More on the nature of sexual desire.

A definition of sexual desire is offered that stresses the psychobiologic nature of its energy, its antecedent and accompaniment roles in relation to sexual arousal, and its tendency to generate sexual behavior. Two inherent properties are recognized: fluctuation of frequency and intensity and capacity to appear baffling. These properties are products of the changeable contributions of biologic drive, cognitive wish, and emotional willingness. These three elements of desire vary somewhat predictably with the stage in the life cycle, quality of current relationship, and the couple's rules that govern their sexual behavior. The transferential and sexual identity contributions are less predictable.