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Sexual dysfunctions can have a variety of causes. These can be roughly divided into physical and psychological causes. However, such a division is often arbitrary since the two kinds of causes are usually interrelated. Furthermore, very often it is not so much the individual, who has the problem. Instead, it is a problem of the couple.
1. Physical causes
Some females and males are restricted in their sexual expression by their physical condition, i.e. by disabilities, diseases, or injuries.
2. Psychological causes
There are also physically healthy individuals who, either temporarily or permanently, cannot fully enjoy sexual intercourse because their sexual responses have become weakened, inhibited, or even completely blocked for psychological reasons.
3. Interrelation of causes
The distinction between physical and psychological causes of sexual dysfunction is, to a certain extent, arbitrary. When it comes to sexual responses, body and mind are so closely interrelated that a sharp dividing line between them cannot be drawn. Even clearly physical causes have an influence on a person's psychological state and vice versa. Thus, very often, body and mind interact in shaping a particular sexual dysfunction.
4. Not always the individual, but often the couple
It may be an oversimplification to speak of a sexual dysfunction in any individual, because, as a rule, it manifests itself only in relation to another person. Indeed, in many cases it may be more useful to speak of an inadequate sexual relationship between two people. At any rate, sex therapists today often act on the assumption that it is less the individual than the couple who has a problem. Consequently, they insist on treating both partners together.
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