Sexual Dysfunction

Female sexual dysfunction is a general term to describe a problem with interest in or response to sex for a woman. Common causes include:

Types of Sexual Dysfunction Problems

Sexual dysfunction problems for women typically fall into four groups, and the issues within the groups may overlap:

Desire problems – Lack of desire is the most common sexual problem that women report. For some women, this is normal, and they may not feel like they want to have sex until they start to become aroused. Lack of desire is considered to be a problem when a woman:

Arousal problems – Arousal is the description of the physical and emotional changes that occur as the result of physical stimulation. Arousal difficulties can result from physical issues, such as medications, alcohol, smoking, illegal drug use, and medical conditions. They can also result from emotional issues, such as anxiety, stress, problems with your partner, and past negative sexual experiences.

Orgasmic problems – Not having an orgasm during sex may not be a problem. Many women enjoy the closeness of sex with their partner without needing to have an orgasm. But other women may feel it’s a problem and may want to find a solution. They may have never had an orgasm or had them at one time and now they don’t. It is common for women who don’t have orgasms to also have arousal problems, which may be tied to poor body image, fear of losing control, or distrust of her partner.

Painful sex – Nearly 75% of women have had pain during sex at some point in their lives. There are many different causes – if you have it frequently or if it is severe, talk to your provider to try and determine the cause.

How to Talk to Your Provider

If you have tried the tips above and they didn’t help, talking to your provider may be a good next step. Try opening the conversation with statements or questions like these:

“I am having some concerns about my sex life.”

“I don’t like to have sex like I used to.”

“I have been feeling depressed recently and my partner complains that I never want to have sex.”

“I have been having trouble with intimacy lately. What can I do?”

“I am just not interested in sex. Do you have any advice?”

“Getting older has affected my love life. Is there a fix?”

He or she will listen to your sexual dysfunction symptoms and work with you to figure out the best treatment. Call us at 307.637.7700 to make an appointment.

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