Female sexual dysfunction; what is? Is it a disorder that occurs when there is a significant change in a woman’s usual sexual behavior?
Sexual thoughts and fantasies decrease or even disappear, and intercourse is postponed or avoided.
In addition, there is an inability to enjoy intercourse and this affects the quality of life and personal relationships. In general, the four areas in which women have difficulties are desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain associated with intercourse.
Female sexual dysfunction Causes
General causes for this problem cannot be established, since female sexual dysfunction can occur in very specific areas.
Conditions that cause loss of desire
- Physical: Surgical interventions, hormonal imbalances, and certain diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and depression.
- Other factors: Changes in contraceptive methods, tiredness, stress, mood swings, obesity, the relationship with your partner, traumatic sexual episodes, and excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages and drugs, can cause you to lose sexual desire.
Factors that can hinder arousal
A physical problem can make it difficult or prevent this from happening if something is interfering with blood flow or nerve endings in the genital area.
The causes could be diabetes, coronary heart disease, or atherosclerosis.
Another factor is spinal injuries, as they can interfere with the messages that are sent from the genitals to the brain.
Causes of vaginismus
Negative feelings about sex and sexuality, previous sexual abuse, vaginal trauma (such as childbirth ), painful first intercourse, relationship problems, fear of becoming pregnant, or strict religious beliefs are some of the reasons that cause vaginismus.
Symptoms
In general terms, female sexual dysfunction can have multiple causes and various forms of presentation, but its symptoms are common: lack of interest in initiating or participating in sexual acts, lack of receptivity to sexual activity, and the absence of sexual thoughts or fantasies.
Prevention
There are no specific ways to prevent female sexual dysfunction, but for some women, losing weight, quitting smoking, or getting enough sleep can help increase well-being and interest in sex.
It is also possible that the increase in self-esteem and acceptance of the body as it is can help to avoid possible problems in the sexual field.
Types
Within female sexual dysfunction, there are different types that have specific characteristics:
Hypoactive sexual desire dysfunctions
Some women may experience a lack of desire at certain times in their lives, for example, during pregnancy and childbirth, lactation and menopause, and during periods of crisis or illness.
For others, this situation can become chronic.
Sexual arousal disorder
During sexual arousal, a series of physical changes occur. The clitoris is enlarged due to the entry of blood.
The internal structure of the vagina also elongates and swells at the top to accommodate penetration. Another change is the increased lubrication of the vagina.
This also makes penetration easier and helps avoid any uncomfortable feelings during intercourse. The excitement is not only physical but also mental.
When this process is not carried out in the body, the patient suffers from sexual arousal disorder.
Pain associated with the intercourse
The types of pain or dyspareunia are:
- Profound dyspareunia: The main causes may include pelvic inflammatory diseases, gynecological or pelvic surgery, uterine or vaginal tumors or cysts and fibroids, endometriosis, urinary tract infections, lack of lubrication, or some sexually transmitted infection.
- It can also be the consequence of a certain position during intercourse in which penetration is greater.
- Mild dyspareunia: It is common and has many causes. Symptoms can be itching, burning, swelling, and irritation of the area. This pain can also be felt at times other than during intercourse, for example, when walking, running, or cycling.
- Any dermatological problem can also affect the area around the vagina, such as eczema, warts, psoriasis, and lichen sclerosis, which causes the skin to recede and become more fragile.
Other causes can be herpes and vaginal ulcers. Intolerance to spermicides and latex condoms, as well as certain soaps, can also cause irritation.
- Vaginismus: It is usually considered a conditioned response and may be related to the anticipation of pain during intercourse.
Diagnosis
The tests that are carried out to diagnose female sexual dysfunction are aimed at detecting whether it is due to physical or psychological causes.
For this reason, tests will be carried out to determine if the patient suffers from diabetes, heart failure, nervous disorders, or hormonal problems. On the other hand, it will also be studied if you suffer from stress or anxiety and even if you consume any type of drug since these can reduce sexual desire.
Treatments of female sexual dysfunction
There is no valid and effective treatment for all women, therefore, a good understanding of the nature of the problem is essential to treat each woman.
The specialist will carry out a review of the clinical history that includes the medical, sexual, and social aspects.
Depending on the type of problem, you may have an examination and take a blood sample to test your hormone levels.
Other tests may include a urinalysis and blood pressure measurement, both of which may reveal diabetes or hypertension, both of which are possibly related to sexual dysfunction. The basic treatment options are sexual, psychosexual, and pharmacological therapies.
Pharmacological therapy is based on transdermal testosterone patches that gradually release very low doses of the hormone, which maintains stable levels of it and reduces side effects ( acne, body hair) associated with other administration systems such as injections.
For the treatment of vaginismus, there are effective solutions. Most include treatment by a psychologist or sexologist. Sex therapy has shown great effectiveness in cases of vaginismus.
The psychological reasons that cause vaginismus must be treated as well. Therapy may include relaxation techniques, the use of visual imagery, pelvic-type exercises, and cognitive behavioral programs.
Other data
What importance should be given to the fact of not having orgasms?
Orgasm is an experience that admits many varieties. When it occurs it can be very different each time, even in the same woman. His motives are not known. Being aware of one’s own body and its sexual responses is essential for it to occur.
The inability to reach orgasm after appropriate sexual stimulation can be a concern for a woman and her partner. The woman may experience feelings of failure and insecurity and may also blame her partner for it.
But detecting the cause of the problem can lead the patient to find an effective solution.
