FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION-THE ISSUE IS REAL!

Many societies consider it a taboo to discuss sexual problems. This attitude really needs to go. Sexual concerns—among both men and women—are more common than most people care to admit. There is nothing to be shy about! Unless you discuss a problem, how can you solve it?

There appears to be more widespread focus on male sexual health in comparison to females, even though both deal with sexual dysfunction. In the United States, approximately 40% of women have sexual concerns and 12% report distressing sexual problems.

So what does the term ‘sexual dysfunction’ mean for females?

This term can be used for a variety of sexual concerns including lack of libido (sex drive), arousal, orgasm, or pain with sex.

Let’s briefly discuss these terms in order to understand the issues more clearly.

Libido (sex drive/desire): It is the desire to have sexual activity. This desire may occur spontaneously or in response to a partner or stimulation. Spontaneous desire is more common in new relationships while desire in response to stimuli is typical of long term relationships. If a woman does not have high libido—meaning if she doesn’t think about sex or initiates it—does not necessarily indicate a problem. She can have responsive desire which means she can still have a satisfactory sex life.

Arousal (excitement): Arousal is a state of pleasure usually accompanied by an increased blood flow to the genitals, increased lubrication of the vagina, an increased heart rate, breathing and blood pressure.

Orgasm (climax): Orgasm is defined as peak of sexual pleasure and release of sexual tension, usually with contractions of the muscles in the genital area and reproductive organs. A woman may still experience sexual gratification without experiencing an orgasm.

These are all typical sexual responses or different levels of sexual responses. The ultimate goal of sexual experience is satisfaction which a woman can reach without experiencing all or any of these states. If she is not experiencing these responses, it does not mean she has a problem, unless it becomes bothersome and irritating to her.

It is important to know what causes sexual dysfunction among women, or contributes to the problem.

Some of the risk factors are mentioned below:

Personal Well-being: A woman’s sense of well-being—emotionally, mentally, and physically—is very important for her sexual health. If she does not feel her best, she may experience a decrease in sexual interest or response.

Relationship(s): Emotionally healthy relationship with the current or previous sexual partners is a key factor in sexual satisfaction. Stress, conflicts, abuse (emotional, physical, verbal, or sexual) can be destructive for a woman’s sexual health. Once she reaches this level, even a good relationship may not be exciting enough and may not produce sexual desire or response.

Male Sexual Problems: Women whose sexual partners are struggling with dysfunction like erectile dysfunction, diminished libido, abnormal ejaculation etc. can themselves often get affected.

Gynecological Reasons: Childbirth, menopause, hysterectomy, vaginal or pelvic pain, bladder or pelvic support issues can lead to sexual dysfunction. Professional advice should be sought in such cases.

Medical Concerns: Any serious or chronic medical condition can affect a woman’s sexual desire and responsiveness. Conditions such as coronary artery disease and arthritis can affect a woman’s physical ability to have sex. In fact, arthritis is known as a common contributor to sexual inactivity. Women with cancer, Parkinson’s disease, complications of diabetes, alcohol or drug abuse, or during post-surgical recovery period, can experience loss of arousal and ability to experience orgasm.

Medications: Both prescription and non-prescription medications can impair sexual desire, arousal and orgasm. These medications can include anti-depressants, psychotropic drugs such as sleeping pills, and beta blockers which are used to treat high blood pressure. It is not clear whether hormonal medications such as birth control pills and menopausal hormone therapy also affect sexual activity and desire.

Surgery: Surgeries, in particular surgery of the breast or the reproductive organs can affect a woman’s sexual desire and response. This can be enhanced by about how a woman feels about her body post-surgery, particularly if there is an underlying cause such as cancer that led to surgery.

Like all other conditions, it is important to understand female sexual dysfunction, its risk factors, and possible causes. It is important to be an informed person and take charge of one’s health, but it is very risky to self-diagnose and self-treat any condition without a health care professional’s advice. So take charge of your life, know what is going on with you, but also seek the advice of a professional!

Category: Sexual, Female Health, Physical