Anorgasmy
Anorgasmia
Frigidity
in Multiple Sclerosis
Anorgasmy or Anorgasmia
Anorgasmy or anorgasmia is the inability to climax during sexual intercourse. It is different from frigidity which is the inability to become sexually aroused. The most common causes of anorgasmy are psychological in nature such as stress, anxiety and fatigue. Stress can often be brought on by the sexual act itself, when there is a preconceived expectation to perform.
The use of certain drugs, alcohol and smoking can all bring about a failure to achieve orgasm.
Anorgasmy is, generally, more common in women where there could be other explanations:
- Vaginism is the inability to perform sexual intercourse because of contractions to the lower third of the vaginal muscles.
- Dyspareunia or coitalgia is a discomfort or pain suffered by women during sexual intercourse
- Anafrodisia inhibits sexual arousal. Largely psychological in origin and not unlike frigidity
In multiple sclerosis, of course, the root cause is neurological. Nerve damage desensitises the genitalia and erogenous zones. If the feeling is dulled or missing then stimulation is not possible, ergo no orgasm.
I experience erectile dysfunction which can be overcome with drugs like Sildenafil or Tadalafil, but this does not increase the sensitivity of the penis, and does nothing to make orgasm more achievable.
The psychological element is still a major player. If you allow yourself to believe that you are not going to perform, then you can be sure you won’t. The neurological limitations are likely to cause anxiety, which will only make a bad situation worse.
I believe there are creams that can be applied to the sensitive regions to give increased sensitivity. I have never tried them or visited the sex shops that would sell them. At nearly fifty, I have simply accepted the fact that sex is probably no longer a part of my life. I have three grown-up sons, so the sexual act has fulfilled the procreation function.
Very rarely, the nerve lesions can give rise to a condition known as paraphilia. If the lesions occur in the right side of the hypothalamus it can alter the individual’s behaviour. Paraphilia causes obsessive and deviant sexual behaviour and, as such, is beyond the scope of this article.
References:
Centre
of Urology, Andrology and Sexual Medicine
Pub
Med
DISCLAIMER: The content of this site does not represent a qualified medical opinion. It is simply the information amassed by an MS patient while trying to understand this condition. You should seek the advice of your medical practitioner or neurologist before trying any treatment you may read about on this site. I am not a doctor, I am a patient.
