Sexual dysfunction, a common concern affecting many women at some point in their lives, encompasses a range of issues that can impact sexual desire, arousal, and satisfaction. Understanding and addressing these issues is a vital aspect of women’s health. At May-Grant OB/GYN, our team can treat sexual dysfunction through multiple approaches.
What is Sexual Dysfunction?
Sexual dysfunction refers to problems that cause issues with having a healthy sex life. Despite its prominence, sexual dysfunction is less commonly discussed in women’s healthcare. While most forms of sexual dysfunction refer to men, sexual dysfunction affects about 41% of premenopausal women worldwide, and about 77% of postmenopausal women develop sexual dysfunction due to vaginal atrophy.
Sexual dysfunction in women can be caused by various factors but can be traced down to at least four issues:
- Poor Sex Drive: Poor sex drive can become a problem when you’re worried about your sexual activity and repeatedly do not want to engage in any sexual activity. Medications, underlying medical conditions, and hormonal changes such as menopause can cause low sex drive. Mental health problems like depression, anxiety, stress, and relationship problems can also affect your sex life.
- Sexual Arousal Disorder: Sexual arousal disorder refers to a lack of sexual stimulation response or inability to maintain arousal. Sexual arousal disorder can exhibit emotional and physical symptoms caused by low estrogen levels, vaginal atrophy, heart disease, and mental health disorders.
- Painful Intercourse: Also known as dyspareunia, painful intercourse commonly occurs during and after menopause, which can cause vaginal atrophy. However, this problem can also occur in women with pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and other gynecologic conditions.
- Orgasmic Disorder: Orgasmic disorder is rare but does occur in about 18% of women worldwide. Orgasmic disorder is when you can’t achieve orgasm or experience minimal orgasms. This disorder can develop from other problems, such as stress, anxiety, relationship problems, and even underlying conditions, such as pelvic nerve damage.
Why Treatment for Sexual Dysfunction is Needed
Addressing sexual dysfunction is essential for overall well-being. It not only improves sexual health and intimate relationships but also enhances mental and emotional health. Treatment can significantly improve quality of life and self-esteem, and foster healthier, more satisfying relationships.
Treatments For Sexual Dysfunction at May-Grant OB/GYN
Sexual dysfunction can encompass many aspects of your life, impacting your relationships with yourself and your partners and leading to problems with day-to-day life. Our practice can treat sexual dysfunction in women and help women overcome their symptoms through effective treatments, including:
- Hormone Therapy: Women with low estrogen levels may benefit from estrogen therapy, which can help benefit sexual function by improving blood flow and lubrication.
- Vaginal Moisturizers/Lubricants: Our team can provide women experiencing vaginal dryness from the effects of menopause prescription lubricants to treat their discomfort and help improve stimulation during sexual intercourse.
- Antidepressants: Some antidepressant medications to treat depression and anxiety can help alleviate the psychological symptoms associated with sexual dysfunction.
- Medications: In other cases, prescription medications such as Osphena, Addyi, and Vylessi can provide ways to treat low sexual desire in perimenopause and menopausal women. For more information about these medications, please schedule an appointment with our physicians to learn more about your options.
Prevention
While not all causes of sexual dysfunction can be prevented, certain strategies can reduce risk:
- Maintaining open communication with partners about sexual needs and concerns.
- Prioritizing mental and emotional well-being.
- Regular physical activity and a balanced diet.
- Limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco use.
- Regular medical check-ups to manage overall health.
Outlook
With appropriate treatment and support, many women experience significant improvements in their sexual function and overall quality of life. The outlook is generally positive, as understanding and addressing the underlying causes can lead to effective management and resolution of symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is sexual dysfunction common among women?
A: Yes, it’s a common issue that many women experience at some point in their lives. It can occur due to various reasons, including hormonal changes, medical conditions, and psychological factors.
Q: Can hormonal changes affect sexual function?
A: Absolutely. Hormonal fluctuations, especially during menopause, pregnancy, or as a result of certain medications, can impact sexual desire and function.
Q: Is therapy a part of the treatment for sexual dysfunction?
A: Yes, therapy can be a crucial part of treatment, especially if there are emotional or psychological factors contributing to the dysfunction.
Q: Can lifestyle changes improve sexual dysfunction?
A: Definitely. Lifestyle changes such as exercise, diet, stress reduction, and quitting smoking can have a positive impact on sexual function.
Q: How confidential is the treatment process?
A: We ensure the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity in treating all aspects of women’s health, including sexual dysfunction.
Ready to Address Sexual Dysfunction? Contact Us!
If you’re experiencing symptoms of sexual dysfunction, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 717-397-8177. The May-Grant Team is committed to providing compassionate and effective treatment, helping you restore a fulfilling sexual life and overall well-being. Our dedicated specialists are here to support you through every step of the journey. Call today to schedule your confidential consultation and start your path to recovery.
