Asexual
refers to the absence of sexual activity or a low level
of sexual response. Sexual union of male and female germ
cells (such as the sperm and ova in humans) is the means
of reproduction that is standard among mammalian and many
non-mammalian species. However, many organisms reproduce
through asexual means, such as budding, spore formation,
or fission. Organisms that produce through these means are
sexless.
Asexuality
can also refer to a lack of interest or involvement in sex
in sexual species. The priesthood in a number of religions,
for example, requires abstinence or even monasticism among
its members. While individuals who participate in religious
abstinence may have normal sexual interest, they are required
to take a vow of abstinence.
Over
time, lack of involvement in sexual activity may lead to
a considerable drop in sexual interest. Vows of abstinence
may also be taken outside of the arena of organized religion,
although these are usually situational and time limited.
Sexual
Dysfunction May Cause Lack of Interest
Disinterest in sex also may be due to a sexual dysfunction;
that is, a psychological or organic condition that blocks
normal sexual behaviors and responses. Specifically, in
the case of complete disinterest in sex, the condition may
be diagnosed as sexual desire disorder.
In sexual
desire disorder the individual has a persistent absence
of sexual fantasies or desire for engaging in sex. Further,
the individual exhibits an intense aversion to either heterosexual
or homosexual genital sexual contact.
Additionally,
persistent failure in sexual response may lead to the avoidance
of sex or sexual situations. This can occur at any point
in life but tends to occur more frequently among the elderly.
These conditions can have an emotional origin, of varying
severities, or they may have an organic cause. Often they
are treatable through sex therapy and/or biomedical intervention.
Intensive
desire disorders, however, may reflect complicated psychological
problems that are difficult to treat. In addition, some
individuals may be biologically incapable of sexual interest
or involvement in sexual activity and, although members
of a sexual species, are themselves asexual. This, however,
is a rare condition and most forms of sexual dysfunction
respond to therapeutic intervention.
