Introduction
This section contains the Sexual Dysfunctions, the Paraphilias, and the Gender Identity Disorders. The Sexual Dysfunctions are characterized by disturbance in sexual desire and in the psychophysiological changes that characterize the sexual response cycle and cause marked distress and interpersonal difficulty. The Sexual Dysfunctions include Sexual Desire Disorders (i.e., Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, Sexual Aversion Disorder), Sexual Arousal Disorders (i.e., Female Sexual Arousal Disorder, Male Erectile Disorder), Orgasmic Disorders (i.e., Female Orgasmic Disorder, Male Orgasmic Disorder, Premature Ejaculation), Sexual Pain Disorders (i.e., Dyspareunia, Vaginismus), Sexual Dysfunction Due to a General Medical Condition, Substance-Induced Sexual Dysfunction, and Sexual Dysfunction Not Otherwise Specified.
The Paraphilias are characterized by recurrent, intense sexual urges, fantasies, or behaviors that involve unusual objects, activities, or situations and cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. The Paraphilias include Exhibitionism, Fetishism, Frotteurism, Pedophilia, Sexual Masochism, Sexual Sadism, Transvestic Fetishism, Voyeurism, and Paraphilia Not Otherwise Specified.
Gender Identity Disorders are characterized by strong and persistent cross-gender identification accompanied by persistent discomfort with one’s assigned sex. Gender identity refers to an individual’s self-perception as male or female. The term gender dysphoria denotes strong and persistent feelings of discomfort with one’s assigned sex, the desire to possess the body of the other sex, and the desire to be regarded by others as a member of the other sex. The terms gender identity and gender dysphoria should be distinguished from the term sexual orientation, which refers to erotic attraction to males, females, or both.
Sexual Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is included for coding disorders of sexual functioning that are not classifiable in any of the specific categories. It is important to note that notions of deviance, standards of sexual performance, and concepts of appropriate gender role can vary from culture to culture.
