Deck 17: Sexual Dysfunctions and Their Treatment

Question 1

Which of the following questions reflects an ongoing issue in sex therapy?

A) How can enough sex therapists be trained to treat all those with sexual problems?
B) How can therapists get more people to recognize they have a disorder or dysfunction?
C) When are sex therapists behaving unethically in inquiring about sexual behaviors?
D) When should a particular pattern of sexual response be labeled a disorder or dysfunction?

Answer 1

When should a particular pattern of sexual response be labeled a disorder or dysfunction?

Question 2

The imposition of labels such as orgasmic dysfunction and hypoactive sexual desire disorder is problematic because

A) individual sexual responsiveness varies greatly.
B) it is impossible to measure sexual responses objectively.
C) their definitions cannot be clearly stated.
D) these labels do not fit sexual problems as they are experienced by real people.

Answer 2

individual sexual responsiveness varies greatly.

Question 3

There are well-accepted definitions of sexual dysfunction that include

A) the idea that a person may have a dysfunction without realizing it or being upset by it.
B) the idea that a sexual dysfunction exists if a sex-related difficulty leads a person to seek professional help.
C) the requirement that the condition must cause enough distress for the person to consider it a problem.
D) All of these

Answer 3

All of these

Question 4

According to the NHSLS, among women who reported that they did not have orgasms,

A) a majority believed that there was something physically wrong with them.
B) almost one-half blamed their husbands and lovers.
C) up to one-third did not consider this a problem and found sex satisfying.
D) up to three-fourths were actively seeking sex therapy.

Question 5

Which of the following is true in U.S. culture today?

A) Sexual activity is at the center of most people's daily lives.
B) Sexual failure is equated with a failure of manhood or womanhood.
C) Sexual performance standards are clear for both women and men.
D) Sexual success is more important than economic success.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a mythical performance standard for men?

A) A female partner must be brought to the point of multiple orgasms.
B) An erect penis is necessary for sexual pleasure.
C) Orgasm must be reached without difficulty and is the ultimate pleasure.
D) The longer ejaculation can be postponed, the better a sexual partner the man is.

Question 7

Traditionally, women have been considered

A) easily aroused and driven by desire.
B) passionate and demanding sexual partners.
C) sexually indifferent or actively rejecting.
D) sexually passive and nonperforming.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a mythical performance standard for women?

A) Successful sex requires initiating the sexual encounter.
B) Successful sex requires intense arousal and quick readiness for intercourse.
C) Successful sex requires more than one orgasm.
D) Successful sex requires reaching orgasm without difficulty.

Question 9

Thomas has always ejaculated almost immediately after having an erection. His difficulty is referred to as a

A) lifelong dysfunction.
B) personal dysfunction.
C) pervasive dysfunction.
D) primary dysfunction.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT one of the components in Kaplan's three-phase model for understanding the relationship between sexual response and sexual dysfunction?

A) Desire phase
B) Orgasm
C) Plateau phase
D) Sexual arousal

Question 11

As a boy, unlike others his age, Ramon seldom gave any thought to sex. As an adult, this pattern has continued. He enjoys relating to women emotionally and physically, but he almost never initiates sexual activity. Recently, he and his wife have been discussing this as a problem between them. Kaplan would describe Ramon's problem as one of

A) arousal.
B) desire.
C) orgasm.
D) resolution.

Question 12

Bonnie really cares for her husband, Bill. Whenever they have intercourse, it is painful because of insufficient lubrication. No matter what they try, an artificial lubricant is necessary. Kaplan would describe Bonnie's problem as one of

A) arousal.
B) desire.
C) orgasm.
D) refraction.

Question 13

Ethan wants lovemaking with Diane to be pleasurable for both of them. However, he finds that as soon as he enters her vagina, he reaches orgasm almost instantly. This is frustrating for both Ethan and Diane. Kaplan would describe this as a problem of

A) arousal.
B) desire.
C) orgasm.
D) resolution.

Question 14

Studies of the incidence of sexual dysfunction

A) have yielded an extremely wide range of estimates.
B) indicate that about half of men and women experience sexual disorders.
C) indicate that most people who experience sexual disorders eventually seek professional help.
D) suggest that sexual difficulties are not as widespread as was once believed.

Question 15

One of the complaints very frequently brought to sex therapists is

A) concern over fetishistic interests of a partner.
B) inability to reach orgasm.
C) partner discrepancies in level of sexual desire.
D) vaginismus.

Question 16

Frank and Martha seem happily married and share many activities. Their sexual activity is almost nonexistent. Their way of life may be described as illustrating

A) hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
B) inhibited sexual desire.
C) normal asexuality.
D) sexual aversion.

Question 17

Michael chooses a celibate life for spiritual reasons and is very comfortable with his choice. His behavior is

A) an indication of sexual aversion.
B) sometimes called normal asexuality.
C) symptomatic of anorgasmia.
D) symptomatic of hypoactive sexual desire.

Question 18

Jim is unhappy about his partner Kevin's lack of interest in sexual activities. Kevin will respond if Jim stimulates him, but Kevin seems not to enjoy sex very much. Kevin states that he is concerned about this but that it does not reflect a loss of love for Jim. Kevin may be diagnosed with

A) HSDD.
B) male erectile disorder.
C) normal asexuality.
D) sexual aversion disorder.

Question 19

Which of the following does NOT accurately describe a gender difference in HSDD?

A) Men with this problem are more likely to have had another sexual dysfunction for just a short time before experiencing HSDD.
B) Men with this problem tend to be older than similarly diagnosed women.
C) Women with this problem are more likely than men to report other psychological problems.
D) Women with this problem tend to have more education than similarly diagnosed men.

Question 20

Frequent or severe childhood punishment, rigid religious backgrounds, or a history of sexual abuse are all associated with

A) female arousal disorder.
B) male erectile disorder.
C) SD.
D) sexual aversion disorder.

Question 21

The technical term for impotence is

A) erectile disorder.
B) normal asexuality.
C) premature ejaculation.
D) SD.

Question 22

Tim, age 25, often experiences an inability to have or keep an erection. He would be classified as having a disorder of

A) arousal.
B) desire.
C) orgasm.
D) resolution.

Question 23

Erectile dysfunction is often associated with

A) depression.
B) fatigue.
C) use of alcohol.
D) All of these

Question 24

The painful and involuntary contraction of the outer vaginal muscles during attempted penetration is called

A) dyspareunia.
B) HSDD.
C) sexual aversion disorder.
D) vaginismus.

Question 25

The major cause of unconsummated marriages is

A) erectile disorder.
B) HSDD.
C) sexual aversion.
D) vaginismus.

Question 26

Persistent genital pain that occurs during sexual activities is called

A) dyspareunia.
B) HSDD.
C) sexual aversion.
D) vaginismus.

Question 27

One current definition of premature ejaculation is ejaculation that

A) occurs before his partner reaches orgasm.
B) occurs in fewer than 30 minutes after penetration.
C) persistently and recurrently occurs too rapidly for the man and his partner's enjoyment.
D) takes place after fewer than 10 pelvic thrusts.

Question 28

30 Some researchers believe that premature ejaculation originates from

A) a history of quick masturbatory response that becomes habitual.
B) hypersensitivity of the penis.
C) sexual aversion.
D) suppressed resentment of the partner.

Question 29

A rare sexual dysfunction that occurs among men is

A) erectile disorder.
B) HSDD.
C) postejaculatory pain.
D) premature ejaculation.

Question 30

A clue that a sexual dysfunction may be caused by physical factors is that

A) sexual functioning is not central to the self-concept of the person.
B) the difficulty involves pain.
C) the person and his or her partner are both concerned.
D) the problem began only after a long period of good functioning.

Question 31

High blood pressure can cause

A) arousal difficulties in men.
B) desire and arousal difficulties in men and women.
C) desire difficulties in men.
D) desire difficulties in women.

Question 32

What therapy or treatment focuses on the functioning of the pubococcygeus muscle?

A) Hormone injections
B) Kegel exercises
C) Sensate focus
D) Systematic desensitization

Question 33

A person's first experience with problems in sexual arousal often happens

A) after excessive use of alcohol.
B) during foreign travel.
C) in response to having a baby.
D) with a new partner.

Question 34

Performance anxiety can

A) generate sexual dysfunction.
B) inhibit sperm and ovum production.
C) lead to paraphiliac behavior.
D) lower testosterone levels.

Question 35

The problem known as spectatoring

A) is linked to indifference to a partner's reactions.
B) is rare.
C) may be especially common among people with panic disorder or social phobia.
D) usually occurs as the culmination of a long period of increasing sexual difficulties.

Question 36

Which of the following therapeutic interventions has NOT been found useful in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions?

A) Antidepressants for premature ejaculation
B) Cialis, Levitra, and Viagra for improving erections
C) Yohimbine for erectile problems
D) All of the above are useful interventions.

Question 37

Missy and Brett seek help with premature ejaculation that is psychotherapeutic. The most effective approach a sex therapist is likely to offer involves

A) behavior therapy.
B) electric shock.
C) hypnosis.
D) surgical intervention.

Question 38

Nick and Nora are seeking a qualified sex therapist. They would be wise to

A) ask a friend.
B) call or write AASECT or SIECUS.
C) check newspaper advertisements.
D) look at the listings in the Yellow Pages.

Question 39

Mary has been unable to have an orgasm during shared sex. A sex therapist is likely to suggest

A) exposure to pornography.
B) masturbation exercises.
C) sensate focus.
D) the squeeze technique.

Question 40

The typical intercourse position used in the course of sex therapy for both male and female dysfunction is

A) man on top.
B) rear vaginal entry.
C) standing up.
D) woman on top.

Question 41

A difficulty with sexual functioning that develops after some period of normal sexual functioning is called a(n) ______________________ dysfunction.

Question 42

Subtypes of disorders include __________, __________, and substance-induced or social/relational.

Question 43

An absence or low level of sexual desire that is considered normal for a particular person is sometimes called __________.

Question 44

Fear or disgust about sex and avoidance of sexual activity is known as ________.

Question 45

The presence or absence of ________ is often used to determine whether the cause of male erectile dysfunction is physical or psychological.

Question 46

Performance pressures and difficulties in relationships are often at the root of sexual dysfunction, although possible __________ causes must first be investigated.

Question 47

Another term for painful sex is ________.

Question 48

Mutual body-pleasuring exercises without the expectation or pressure for performance are known as ________.

Question 49

An American sexual standard is that an erect penis is necessary for successful sex.

Question 50

A sexual dysfunction that develops after a period of adequate functioning is called a situational dysfunction.

Question 51

It is possible to have orgasm without sexual arousal.

Question 52

Some experts believe that lack of sexual arousal in women should be considered nonpathological.

Question 53

Recent research has led to development of an objective and universal standard for defining premature ejaculation.

Question 54

Frequent masturbation is associated with postejaculatory pain.

Question 55

Both vaginismus and lack of ejaculatory control usually have organic causes.

Question 56

The reduction of performance pressures is one of the basic principles of sex therapy.

Question 57

The American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists has formulated a code of ethics to protect sex therapy clients.

Question 58

Why was the publication of Human Sexual Inadequacy so significant?

Question 59

What is the critical factor in determining whether a person is experiencing a sexual dysfunction?

Question 60

Describe the difference in the apparent causes of sexual dysfunctions in men and women.

Question 61

In which phase of Kaplan's model would disorders such as erectile disorder and female arousal fall?

Question 62

Discuss how reports of sexual dysfunction by women differ from those by men.

Question 63

What is NPT and how is it used in sex therapy?

Question 64

List some of the factors that can contribute to dyspareunia.

Question 65

Describe one theory of male orgasmic disorder.

Question 66

Why is the concept of premature ejaculation somewhat problematic?

Question 67

What factors contribute to postejaculatory pain?

Question 68

In terms of treating sexual dysfunctions, what factors would be considered predisposing ones?

Question 69

When a person goes to a sex therapist for treatment of a sexual dysfunction, what is the first thing the therapist would probably do, and why?

Question 70

What is spectatoring?

Question 71

How are antidepressants used in sex therapy?

Question 72

What two self-help techniques might a sex therapist suggest for individuals to try on their own? For what problems might these be effective?

Question 73

After a routine medical exam, what is the first thing a sex therapist will ask a couple to do?

Question 74

Describe how vaginismus is generally treated.

Question 75

Describe the impact of alcohol on sexual arousal.

Question 76

How does Viagra work?

Question 77

Why are terms such as erectile dysfunction and female sexual arousal disorder preferred to terms such as impotence and frigidity?

Question 78

Summarize the gender differences among those diagnosed with hypoactive sexual disorder.

Question 79

Describe how a single episode of sexual dysfunction can set the stage for a continuing problem, even when there is no physical basis for the dysfunction.

Question 80

George and Martha go to a sex therapist for help with their sexual problems. After a physical examination that shows no organic problems, the therapist explains the goals of behavioral sex therapy. What kinds of goals is the therapist likely to mention?