Sexual dysfunction (or
sexual malfunction or
sexual disorder) is difficulty experienced by an individual or a couple during any stage of a normal
sexual activity, including physical pleasure,
desire, preference,
arousal or
orgasm. According to the
DSM-5, sexual dysfunction requires a person to feel extreme distress and interpersonal strain for a minimum of 6 months (excluding substance or medication-induced sexual dysfunction). Sexual dysfunctions can have a profound impact on an individual's perceived quality of sexual life. The term
sexual disorder may not only refer to physical sexual dysfunction, but to
paraphilias as well; this is sometimes termed
disorder of sexual preference.