Female Sexual Dysfunction
(Low Libido in Women · Decreased Sex Drive - Female · Sexual Dissatisfaction in Women · Lack of Sexual Desire in Women)
In this condition factsheet:
Diagnosing Female Sexual Dysfunction
Typically, a doctor diagnoses a sexual disorder if a women experiences symptoms for at least 6 months and is under significant distress. Establishing the cause of sexual dysfunction is half the battle. The stage of sexual activity at which a woman is having problems may offer some clues. Other evidence may be found through physical and psychological testing. Your family doctor can refer you to specialists who can help pinpoint what's causing the problem.
In sexual interest/arousal disorder, a woman experiences a decreased interest in having sex. There are several subtypes of sexual interest/arousal disorder based on the types of arousal symptoms that are missing – genital, subjective, or combined. In genital arousal disorder, sexual arousal occurs in the mind but without genital symptoms such as genital lubrication, swelling, or warmth. In contrast, subjective arousal disorder occurs when there are genital symptoms related to sexual arousal but without sexual pleasure.
With genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, women experience pain and tightening during attempted penetration. Often, there are other medical conditions involved such as vaginal infections, menopause, or abnormal growths in the pelvis. In some cases, this disorder can be caused by fear and anxiety based on previous experiences with painful intercourse.
Orgasmic disorder means that a woman may enjoy sexual activity but has difficulty reaching orgasm or takes a very long time to reach orgasm. Physical causes are rare, except in cases of nerve damage in the spine. Psychological factors may range from never having learned how to have an orgasm, to unrealistic expectations from a partner, to feelings of guilt at experiencing pleasure. Orgasmic disorder is diagnosed only when a woman has no difficulty with arousal, only with climax.
To rule out a sexually transmitted infection, which can contribute to sexual dysfunction, doctors may take a sample of fluids from the vagina and send it to a laboratory for further evaluation.
Treating and Preventing Female Sexual Dysfunction
The first step in managing female sexual dysfunction is to see a health care provider for assessment and appropriate treatment.
Physical disorders should be treated. For sexual dysfunction associated with aging and dryness of the vagina, vaginal lubricants, moisturizers or estrogen treatment (such as a vaginal cream, vaginal ring, or low-dose tablet taken by mouth) can be effective. Testosterone may be used in certain cases of sexual interest/arousal disorder. If possible, medications thought to be causing sexual dysfunction should be switched to another.
The medication flibanserin* can be used in premenopausal women who experience low sexual desire and find it distressing. This medication needs to be taken on a daily basis, and it can cause some serious side effects, especially if alcohol is taken close in time (e.g., within 2 hours).
When psychological factors are foremost, counselling from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or sex therapist may help to remove or reduce the causes. Psychotherapy may be more useful if there has been some trauma in a woman's background, or problems that stem from stress or relationships. Therapy that includes a sexual partner is more helpful in increasing the chance of learning to experience orgasm.
To both treat and prevent sexual dysfunction, women should understand how their sex organs work and how they can respond. The vagina is like a muscle, and with inactivity, it becomes harder to use. Activities like masturbation and Kegel exercises can increase blood flow to the vaginal area, making sex more comfortable. Kegel exercises can make pelvic floor muscles stronger and help women reach orgasm more easily.
This is a technique that women of every age can use to enhance sexual pleasure.
To do Kegel exercises, tighten your pelvic floor muscles (these are the same muscles you use to stop the flow of urine when you're going to the bathroom) for 3 seconds, relax for 3 seconds, and repeat 10 times.
Gradually increase the time until you are tightening the muscles for 10 seconds and relaxing for 10 seconds.
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Female-Sexual-Dysfunction
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