case of the lifelong type of
the disorder, manifestations will occur around the age of puberty. In certain genetic
hypogonadism disorders, such as Klinefelter's syndrome, certain bodily signs and symptoms may
alert the physician. Similarly, in associated thyroid, testicular and pituitary abnormalities, there
may be other manifestations of the underlying disorder. In the acquired type of male orgasmic
disorder, the patient will have had the previous experience of normal sexual function. In these
cases, it is usually a situational factor that precipitates the disorder.