Sexuality
Female sexual dysfunction is a disorder that occurs when there is a significant change in a woman's usual sexual behavior.
Sexuality
Sexual thoughts and fantasies decrease or even disappear, and relationships are postponed or avoided.
In addition, there is an inability to enjoy life and this affects 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.
Types of female sexual dysfunction
Hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction
Some women may experience a lack of desire at certain times in their lives, for example during pregnancy and childbirth, breastfeeding, menopause, and during periods of crisis or illness. For others, this condition may become chronic. Symptoms include a lack of interest in initiating or participating in sexual acts, a lack of receptivity to sexual activity, and an absence of sexual thoughts or fantasies.
Causes of loss of desire
- Physical: Surgical interventions, hormonal disorders and certain diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, polycystic ovaries, and depression.
- Other factors: Changes in contraceptive methods, fatigue, stress, mood swings, obesity, relationship with partner, traumatic sexual episodes, urinary incontinence, fibroids, and excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs. Lack of time can also cause a loss of sexual desire. It may also be due to sexual routine or something in the partner that causes rejection.
Treatment
There is no single treatment that is valid and effective for all women, therefore a good understanding of the nature of the problem is essential for treating each woman. Initially, a detailed medical history is needed, including the sexual and social aspects. Depending on the type of problem, an examination may be carried out and a blood sample taken to analyse hormone levels. Other tests may include a urine test and blood pressure measurement, which may reveal diabetes or hypertension, both of which may be related to sexual dysfunction. The basic treatment options are sexual, psychosexual and pharmacological therapies.
Drug therapy
It is based on transdermal testosterone patches that gradually release very low doses of the hormone, which maintains stable levels of the hormone and reduces the side effects (acne, body hair) associated with other administration systems such as injections. The patches have been shown to increase both sexual activity and sexual desire by more than 50 percent in women with surgical menopause. In addition, there are also improvements in arousal, orgasm and pleasure.
Sexual arousal disorder
There are physical problems that impede blood flow or nerve endings in the genital area. The causes may be diabetes, coronary disease, arteriosclerosis, or spinal injuries, as they can interfere with the messages sent from the genital organs to the brain. An adequate amount of hormones is required to make us feel sexually aroused. The physical problem is often accompanied by other problems such as lack of sexual interest. This may be due to a problem such as poor or inadequate stimulation by the partner.
Pain associated with intercourse
Types of pain or dyspareunia:
- Deep dyspareunia: The main causes may include pelvic inflammatory disease, gynecologic or pelvic surgery, radiation therapy for gynecologic tumors, uterine or vaginal tumors and fibroids, endometriosis (thickening of the wall of the uterus), urinary tract infections, ovarian cysts, lack of lubrication or a sexually transmitted infection. It may also be the result of a certain position during intercourse in which penetration is greater.
- Mild dyspareunia: This is common and has many causes. Symptoms may include itching or burning and the area may be swollen and irritated. This pain may also be felt at other times than during intercourse, for example during activities such as walking, running or cycling. Skin problems can also affect the area around the vagina, such as eczema, warts, psoriasis and lichen sclerosus, which causes the skin to tighten and become more fragile. Other causes include herpes and vaginal ulcers. Intolerance to spermicides and latex condoms, as well as certain soaps, can also cause irritation.
Vaginismus
It is often considered a conditioned response and may be related to the anticipation of pain during intercourse.
Types of vaginismus:
- Primary vaginismus: When the woman has never experienced vaginal penetration.
- Secondary vaginismus: When the woman has had experience of penetration but has developed it later.
Causes
Belief that the vagina is too small, negative feelings about sex and sexuality, previous sexual abuse, vaginal trauma (such as childbirth), painful first intercourse, relationship problems, fear of pregnancy, and strict religious beliefs.
Treatment
There are effective solutions to treat vaginismus. Most involve therapeutic treatment by a psychologist or sexologist. Sexual therapy has proven highly effective in cases of vaginismus. The psychological reasons that cause vaginismus must be treated. Treatment may include relaxation techniques, the use of visual images, pelvic exercises, and cognitive behavioral programs.
Orgasmic disorder
How much importance should be given to 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. The reasons for it are not known. Being aware of one's own body and its sexual responses is essential for it to occur.
Common difficulties in achieving orgasm: The inability to achieve orgasm after appropriate sexual stimulation can be a cause for concern for a woman and her partner. The woman may experience feelings of failure and insecurity and may also blame her partner for this.
Primary difficulties
Those cases that have never had an orgasm. It is common and occurs more frequently in young women.
Secondary difficulties
They have reached orgasm on previous occasions but then difficulty has arisen.
The ability to experience orgasm increases with age and once learned, it is usually not forgotten. Like sexual arousal, orgasm can be felt in the brain as well as in the body.
