Sexual function is how the body reacts in different stages of the
sexual response cycle
The human sexual response cycle is a four-stage model of physiological responses to sexual stimulation, which, in order of their occurrence, are the excitement, plateau, orgasmic, and resolution phases. This physiological response model was first ...
, or as a result of
sexual dysfunction. Relevant aspects of sexual function are defined on the basis of a modified version of
Masters and Johnson's work. The aspects of sexual function defined as being relevant to the assessment include
sexual desire,
erection
An erection (clinically: penile erection or penile tumescence) is a physiological phenomenon in which the penis becomes firm, engorged, and enlarged. Penile erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular, ...
,
orgasm and
ejaculation. Guidelines for assessing sexual function are suggested and divided into four stages:
''Stage 1'' deals with the documentation of the defined aspects of sexual function. The main questions are:
#Is the function intact? For example: Have there been any occurrences of erections or orgasms during a given period of time?
#If the function is intact, what is the frequency and/or intensity of the function? For example: How often has the person had an orgasm or erections during the given period of time and how intense is the
orgasmic pleasure and
erection stiffness compared to youth or the best period in life. The suggested explanations for the absence or waning of functions at this stage are physiological and psychological.
''Stage 2'' deals with the assessment of the frequency of different sexual activities, such as intercourse, within a given time frame. The possible explanations for an absence or a decreased frequency of sexual activities may include physiological,
psychological
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, including feelings and thoughts. It is an academic discipline of immense scope, crossing the boundaries between t ...
, social,
religious and
ethical reasons.
''Stage 3'' it is estimated if or to what extent waning sexual functions and/or activities cause distress.
''Stage 4'', the association between the distress due to waning sexual function and
well-being and
emotional isolation is assessed.
These guidelines were constructed to assess male sexual function in relation with treatment for
prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancerous tumor worldwide and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related mortality among men. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that sur ...
. However, the concept has been modified and adapted for females.
[Bergmark K, Avall-Lundkvist E, Dickman PW, Henningsohn L, Steineck G. Vaginal changes and sexuality in woman with a history of cervical cancer. N Engl J Med. 1999: 304 (18):1383-9.]
See also
*
Sexual dysfunction
*
Orgastic potency
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sexual Function
Sexual health
Human sexuality