| Female Sexual Disorders & Dysfunctions |
- Psychological Disorders
- Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
- Sexual Aversion Disorder
- Female Sexual Arousal Disorder
- Female Dysfunctions
- Female Orgasmic Disorder
- Sex Pain Disorders
- Dyspareunia (dis-pa-roon-ia)
- Vaginismus
- Treatments for female sexual dysfunction
- Female Genitalia Diagram
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Female sexual dysfunction is a chronic disturbance in the sexual response cycle. This dysfunction may be the result of a psychological, physical or medical condition.
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These disorders cause personal distress and may not be accounted for by a medical condition. A distinction is made between disorders that are life-long and those that are acquired, as well as those that are situational and generalized.
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Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
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This condition is characterized by a lack of sexual desire. There is no interest in initiating sex and little desire to seek stimulation. Causes include conditions or medications that interfere with nerve signals, such as hormone deficiencies and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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This condition is an aversion to or avoidance or dismissal of sexual prompts or sexual contact and can last throughout life if not treated. Caused primarily by psychological factors resulting from traumatic experiences, such as sexual or physical abuse, painful sexual experiences, feelings of shame and guilt, or negative feelings about sex learned in childhood. |
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Arousal disorder is the inability to achieve and progress through the normal stages of female arousal. The woman is unable to enter into the excitement phase through attaining or maintaining an adequate physical response to sexual excitement.
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Even with adequate lubrication the woman is unable to complete the sexual activity. Usually there is an absence of vaginal lubrication along the swelling of the woman’s external genitalia. These symptoms are considered a disorder when they result in a problem within a couple’s interpersonal relationship. |
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Arousal disorders are often secondary to inadequate stimulation by the partner. This is particularly true among older women who require more stimulation to reach the point of arousal. When having sex with a partner the man needs to get his mind off of himself and spend a little more time making sure that his partner is satisfied. |
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As a woman ages she will usually require a little more time and attention to reach orgasm. The slam, bam thank you maam is unrewarding for a woman. Without adequate stimulation sex can become extremely boring, especially for an older woman that has had coitus countless times and is now experiencing hormonal change. If a man is only interested in a quick orgasm, he can achieve that with his own hand. If the man is interested in an enjoyable sexual encounter with his partner then he needs to make it enjoyable for the both of them. |
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Some women need a little more help than what they can get through foreplay alone. Sometimes they are too tense, they had a hard day at the office or a rough day with the kids and while they would like to enjoy a romp in the sack it is hard for them to settle down. We all need to learn to relax and allow our troubles to fall aside if only for a little while. This is your day, take a nice warm bath, sip a glass of wine and enjoy the beauty of life. Don’t allow your troubles to steal life away. They may still be there tomorrow but a refreshed attitude can help you solve them. |
| Female Orgasmic Disorder |
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Female orgasmic disorder is characterized as the delay or absence of orgasm after normal arousal. This disorder may result from a traumatic experience but also through inter-relational problems. Female Orgasmic Disorder occurs due to a significant delay or total absence of orgasm associated with sexual activity. The condition must cause problems in the relationship with the sexual partner to be defined as a disorder. |
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Anorgasmia: The primary causes of anorgasmia are psychological, cultural, social or other relationship conditions. This condition is often caused by sexual inexperience or insufficient stimulation and is very common in women that have been unable to experience orgasm. Where the female is unable to achieve orgasm and pain is not involved, the male may need to be educated on how he can assist his partner in reaching a climax. |
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Sex Pains Disorder
Dyspareunia (dis-pa-roon-ia)
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Dyspareunia is marked by genital pain before, during, or after intepain may rcourse. Not all women experience the same type or intensity of pain. The be during entry into the vagina, located anywhere within the vagina from the surface to middle pelvis, or only associated with deep thrusting. With some women the pain is experienced following intercourse.
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Vaginismus is the involuntary contraction of the perineal muscles around the outer third of the vagina as a response to attempted penetration. This condition is commonly related to sexual phobias, past abuse or trauma. Sometimes it is complete or other times it is situation where some entry is fine but other kinds are not. Therapy is often the best treatment for this condition. Treatment usually consists of progressive muscle relaxation and vaginal dilation (a misnomer as the vagina is not physically stretched). A woman can learn progressive muscle relaxation methods where she will learn to relax the pelvic muscles around the examiner’s finger. Through the use of vaginal dilation, commercial dilator or tampons, a woman can learn to increase the diameter of her vagina to allow penetration. (Unless your would just rather find a man with a tiny penis!).
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Treatments For Female Sexual Dysfunction May Include:
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Eros Therapy a clitoris pump that uses a suction cup and handheld vacuum device to increase blood flow to the clitoris and external genitalia, which improves clitoral and genital sensitivity, lubrication, and the ability to experience orgasm. Several weeks of conditioning may be required before experiencing the benefits of this therapy.
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Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) is used to increase libido, improve clitoral sensation, and decrease pain during intercourse for women in menopause. For women with other estrogen-depleting conditions, topical estrogen cream and Estring can also help with vaginal irritation, pain, or dryness.
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Testosterone used most effectively in menopausal women to increase libido and clitoral sensitivity.
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Medications are now being used in the treatment of female sexual dysfunctions. Viagra (Sildenafil), used in men with erectile dysfunction, is currently being tested in women and there is some evidence that it may restore libido lost to antidepressant use.
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Lubricants: Vaginal lubricants are used to relieve dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, and irritation. These are available over the counter. Some women have experienced increased sensitivity and assistance in achieving orgasm through the use of nonprescription topical solutions, such as Sensua or Viagel.
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Vaginal Dilators: Inserted into the vagina for 15 minutes, twice daily, to treat vaginismus.
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Pelvic Exercises: Kegel exercises and techniques to relax the vaginal muscles and relieve orgasmic disorders and vaginismus.
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Vascular treatment (including treatment of the underlying disorder).
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Recognizing The Problem
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Educating a couple on how to talk about and respond to a woman’s psychological and physical stimulatory needs is extremely beneficial when both partners recognize that there is a problem. Behavioral and sex therapists stress the importance of the need for partners to examine the actual act of having sex, including foreplay, intercourse, and talking about sex. In some cases the assistance of a sex therapist or psychologist is an important step toward improving communication between partners.
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The lack of adult sex does not always indicate a dysfunction. |
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All adults need to make choices for personal, religious or cultural reasons.
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