Frigidity

What is frigidity?

The term frigidity derives from the Latin frigiditas - frigidus, which refers to a (literal) "sexual coldness"; this name clearly identifies the woman's absence of heat, both from a physical, psychological and emotional point of view, in reference to the intimate sexual moment.
The term frigidity has been abandoned from medical terminology because it is considered indisputably derogatory towards the woman:

not surprisingly, the "expression" you are frigid "is often used improperly to despise the woman, transforming her into an" offense of terrible sarcasm that almost seems to condemn the woman to resignation in the personal satisfaction and - in turn - of the partner.
Frigidity torments the woman, who feels frustrated and unable to satisfy her man; in his mind, a sense of unfounded guilt, anxiety and fear matures that can reflect on the romantic relationship and make it worse.
However, sexual difficulties of this type are not all attributable to the female sex, since frigidity for the woman corresponds to impotence in the male: in the woman, the clitoris does not swell and does not become aroused, just as in the man the member does not reach / maintain an erection. Both in male impotence and in female frigidity the result, although physically different, remains the same: the decrease in erotic sensitivity.

Frigidity and anorgasmia

It is usual to make the term frigidity coincide with "anorgasmia: the shadow of negative expressions that connotes frigidity is not found in" anorgasmia, a problematic condition that consists in the (only) impossibility and inability to reach the apex. of sexual fulfillment.
The term frigidity, however, is commonly misunderstood with anorgasmia: in particular, the intricate male mental mechanisms confuse the two concepts, reducing their complexity.
Frigidity is the result of repeated episodes of anorgasmia, a sort of evolved chronicization of anorgasmia: therefore, a frigid woman is the one who does not indulge in sexual pleasure because does not feel up to it, she is the one who does not overcome the inhibitions of the sexual act. Again, frigidity coincides with the decrease in sexual desire, with the inability to arouse, with the "lack of initiative" and, lastly, with the impossibility of experience orgasm.

Primary frigidity

Frigidity is primary when it manifests itself already from the beginning of sexual life; it is a rare form, in which the woman has never had any hint of desire, arousal, nor has she reached orgasm. Probably, primary frigidity is favored by notable hormonal fluctuations, chromosome alterations, past sexual violence, relationship disorders and a lack of sexual education. Generally, primary and total frigidity is a reflection of incomplete development; it is no coincidence that women suffering from total frigidity record a lack of development of secondary sexual attributes, the appearance of which should coincide with pubertal development.

Types of frigidity

We speak of secondary frigidity when this occurs progressively, following a period of partial or total sexual satisfaction.
Situational frigidity arises in some particular conditions, influenced by the partner and / or the environment; by "occasional frigidity" we mean occasional frigidity, which arises from causes that are not entirely clear.
Furthermore, frigidity can be induced, that is to say, favored by drugs, physical trauma and psychological weaknesses.

Frigidity and related disorders

As mentioned above, the term "frigidity" is outdated, as it is considered too vague and hazy; in this regard, the disorders that lie behind the word frigidity have been identified as disorders in their own right: hypoactivity of sexual desire, vaginismus, vulvodynia, anorgasmia, vaginal dryness, anhedonia (impossibility of perceiving pleasure, in all its forms).

Symptoms

There is an ideal scale that identifies the different levels of frigidity:

1. Frigidity is complete if the woman has no sexual desire, has no erotic fantasies and is unable to arouse herself, despite her partner's attempts: neither the genital apparatus nor the woman's mentality react to sexual stimulation. Most of the time, frigidity complete prevents conception.
2. In frigidity almost complete, the desire is practically absent, but the woman shows a minimal erotic sensitivity towards the partner.
3. In the next level of frigidity, which involves most of the "frigid" women, there is a moderate sexual desire and an erotic sensitivity, albeit just hinted at.
4. The fourth degree of frigidity delineates a condition in which the woman is sexually involved, presents arousal, but fails to achieve orgasmic shock. At this stage, the woman is defined improperly frigid, as she feels sexual pleasure, despite not completing the sexual act.
5. In the next two levels, the patient presents only mild sexual disturbances, which certainly cannot fall within the definition of frigidity, as the woman reaches orgasm.

The last three levels of frigidity listed above are reversible, and more often than not, couple therapy alone resolves the problem definitively.

Causes

The etiological factors that affect frigidity are many and most of the time the specialist's understanding of the disorder is convoluted and difficult: the patient, in fact, feels frustrated and embarrassed by the problem that afflicts her and tends to hide even from the doctor. some of his fears or behaviors that draw from the sexual sphere. Patients suffering from frigidity use verbal expressions such as "perception of nullity", "inadequacy", "guilt", "sexual block", terms that should immediately alarm the specialist ( and the partner, first of all).
Couple conflicts, sexual dysfunctions, psychological problems, physical traumas, but also the erotic "defects" of the partner represent the most recurrent etiological factors in the manifestation of frigidity.
The woman's body and mind remain frigidum (cold) when there is no physical and psychological, emotional and mental excitement: the immediate consequences are frustration, disappointment and dissatisfaction, which block any possible attempt at an erotic shot in the bud.

Therapies

As we have seen, frigidity summarizes a mix of sexual disorders and, as such, can be healed with valid psychological support. The doctor, be it sexologist, gynecologist or general practitioner, must recommend the most appropriate therapy for the patient; nevertheless, the mere therapy of the specialist only rarely succeeds in resolving the frigidity of the woman. Not surprisingly, the figure of the partner plays an essential role, which must be able to help the woman through dialogue and trying to modulate sexual practices in order to refine the understanding.