Reflections about Orgasm Disorders

A few scattered thoughts regarding orgasm disorders:

From the presentation/wiki page:
     I find it interesting that the prevalence of FOD is reported to be as high as 42%, but that number is not actually based on diagnosing orgasm issues with the DSM's FOD criteria. This inconsistency bugs me. Doctors do not diagnose broken bones by some arbitrary set of factors they decide on. Fractures are not diagnosed by "concepts", personal criteria, or according the the patient's complaint. If sex is going to be medicalized, then accurately medicalize it. The problem with quasi-medicalization is that facts, like 42% of women suffer from FOD, sound "legit" and people readily accept it as truth.
     Likewise, I appreciated the snapshot of a google search for orgasmic disorder. It is telling to see what society views as both the causes and the "cures" for orgasmic disorders. I fear couples are going to be very disappointed when 10 new magical positions do not provide an instant cure.
     Finally, I like the link/information about Standard Operating Procedures for treating FOD. I agree with McKenzie; while the title makes the information sound very stark, I feel like its a great concise starting point for thinking about starting points when working with women/couples with orgasm issues.

From the videos:
Tiffani, you encouraged us to look past the "cheese" and focus on what the couple was processing regarding the woman's vaginismus... but I was totally suckered in to the "cheese". I felt so much empathy for this couple; the woman especially was fighting against such powerful and reinforced negative messages about sex. I felt like the video was effective in suggesting just how distressing this condition can be for women; she talked about considering swerving her car into oncoming traffic to end her suffering.  Low desire and arousal definitely causes tension in relationships, but the inability to have any intercourse at all seems likely to be even more stressful, heightening all those feelings of shame, guilt, inadequacy, and helplessness. The botox treatment is interesting, and I can see the appeal of an "instant" fix, or at least a jump start to the psychological work that needs to be done. It seems a little less practical however; I imagine the cost alone makes the procedure inaccessible to most women.

From the book:
I found the "three windows" approach an interesting framework for explaining the biopsychosocial information that would be helpful to collect when treating a woman with FOD. The current situation, the vulnerability of the client, and addressing health related factors seems like it would give a clinician a comprehensive starting point for assessing etiology of FOD in a client. Also, the diagram on page 103 expands upon this "three windows" concept, which really helps carry the framework from assessment to treatment. I am curious how often this structure is used by sex therapists, and if it proves to be as successful as it seems potentially to be.