Jerry Kennard, PhD, is a psychologist and associate fellow of the British Psychological Society.

Lindsay Cook, PharmD is a board-certified consultant pharmacist.

Male anorgasmia is the persistent inability of a man to have an orgasm, even after sexual stimulation. Anorgasmia, or Coughlan's syndrome, affects both men and women, but it's more common in women.

Male anorgasmia can be distressing to those who experience it, especially since it often occurs with delayed ejaculation. This is when an orgasm is possible, but it's difficult and takes longer to achieve.

It's estimated that about 8% of men have delayed or absent orgasm. It's less common among younger men and increases with age.

The condition should not be confused with erectile dysfunction (the inability to achieve an erection) or low libido (lack of sexual desire). However, these conditions may co-exist.

There are multiple causes of male anorgasmia. They include:

A treatment plan can be created once the cause has been identified. Then a man should be able to regain normal and satisfying sexual function.

This article will explain the types and causes of male anorgasmia. It will also address diagnosis and treatment as well as how to cope with this condition.

The male orgasm is a complex process. It is the third of four distinct phases in the sexual response cycle: Desire (libido), arousal (excitement), orgasm, and resolution.

Male orgasm results from sexual activity and arousal. It involves multiple hormones, organs, and nerve pathways.

Testosterone, a hormone produced in the testicles, plays a central role in this process by enhancing sexual desire that leads to arousal, erection, and ultimately, orgasm.

Also involved are contractions of the muscles of the penis, anus, and perineum. This space is located between the anus and scrotum. Ultimately, these contractions propel semen from the body.

During orgasm, the reward center of the brain floods with neurochemicals. These chemicals are responsible for the intense emotional response associated with an orgasm.

A man may be unable to achieve a normal orgasm when physical or emotional issues affect any of these parts of the process.

Men can experience one of two types of anorgasmia:

The potential causes of male anorgasmia can be divided into two categories: physiological and psychological:

A study of about 2,000 men evaluated for the sexual effects of antidepressants found that the inability to achieve orgasm was seven times more common in those who took SSRIs.

To treat male anorgasmia, it must be diagnosed accurately. If you're dealing with this problem, a visit to your primary care healthcare provider can get the process started.

Your healthcare provider will do a thorough physical exam and review your medical history. This may include an evaluation of all medications you take or have taken in the past.

It's possible that your anorgasmia started about the same time you began taking a new medication.

This initial evaluation will steer the next move: either more tests or a referral to a specialist. This could be a urologist for a physical cause or a mental health professional for a psychological issue. You could get a referral to both.

Tests commonly used to help diagnose the cause of male anorgasmia include:

There is no one-size-fits-all remedy for male anorgasmia. The specific approach depends on the cause as well as test findings. Still, a variety of treatments may be used:

Sometimes, changing the dosage of a prescription is all that's necessary to return sexual function to normal. It's a simple "cure" that serves as a reminder about why it doesn't pay to postpone a trip to the doctor.

Medications such as Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil) increase blood flow to the penis. They treat erectile dysfunction but will not enhance libido or make it easier for a man to reach orgasm.

Male anorgasmia, like any type of sexual dysfunction, can take a big toll on a man's physical, psychological, and emotional life. It may have similar effects on his partner.

The most important step is to seek a medical diagnosis. It does no good to allow fear or embarrassment to prevent you from confronting the issue.

Usually, there is hope. But an effective treatment may not be possible if you:

In this case, the best solution may be to focus on enhancing sexual pleasure and intimacy without orgasm. A psychologist or sex therapist can help you embrace a healthy sexual lifestyle in ways you may not have considered.

There are two types of male anorgasmia and two primary causes: physiological and psychological. Diagnosis is straightforward, and many treatment options exist.

Coping with the condition can be difficult for the man as well as his partner. But taking a proactive stance and seeing a physician as soon as possible can help both people resume their sexual activities with confidence.

Male anorgasmia can be frustrating and embarrassing for a man at any age or stage of life. There are many possible reasons why a man does not reach orgasm. However, once the cause is clear, effective treatment options abound. They can restore sexual function to normal.

It is the medical term used to describe the inability to reach orgasm despite sexual stimulation.

Anorgasmia is thought to affect around 8% of people with penises. The risk increases with age.

Situational anorgasmia is the inability to achieve orgasm in specific sexual situations, such as during oral sex.

There are many physiological explanations for male anorgasmia. The most common are:

Yes. Among the most common causes of male anorgasmia are antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These include Celexa (citalopram), Lexapro (escitalopram), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline).

Yes. Sexual trauma, performance anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues may cause anorgasmia.

To help pinpoint the cause, healthcare providers often take a blood test to detect any hormonal or metabolic abnormalities, conduct in-office tests to evaluate penile skin sensitivity and erectile function, and possibly make a referral to a mental health professional.

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