Question 1

Which of the following medical conditions is one of the most common biological contributors to sexual dysfunction?

Accepted Answer

Diabetes is one of the most common medical conditions that contribute to sexual dysfunction. It can damage nerves and blood vessels that are important for sexual function.

Question 2

Emma finds clitoral stimulation to be very pleasurable and is able to experience orgasm. Therefore, she finds it frustrating that she is unable to experience vaginal orgasm because the muscles of her vagina contract involuntarily when the penis is inserted. Which of the following disorders would Emily likely be diagnosed with?

Accepted Answer

Emma's symptoms suggest that she may be experiencing vaginismus, which is characterized by involuntary contractions of the muscles in the vaginal wall, making penetration difficult or impossible. Dyspareunia refers to pain during intercourse, hyperstimulation is not a recognized disorder, and anorgasmia refers to difficulty reaching orgasm.

Question 3

What is meant by the term "spectatoring"?

Accepted Answer

"Spectatoring" refers to the act of closely monitoring one's own behaviors and feelings during sexual relations, which can lead to anxiety and interfere with the enjoyment of the experience. It is not related to voyeurism, exhibitionism, or involving children in sexual activities.

Question 4

Tobiah has been having trouble with his sexual performance. He now finds himself worrying before and during sex, which seems to exacerbate his problems. Which of the following explanations might be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Tobiah's worrying suggests that he may be experiencing performance anxiety.

Question 5

Albert has a history of alcohol dependence and abuse. He has recently begun to have difficulty experiencing pleasure and sustaining an erection. What will Albert's care provider likely diagnose his sexual dysfunction as?

Accepted Answer

Albert's sexual dysfunction is likely to be diagnosed as substance-induced because it is a direct result of his history of alcohol dependence and abuse. Substance abuse sexual dysfunction would imply that the dysfunction is related to current substance abuse, whereas substance-induced sexual dysfunction acknowledges that the dysfunction is a result of past substance abuse.

Question 6

Robert has been experiencing a sexual dysfunction and is seeking medical treatment. Which of the following causes would be the least likely explanation for his problems?

Accepted Answer

High levels of testosterone are not typically associated with sexual dysfunction. In fact, low levels of testosterone can contribute to sexual dysfunction, but high levels should not cause it.

Question 7

Fred and Jennifer are having marital difficulties. He says that her negative attitude toward sex is frustrating. Jennifer admits that she goes overboard sometimes, but can't seem to change the way she thinks about sex. All of the following may contribute to Jennifer's negative view concerning sexual intercourse except _________.

Accepted Answer

The quality of Fred and Jennifer's parental relationship is not necessarily a factor in Jennifer's negative view of sex within their marital relationship. The other options (B, C, and D) could potentially contribute to her negative attitude.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true concerning vaginismus?

Accepted Answer

Vaginismus is a condition that primarily affects women, and it involves involuntary spasms or contractions of the muscles in the vaginal area, which can make sexual intercourse painful or even impossible. In some cases, the anticipation or fear of intercourse can also trigger vaginismus. The condition is not related to penile muscles, and it may also occur during medical examinations.

Question 9

Rose anxiously attends to her reactions and performance during sex by checking her position, rhythm, and breathing. Which of the following terms describes Rose's behaviours?

Accepted Answer

Spectatoring refers to the act of observing oneself and one's sexual reactions during sex, leading to anxiety and potential interference with sexual functioning. Monitoring, which is similar, is the act of checking one's sexual reactions and performance during sex. Disinterest and onlooking do not accurately describe this behavior.

Question 10

McCarty suggests that with experience and maturity most males gain ejaculatory control by all of the following processes, except:

Accepted Answer

The option "goal-oriented foreplay" is not one of the processes suggested by McCarty for males to gain ejaculatory control. The other options - regular rhythm of being sexual, greater intimacy, increased comfort and practice - are mentioned by McCarty.

Question 11

Which of the following attitudes appears to affect young and middle-aged adults' sexual performance?

Accepted Answer

Performance anxiety is a common attitude that affects sexual performance in young and middle-aged adults, leading to difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection and experiencing sexual pleasure. Sexual frustration can also be a contributing factor, but it may not have as significant of an impact as performance anxiety. Creativity and endurance may enhance sexual performance but are not attitudes that directly affect it.

Question 12

Which of the following is not typically associated with vaginal dryness or irritation in women who experience sexual pain?

Accepted Answer

Inconsistent hormone levels are typically associated with changes in vaginal lubrication and comfort, not directly with sexual pain. Conditions like menopause can lead to decreased estrogen levels, causing vaginal dryness and discomfort, but this is a different mechanism from the direct cause of sexual pain. Radiation therapy, vaginal infections, and antihistamines can all directly or indirectly contribute to vaginal dryness or irritation, which can lead to or exacerbate sexual pain.

Question 13

Ralph visited his primary care physician. His chief complaint was sexual dysfunction. He complained about having low sexual drive, arousal, enjoyment, and satisfaction. Why was Ralph's decision to visit his primary care physician a wise decision?

Accepted Answer

Many medical illnesses can cause problems in sexual functioning in both men and women. It is important to rule out any underlying medical conditions before assuming sexual dysfunction is solely caused by psychological factors. Primary care physicians are able to perform physical examinations and order laboratory tests to investigate the root cause of sexual dysfunction.

Question 14

Which of the following statements is true concerning hormones and sexual dysfunctions?

Accepted Answer

Testosterone is a hormone predominantly found in men but it is also present in women. Low levels of testosterone and high levels of estrogen and prolactin can cause sexual dysfunction in men. Testosterone plays a key role in male sexual function, including libido and erectile function. Additionally, high levels of estrogen and prolactin can interfere with testosterone production and lead to sexual dysfunction in men. Conversely, high levels of testosterone and low levels of estrogen and prolactin can cause sexual dysfunction in women.

Question 15

"What if I can't get an erection? I'll die of embarrassment" is an attitude that will most likely lead to which of the following problems?

Accepted Answer

The attitude of "What if I can't get an erection? I'll die of embarrassment" is a common thought pattern for individuals who experience performance anxiety. This anxiety can make it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure. It can become a vicious cycle that can ultimately lead to avoidance and further performance issues. Therefore, the most likely problem associated with this attitude is performance anxiety.

Question 16

Which of the following is not an interpersonal problem associated with sexual dysfunction?

Accepted Answer

Concerns over the immorality of the sex act is not an interpersonal problem associated with sexual dysfunction. It is more of a personal or moral issue for an individual. The other options, conflicts between partners about sexual activity, lack of communication between partners, and an imbalance of power in the relationship, are all interpersonal problems that can contribute to sexual dysfunction.

Question 17

Which of the following medical conditions is not associated with painful sex in men?

Accepted Answer

Endometriosis is a medical condition that affects women only and is not associated with painful sex in men. The other options are all conditions that can cause painful sex in men. A urinary tract infection can cause pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse due to inflammation and irritation in the urinary tract. Genital tract infections, such as balanitis or prostatitis, can cause pain and discomfort during sex due to inflammation and irritation in the genital area. Peyronie's disease causes curvature of the penis, which can lead to pain during sex.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is true concerning dyspareunia?

Accepted Answer

Dyspareunia is more common in women than in men, and refers to pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse. It can have various causes such as vaginal dryness, vaginal infections, pelvic muscle tension, endometriosis, and others.

Question 19

Other psychological disorders have been known to cause sexual dysfunction. Which of the following has not been associated with a loss of sexual functioning?

Accepted Answer

Histrionic personality disorder involves attention-seeking behavior and excessive emotions and does not directly affect sexual functioning. However, individuals with this disorder may engage in sexually provocative behavior as part of their attention-seeking tendencies. Generalized anxiety disorder, major depression, and panic disorder have all been associated with sexual dysfunction.

Question 20

What is Peyronie's disease?

Accepted Answer

Peyronie's disease is a condition found in men, characterized by the formation of fibrous plaques on the tissue of the penis. This can cause pain during erections and difficulty with sexual intercourse.

Quiz 16: Mental Health and the Law