Female Sexual Dysfunction
In women, “sexual dysfunction” encompasses many conditions related to one’s ability to have or enjoy sex. Sexual dysfunction may involve issues with desire, arousal, orgasm, or intercourse. Because the causes of sexual dysfunction vary, treatments for the condition also vary.
Female Sexual Dysfunction falls under theHealthy Aging & Longevitycategory.
Last Updated:October 13, 2024
Female sexual dysfunction refers to a range of conditions that impair a woman's ability to engage in or enjoy sexual activity. These conditions include hypoactive sexual disorder, sexual aversion disorder, female sexual arousal disorder, female orgasmic disorder, dyspareunia, and vaginismus.
The main signs and symptoms of female sexual dysfunction include a lack of sexual desire, difficulty in becoming aroused, difficulty or inability to orgasm, and painful intercourse. These symptoms can vary depending on the specific condition.
Female sexual dysfunction is diagnosed through a combination of interviews, physical examinations (especially pelvic exams), and blood tests. It's important to consider the individual's emotional, psychological, and cultural experiences of sex because not all dysfunctions have a physiological basis.
Medical treatments for female sexual dysfunction can include topical or systemic hormone therapy, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and psychiatric medications like antidepressants, depending on the specific nature of the dysfunction.
Maca is one of the most studied supplements for increasing libido in both men and women, and Tribulus terrestris may also provide a small improvement. Other supplements like fenugreek, Eurycoma longifolia, Panax ginseng, and Rhodiola rosea have shown promising but preliminary effects on libido.
Diet can affect female sexual dysfunction primarily through its effects on health conditions like obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes, which can negatively influence sexual function. Maintaining a balanced diet that supports healthy body weight and cardiovascular health is recommended to help mitigate these issues.
Treatments for female sexual dysfunction can include psychotherapy for psychological factors, education about sexual health, physical activity to enhance mood and body image, and the use of physiotherapy and vaginal dilators for issues related to vaginal muscle tension. These approaches aim to address both the emotional and physical aspects of sexual dysfunction.
Female sexual dysfunction can be caused by problems in the vascular, neurological, hormonal, and psychological systems, as well as physiological issues in the genitourinary, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological, and endocrine systems. Emotional and psychological factors — such as medication effects, anxiety, depression, trauma, cultural influences, body image issues, fatigue, and substance abuse — can also contribute to dysfunction.
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