Beyond the cultural influences on sexual feelings and expression, sexual difficulties can stem from psychological factors that are usually unique to each individual.
Sexual Knowledge and Attitudes
Our knowledge and attitudes about sex have a direct influence on our sexual expression. When difficulties are based on ignorance or misunderstanding, accurate information can sometimes alleviate sexual dissatisfaction. For example, if a woman knows about the function of her clitoris in sexual arousal, she will most likely have experiences different from those of a woman who lacks this knowledge. The fact that women have fewer sexual problems as they get older and have more self-knowledge supports the idea that sexuality develops throughout our lives (Leland, 2000a).