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Women's sexual problems are too often discounted as mental or emotional. Talk to your health care professional to get the help you need and deserve.
From Women's Health Foundation
Some people still believe that sex tends to be a physical experience for men and more of a mental or emotional experience for women. As a result, when women experience problems with sex, they may be asked about their state of mind.
The truth, however, is that sex is a physical experience for women as well as men, and the reasons behind female sexual dysfunction (FSD) can just as often be attributed to physical issues as psychological problems.
If you are a woman whose sex life has lost its spark because your body feels unresponsive or sex is painful, take comfort in the fact that you are not alone: Approximately 4 out of 10 women will experience FSD at some point in their life. The good news is that once the cause is diagnosed, the problem is often easily remedied.
Although FSD can occur at any age, it often presents at times when the body's hormones are in flux, such as during pregnancy or menopause. Sexual problems can also occur alongside major illnesses, including cancer.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
Influences and Causes
A host of causes can contribute to female sexual dysfunction. Some of them are interrelated and may join forces in triggering FSD.
Physical factors
Many different physical conditions can contribute to FSD, including arthritis, diabetes, urinary or bowel difficulties, pelvic surgery, fatigue, headaches or neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease.
Hormonal factors
Female sexual dysfunction is often linked to hormonal fluctuations, such as declining estrogen levels during menopause or the myriad hormonal changes your body experiences during pregnancy.
Medications
Many medications can affect sexual function, including certain antidepressants, antihistamines, drugs for high blood pressure, opiate painkillers and chemotherapy drugs.
Psychological and social factors
Psychological factors such as untreated anxiety, depression, emotional distress or long-term stress may impair sexual function or libido. The worries associated with pregnancy and/or the demands of being a new mother may have similar effects. Other triggers can include longstanding conflicts with your partner about sex or any other aspect of your relationship, cultural and religious issues, or poor body image.
Treatments and Remedies
You may be reluctant to talk with your health care professional about problems in the bedroom, but find the courage to do it. A healthy sex life is integral to your well-being, and health care professionals treat sexual dysfunction like any other health condition. The more open you are about your sexual history and your current problems, the better your chances of finding effective treatment.
It is also crucial to have honest and open communication with your partner about your sexual needs or concerns. Although many couples never talk about sex, doing so can make a world of difference in your relationship and your sex life.
Treatments for female sexual dysfunction include a combination of nonmedical and medical approaches designed to address your mental and physical well-being.
Non-medical approaches include:
Medical approaches include:
Talking about your sexual dysfunction is the first step in getting help for this stigmatized yet common disorder. You have the right to an enjoyable sex life.
