[Symptoms and genesis of disorders of sexual function].

The article describes male and female sexual dysfunctions in different aspects that are relevant for diagnostic purposes. It hints at somatic predispositions and gets more into detail on psychogenic mechanisms that facilitate sexual dysfunctions. Sexual dysfunctions as well as 'lack of desire' in longterm relationships are seen as a problem of the couple, not of the single person. Different dimensions of analysis of the problem are described in order to enable the reader to explore the meaning of the sexual symptom with her/his individual clients.