Final answer:
Sexual dysfunction is (2) a significant disturbance in the ability to respond sexually or experience sexual pleasure. Erectile dysfunction, a common form affecting 40 percent of males at age 40, is characterized by the repeated inability to maintain an erection. Contributing factors include health conditions and certain medications.
Step-by-step explanation:
A textbook may define sexual dysfunction as a significant disturbance in the ability to respond sexually or experience sexual pleasure. This involves conditions where a person has trouble during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from sexual activity. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one widely recognized form of sexual dysfunction in males. It is characterized by the regular and repeated inability to obtain or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.
ED affects about 40 percent of males at age 40 and can increase up to nearly 70 percent by age 70. Factors contributing to ED include aging, diabetes, vascular disease, psychiatric disorders, certain medications, and hormonal imbalances. These conditions can disrupt the normal blood flow or neural control necessary for an erection, highlighting the interplay between physical and psychological aspects in sexual health.