title: Definitions of Sexual Dysfunctions in Women and Men: A Consensus Statement From the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine 2015.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Definitions of sexual dysfunctions in women and men are critical in facilitating research and enabling clinicians to communicate accurately.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present the new set of definitions of all forms of sexual dysfunction in women and men adopted by the Fourth International Consultation on Sexual Medicine (ICSM) held in 2015.
  
  
  METHODS
  Classification systems, including the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, and systems that focus on only specific types of sexual dysfunctions (e.g., the International Society for Sexual Medicine definition for premature ejaculation) were reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evidence-based definitions were retained, gaps in definitions were identified, and outdated definitions were updated or discarded. Where evidence was insufficient or absent, expert opinion was used. Some definitions were self-evident and termed clinical principles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The evidence to support the various classification systems was carefully evaluated. A more comprehensive analysis of this evidence can be found in two other articles in this journal that consider the incidence and prevalence and the risk factors for sexual dysfunction in men and women. These data were used to shape the definitions for sexual dysfunction that have been recommended by the 2015 ICSM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The definitions that have been adopted are those that are most strongly supported by the literature at this time or are considered clinical principles or consensus of experts' opinions. As more research and clinical studies are conducted, there likely will be modifications of at least some definitions.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Ageing, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: Marita.McCabe@acu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Marita P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: McCabe
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Ira D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Sharlip
authors.affiliation: RCSI Medical University, Adilya, Bahrain.
authors.forename: Elham
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Atalla
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balon
authors.affiliation: SODc Medicina della Sessualità e Andrologia, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Laumann
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Georgia Regents University, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Segraves
mesh_terms: D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D009626:Terminology as Topic
keywords: Definitions of Male and Female Sexual Dysfunction; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition; International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition; International Consultation on Sexual Medicine