In an attempt to determine the essential components of a successful treatment regime for primary orgasmic dysfunction, the principal treatment approaches are reviewed to elucidate the similarities in different programs which have reported similar outcome data. It is concluded that the systematic desensitization studies, the masturbatory training approaches, and the Reproductive Biology Research Foundation series are all effective treatment procedures. It appears that all three approaches employ graduated exposure to sexual stimuli plus some form of directive psychotherapy emphasizing interpersonal skills acquisitions. These may be the essential treatment components.