ABSTRACT
The DSM-IV (APA, 1994) defines female orgasmic disorder as a “persistent or recurrent delay in, or absence of, orgasm following a normal sexual excitement phase” (p. 505). The major subtypes are lifelong versus acquired types, generalized versus situational types, and due to psychological factors or combined factors (i.e., psychological and medical problems). While most orgasmic disorders in females are lifelong, some women present with having achieved orgasm in the past but not with their current partners; others are only able to achieve orgasm via solo masturbation. I have encountered a few women who have reported a problem because they were only able to climax via clitoral stimulation. Most contemporary sex therapists believe this view to be the result of Freud’s (1905/1953) clitoral/transfer theory in which he contended that a woman who could not achieve coital orgasm was immature and neurotic. While I will treat this issue if the client desires, I do not necessarily view this as a sexual problem.
