Describes a condition whereby neither the biophysical nor the psychosocial systems of influence that are required for effective sexual function is sufficiently dominant to respond to the psychosexually stimulative opportunities provided by self-manipulation, partner manipulation, or coital interchange.

If the concept of two interdigital systems influencing female sexual responsivity can be accepted, what can be considered the weaknesses and the strengths of each?

Input required by either system for development of peak response is, of course, subject to marked variation. There may be some value in drawing upon the previously described psycho physiological findings returned from preclinical studies. As a human female responds to subjectively identifiable sexual stimuli, reliable patterns of accommodation by one system to the other can be defined, and tend to follow basic requirements set by earlier imprinting.

Patterns of imprinting can be either reinforced or redirected by controlled experimental influence. They can also be diverted in their signaling potential by reorientation of a previously unrealistic sexual value system. The sexual value system, in turn, responds to reprogramming by new, positive experience.

Variations in the human female's bio-physical system are, of course, relative to basic body economy. Is the woman in good health, is there a cyclic hormonal ebb and flow to which she is particularly susceptible?

Are the reproductive viscera anatomically and physiologically within "normal" limits, or is there evidence of pelvic pathology?

Is there evidence of broad-ligament laceration, endometriosis, or residual from pelvic infection?

Certainly most forms of pelvic pathology would weigh against effective functioning of the biophysical system. On the other hand, are there those biophysical patterns that tend to improve the basic facility of her sexual responsivity and is there well-established metabolic balance, good nutrition, sufficient rest, regularity of sexual outlet?

Each of these factors inevitably improves biophysical responsivity. There must be professional consideration of multiple variables when evaluating the influence of the biophysical system upon female sexual responsivity.

However, the system with the infinitely greater number of variables is that reflecting psychosocial influence.

Most dysfunctional women's fundamental difficulty is that the requirements of their sexual value systems have never been met. Consequently, the resultant limitations of the psychosocial system have never been overcome.

There are many women who specifically resist the experience of orgasmic response, as they reject their sexual identity and the facility for its active expression. Often these women were exposed during their formative years to such timeworn concepts as "sex is dirty," "nice girls don't involve themselves," "sex is the man's privilege," or "sex is for reproduction only."

There are also those whose resistance is established and sustained by a stored experience of mental or physical trauma (rape, dyspareunia, etc.), which is signaled by every sexual encounter.

Again from a negative point of view there may be extreme fear or apprehension of sexual functioning instilled in any woman by inadequate sex education.

Any situation leading to sexual trauma, real or imagined, during her adolescent or teenage years or her sexual partner's crude demonstration of his own sexual desires without knowledge of how to protect her sexually would be quite sufficient to create a negative psychosocial concept of woman's role in sexual functioning.

The woman living with residual of specific sexual trauma (mental or physical) frequently is encountered in this category.

Finally, there is the woman whose background forces her into automatic sublimation of psychosexual response. This individual simply has no expectations for sexual expression that are built upon a basis of reality.

She has presumed that sexual response in some form simply would happen, but has little, idea of its source of expression. In these instances sexual sublimation is allowed to become a way of life for many reasons. Particularly is this reaction encountered in the woman who has failed to enjoy the privilege of working at being a woman.

On the positive side
The psychosocial value system can overcome physical disability with dominant identification that may be personal and/or situational in nature.

In states of advanced physical disability, the strength of loved-partner identification can provide orgasmic impetus to a woman physically consigned to be sexually unresponsive.

When there has been a pattern of little bio-physical sexual demand, as in a postpartum period, sexual tension may be rapidly restored by the psychosocial stimulation of a vacation, anniversary, or other experience of special significance.

Again the biophysical and psychosocial systems of influence are interdigital in orientation, but there is no biological demand for their mutual complementary responsivity.

It is in the areas of involuntary sublimation that the psychosocial system is gravely handicapped and would tend to exert a negatively dominant influence in contradistinction to any possible biophysical stimulative function.