Female Sexual Dysfunction
There are many problems that can keep a woman from enjoying sex. They include
- Lack of sexual desire
- Inability to become aroused
- Lack of orgasm, or sexual climax
- Painful intercourse
These problems may have physical or psychological causes. Physical causes may include conditions like diabetes, heart disease, nerve disorders or hormone problems. Some drugs can also affect desire and function. Psychological causes may include work-related stress and anxiety. They may also include depression or concerns about marriage or relationship problems. For some women, the problem results from past sexual trauma.
Most commonly seen sexual problems in women
Ø The most common sexual problem in women is hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), more commonly referred to as low sex drive or libido followed by difficulty with orgasm. Pain during intercourse
Ø HSDD is a deficiency or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity, There can be significant differences in sexual interest levels among women. Most of women think about sex a few times a month and few women’s think about sex 2-3 times a week or more. Happier women seem to think about sex more often than unhappy women.
Ø Difficulty with orgasm, or female orgasmic disorder, is a persistent delay or absence of orgasm. Most of the women say they always have orgasms during sex and few women’s say they are physically satisfied with their partners.
Ø There are wide variations in sexual functioning, and there is no gold-standard that women should feel they must meet for their sexual functioning to be considered 'normal.' If a woman experiences a sexual problem that troubles her, then it is a problem that needs to be addressed and she should be encouraged to talk to her doctor about it to see how it can be improved.
Causes to decreased sexual desire in women
Ø Low sex drive can be caused by a range of factors, which vary from one individual to the next. Fatigue, the daily responsibilities and multiple roles women often assume, and many possible psychological causes can impact a woman's sexual appetite. It is also known that certain health conditions and medications can affect a woman's sexual desire. Depression and anxiety disorders can interfere with sexual desire, but so can some of the drugs used to treat these conditions. Many antidepressants, in particular Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, also called SSRIs (e.g.., Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft), have side effects that have a negative impact on women's libidos.
Ø In addition, birth control pills, mood stabilizers, tranquilizers and other medications have been shown to decrease libido. If you notice a drop in your sexual desire around the time you start a new medication, talk to you doctor to see if there is a connection. Do not stop taking any medication without talking to your doctor first.
Difference between Sexual Arousal and Sexual Desire
Ø In most women who are not experiencing sexual problems, libido and arousal are closely related and difficult to separate. Libido refers to a baseline interest in sex and might be redefined as sexual appetite. Arousal refers to the physiological response to sexual stimuli. Women with higher libidos generally have a greater response to sexual stimuli, or greater arousal. Physical manifestations of sexual arousal include vaginal lubrication and increased blood flow to the labia, clitoris and vagina.
How to increase sexual arousal in women
Ø One of the symptoms of decreased sexual arousal in women is a reduced amount of vaginal lubrication. Over-the-counter vaginal lubricants can augment lubrication.Ø Women can also choose behavioural therapy to help increase sexual arousal. Such therapy is aimed at enhancing sexual fantasies and focusing one's attention on sexual stimuli. For women in on-going relationships, the therapist would also look into the possibility of communication problems in the relationship, or lack of sexual stimulation by the woman's partner.
How to increase sexual desire in women
Ø Important factor to consider is that for some women, feelings of guilt and shame learned in early childhood may interfere with adult sexual function and may affect one or more phases of the sexual response cycle. In these instances, as well as in cases of sexual abuse, psychotherapy may be beneficial. Marriage counselling or couples therapy can also be of value.
Cause for lack of orgasm?
Ø The inability to achieve orgasm (anorgasmia) can be caused by a number of factors, both physical and psychological in nature. Lack of adequate stimulation, acute stress, anxiety, as well as depression and relationship problems can all interfere with the ability to experience orgasm. Other health conditions, such as incontinence, can cause problems too.
Ø Everyday stress and the many roles and responsibilities women deal with can result in distractions, making orgasms more difficult to achieve. In addition, cultural and religious prohibitions may result in anorgasmia (possibly related to a heightened sense of guilt).
Ø Fortunately, experienced Psychologist & Sex educator available here to assist women in developing skills and improve their ability to reach orgasm. Ø Medications can also interfere with the ability to experience orgasm. Many antidepressants have a high propensity to cause such problems. In addition, antipsychotic drugs can cause inability to reach orgasm and Valium may delay orgasm. Antihypertensive drugs may also interfere with orgasm.
Ø Any disease, such as multiple sclerosis, that interrupts the nerve supply to the genitals may cause lack of orgasm.
Pain during sex -treatment
Ø In postmenopausal women who experience diminished vaginal lubrication. Vaginal creams containing oestrogen may also help.Ø Even women who are not postmenopausal experience problems with vaginal lubrication which can create friction during sex, and ultimately cause pain. In this case, use of vaginal lubricants before intercourse is a possible remedy.
Ø If the woman experiencing pain during relationship, she should communicate with her partner. Together they can work to find a position that is more comfortable. Sometimes a change in the time of day when you are more rested may help.
Ø If pain is persistent, consult your doctor. The pain could be a symptom of another medical condition. In fact, most physicians view dyspareunia (pain with intercourse) as a pain disorder and treat accordingly (analgesics/creams, etc.).
Ø There are many treatments available. Your doctor will work with you to find a solution to your problem.
Vaginismus - hope for women with vaginismus ever having a healthy sexual relationship
Ø Vaginismus is persistent or recurrent spasm of the outer third of the vagina that interferes with intercourse. It can usually be treated by the use of vaginal dilators of increasing diameter plus relaxation training. The success rate increases in couples where the partner is involved in the therapy process. While treatment can help, it is important to note that some women have very intimate, loving relationships without intercourse.
Any important points for women to understand about female sexual dysfunction?
Ø Sexual response varies between women and within each individual. Sexual concerns are very common. Some sexual problems, while distressing, may reflect normal variations in a woman's life. Shifting one's focus to enhancing intimacy rather than having all interactions result in intercourse may help. Not all sexual concerns or problems are "dysfunctions."
Ø Women need to pay attention to changes in their daily lives that may cause sexual dysfunction. In cases where medications cause sexual problems, the solution may be as simple as changing the medication or adjusting the dosage.
Ø Don't be afraid to talk to your doctor and your partner. It can be difficult and uncomfortable to initiate a conversation with a doctor about sex, but the majority of women can be helped if they are willing to talk openly to their Doctor and Sex Educator to determine the best treatment for their specific problem.
