Sexual function is an integral part of being human. Love, affection, and sexual intimacy contribute to healthy relationships and individual well-being. But along with the positive aspects of our human sexuality, there also are disorders  that can affect our sexual health. On this page you will find answers to frequently asked questions about sexual function of women (below) and men (to the right).

How to have sexual intercourse

Everything you wanted to know about sex

Can a woman have a sexual dysfunction?

There are many problems that can keep a woman from enjoying sex. They include

• Lack of sexual desire
• Inability to become aroused
• Lack of orgasm, or sexual climax
• Painful intercourse

These problems may have physical or psychological causes. Physical causes may include conditions like diabetes, heart disease, nerve disorders or hormone problems. Some drugs can also affect desire and function. Psychological causes may include work-related stress and anxiety. They may also include depression or concerns about marriage or relationship problems. For some women, the problem results from past sexual trauma. Occasional problems with sexual function are common. If problems last more than a few months or cause distress for you or your partner, you should seek professional hel.

Is the size of the penis important?

The average length of the penis is 15cm and 90% are between 13 and 18cm. However, the size of the penis is not important as the vagina is only eight to thirteen centimeters long, and even a small penis can touch every square centimeter within the vagina.

My penis bends to one side. Is this wrong?

One-quarter of all penises bend in some direction and some bend downward even when erect. Unless the bend is severe or causes you pain, there is nothing wrong or abnormal about your penis. It should not interfere with sexual intercourse. However, in rare cases a condition called Peyrone's Syndrome can arise from childhood diseases. This condition is caused by scarring on one of the two corpora cavernosa within the penis, stunting its effectiveness during erection and causing the penis to bend almost 90 degrees in that direction. If you feel this may be the case, consult a urologis.

Will masturbating make me weak?

No. Masturbating will not affect your health or make you weak. However, your penis might get sore if you are masturbating a lot. If you feel sore from masturbating too much, or if masturbating gets in the way of your social life, than that is too much for you.

What is the most common sexual condition affecting men?

Premature ejaculation can affect up to 75% of men. Clinically it is defined as the release of the ejaculate from the penis either before intercourse can take place, or quickly after it starts, usually within less than 15 "thrusts." While every man will experience premature ejaculation at least once in their life, for some the problem is chronic. When this is the case causes can be linked to a highly sensitive and easily stimulated nervous system, obsessive compulsive disorder, or sometimes a lack of control over the body's response to excitement. A frequently overlooked cause of temporary premature ejaculation is an infection in the prostate gland known as prostatitis. Temporary problems can also result from stress, or from the use of certain medications including some cold pills.

I have pain in my penis. What can it be due to?

Like in any other part of the body, pain in the penis can be the result of many things, including infection, trauma, or disease. Excessive manipulation (e.g. masturbation) can sometimes lead to pain, as can simple things such as insect bites or pimples. At the same time, painful lesions or sores on the penis may be due genital herpes or another infection such as urethritis (an infection of the urinary tube frequently caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia), which is often transmitted by sexual intercourse. A condition known as Peyronie's disease results in an abnormal bend in the penis that makes intercourse painful for a man. In rare instances, pain can be a sign of penile cancer.

How do I know if I am gay?

Sexual feelings can be confusing, but often they're more so if they seem to be directed toward members of your own gender. The main thing to do is relax, and remember that you don't have to rush and "decide" what you are or what to call yourself. Sexual identities can develop over time. If you relax and pay attention to your desires, you will be able to figure out what turns you on and what you're attracted to -- without worrying about what to call it or what you "are". Most people do define themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or straight; but ultimately people are more interesting and complicated than these names. It's up to you to figure out how you want to identify yourself (as bisexual, lesbian, gay, straight, or whatever). Keep in mind that there are as many sexualities as people out there, and there's one that is uniquely yours.