Physical Factors in Sexual Dysfunction

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction increases with age (Araujo et al., 2004; R. W. Lewis et al., 2004). This is mainly due to physical factors such as disease, disability, illness, and the use of many commonly used drugs. Prescription drugs may cause a loss of sexual desire, erectile or ejaculatory problems, and/or orgasm problems in women. Psychotropic drugs often lead to sexual dysfunction (Feliciano & Alfonso, 1997). Lowering the drug dosage or changing medications may result in a reversal of these difficulties. Nonprescription drugs such as tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, LSD, and cocaine may also cause sexual dysfunction. We will talk about treatment for physical factors more later in this chapter.