We are all aware that lousy a sex life can ruin a relationship. If the man is to blame, you may have seen or heard articles proposing that he take Viagra to counteract erectile dysfunction. With more than 30 million Americans suffering from erectile dysfunction, it’s no wonder most people tend to forget that the woman can also be to blame for dissatisfaction. Yes, that’s right. Women can also suffer from sexual dysfunction. Women’s reproductive health is paramount, so if you notice that your sex life is in distress, Dr. Ramesh Kumar of Port St. Lucie, FL, sexual medicine can help through using an integrative approach to guarantee sexual wellness.
Studies reveal that female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has historically been under-researched in comparison to erectile dysfunction (ED). In the UK for instance, less than 2.5% of research is dedicated exclusively to reproductive health. Although things are slowly changing, the issue of women’s sexual satisfaction has always been a taboo topic preventing women from seeking help, even when these disorders are treatable.
Female sexual dysfunction is a problem that prevents women from gaining satisfaction during sex. FSD in women is more complicated due to the intertwining of risk factors. These factors include mood swings, physiological and psychiatric disorders. This complexity has made it challenging to examine issues such as orgasm, arousal, and lubrication.
What Causes FSD?
Three main factors contribute to FSD. The physical factors are medical conditions such as cancer and heart disease or taking medication such as antidepressants and antihistamines may also cause FSD. A decrease in estrogen levels due to hormonal imbalance may also lead to dissatisfaction. Lastly, untreated psychosocial factors may contribute to sexual dysfunction. These include untreated depression, stress, anxiety, as well as constant conflicts with your partner.
Symptoms and Treatment of FSD
- Orgasmic Dysfunction
Doctors must determine whether distress related to orgasms are lifelong or acquired symptoms. You should, therefore, have an understanding of your medical and sexual history to help in choosing the right treatment.
Orgasmic dysfunction is a sign of a more significant underlying health issue that requires proper assessment and physical examination to determine the root cause. A doctor will recommend taking a vulvoscopy to screen whether there’s any damage to the clitoris.
Orgasmic dysfunction treatment is challenging; however, women have reported success with yoga, sex therapy, as well as meditation.
- Low Arousal
Some women may experience low arousal that is manifested through low genital warmth and a decrease in lubrication. The patient must reveal their current medications as some diseases such as diabetes and hypertension have been linked to FSD.
Treatment options include reducing the doses or replacing medication with ones that will not affect sexual arousal. Some women have also benefited from cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Low Desire
Low desire manifests itself through a reduction of sexual fantasies or absence in sexual desire as a whole. Evaluating sexual desire requires an assessment of both medical and psychosocial conditions. Studies show that hormonal medication could lead to low sexual desire.
Treatment includes the use of medication such as Addyi® which has worked for premenopausal women in the US.
- Sexual Pain
Many women with FSD report feeling pain during penetration or pain at the vulva. This may be a sign of pelvic abnormalities that require rigorous tests and examination for correct prognosis.
Treatment is highly individualized. Doctors often recommend pelvic physiotherapy to improve pelvic muscular dysfunction and reduce vulvar pain. Patients may also receive non-hormonal treatments as well as minimally invasive procedures.