مقاله لاتین در 9 صفحه 

Sexual arousal: similarities
and differences between
men and women
Alessandra Graziottin

Abstract
Sexual arousal encompasses activation of physiological systems that coordinate sexual function in
both sexes and can be divided into central arousal, peripheral non-genital arousal, and genital
arousal. Genital arousal leads to erection in men and to vaginal lubrication and clitoral/vulvar
(vestibular bulb) congestion in women. Persisting biases in the understanding of the pathophysiology
of sexual arousal are exemplified by the current differences in definitions. In men, sexual arousal
disorders are identified with erectile disorders. In women, a more sophisticated set of definitions is
described. It includes the subjective arousal disorder, the genital arousal disorder, the mixed arousal
disorder, and the persistent sexual arousal disorder. Painful arousal, although not officially included
in current nosology, should be considered. A preliminary critical consideration of similarities and
differences in the definitions of arousal disorders, in the physiology of sexual arousal, in the causes
of arousal disorders, and the influence of arousal disorders on satisfaction with the partner and
happiness will be presented. In contrast to popular opinion, women’s arousal disorders influence
their physical (OR = 7.04 (4.71–10.53)) more than their emotional satisfaction (OR = 4.28 (2.96–
6.20)). Furthermore such disorders are reported to have a greater effect on women’s physical
satisfaction (OR = 7.04 (4.71–10.53)) than erectile dysfunction has on men’s physical satisfaction
(OR = 4.38 (2.46–7.82)). More research and clinical investigation in needed to increase clinicians’
understanding of the similarities and differences between male and female sexual physiology and
pathophysiology, promote parallel thinking in sexual medicine, and facilitate clinical diagnoses of
arousal disorders.
2004 WPMH GmbH. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.