Sexual Dysfunctions and Gender Dysphoria in Women

Abstract

The chapter deals with female sexual dysfunctions and gender dysphoria/incongruence in women. Concept, classification, clinical presentation, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and treatment are the aspects addressed for each of these two categories. Preceding this content, the chapter considers the female sexual response cycle and its relation to the classification of female sexual dysfunction. This model also emphasizes the importance of emotional satisfaction during sexual activity and recognizes that female sexual functioning is more complex and is less linear than male sexual functioning. Another aspect that has received special mention in this chapter was the Brazilian program of assistance to transgender people, currently being updated by the experts. Nevertheless, the fundamental challenge remains as to how the standards of care will be negotiated, approved, and implemented by the public and private health authorities of various countries, in the context of broader sociopolitical issues. The whole text of the chapter is supplemented by diagnostic and therapeutic schemes that summarize these topics, to facilitate apprehension.