Sexual dysfunction is a medical term for persistent, recurrent issues with sexual response, desire, orgasm, or pain because you distress or strain your relationship with your partner.

At some point, many women struggle with their sexual function, and some continue to struggle throughout their lives. Female sexual dysfunction can happen at any phase of life. It can occur in any or all sexual situations, or just in particular ones.

The body’s physiology, emotions, experiences, beliefs, lifestyle, and relationships all play a complex role in sexual response. Any disruption can have an impact on sexual desire, arousal, or contentment, and treatment frequently involves multiple approaches.

Symptoms

The symptoms you experience depend on the kind of sexual dysfunction you have:

• Low sexual craving: This generally normal female sexual dysfunction includes an absence of sexual interest and eagerness to be sexual.
• Disorder of sexual arousal: Your craving for sex may be flawless, yet you experience issues with excitement or can’t become stimulated or keep up with excitement during sexual movement.
• A disorder of orgasm: After a sufficient amount of sexual arousal and ongoing stimulation, you have difficulty having an orgasm on a regular or persistent basis.
• Disorder of sexual pain: Vaginal contact or sexual stimulation cause pain in your body.

Causes

Sexual issues frequently create when your chemicals are in transition, like subsequent to having a child or during menopause. Sexual dysfunction can also be brought on by major illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease.

Sexual dissatisfaction or dysfunction is caused by a variety of factors, many of which are interconnected:

• Material. Sexual dysfunction can result from a variety of medical conditions, including cancer, kidney failure, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, and bladder issues. Your body’s ability to experience orgasm and sexual desire can be reduced by taking certain medications, such as some antidepressants, blood pressure medications, antihistamines, and chemotherapy drugs.

• Hormonal. After menopause, lower estrogen levels may alter your sexual responsiveness and genital tissues. When estrogen levels drop, there is less blood flowing to the pelvic area, which can cause less genital sensation and take longer to awaken and have an orgasm.

Additionally, the vaginal lining becomes less elastic and thinner, especially if you are not sexually active. These variables can prompt excruciating intercourse (dyspareunia). When hormone levels drop, so does sexual desire.

After giving birth and while breastfeeding, your body’s hormone levels change, which can make your vagina dry and affect your desire for sex.

• Mental and social. Sexual dysfunction can be brought on or made worse by untreated anxiety, depression, or long-term stress, as well as by a history of sexual abuse. The concerns of pregnancy and requests of being another mother might make comparative impacts.

Factors that increase your risk of sexual dysfunction include the following:

• Anxiety or depression

• Heart and blood vessel disease

• Neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury

• Gynecological conditions like vulvovaginal atrophy, infections, or lichen sclerosus

• Certain medications like antidepressants or high blood pressure medications

• Emotional or psychological stress, especially in relation to your relationship with your partner

• A history of sexual abuse

Treatment

 It’s essential to comprehend the physical or mental causes prior to picking treatments.

• Arousal strategies: Converse with your accomplice about various ways you can upgrade want and excitement. You might want to think about changing your sexual habits. You could also try erotic materials like videos, books, sexual stimulation devices, and massage.

• Consultation: A professional in mental health can be of assistance. You can deal with profound or mental hindrances to pleasurable sex. You can choose couples counseling or one-on-one counseling.

• Hormone treatment: Your doctor may suggest topical creams, medications given through the vaginal route, or hormones taken orally or applied to your skin, depending on your symptoms.

• Medicine: Flibanserin and bremelanotide are the main prescriptions supported to treat hypoactive sexual craving issues (low sex drive) in ladies. This kind of treatment is only appropriate for premenopausal women. Other medications used “off-label” to treat sexual dysfunction may be discussed with your provider.

• Management of pain: There are a few ways to deal with diminishing agony during intercourse. Before having sex, you can experiment with various sexual positions, vaginal lubricants, and relaxation techniques. Your supplier may likewise converse with you about the utilization of vaginal dilators.

PREVENTION

Despite the fact that there is no single method for preventing sexual dysfunction, you can lower your risk by:

• Avoiding drugs and drinking too much

• Consuming a nutritious diet.

• Working out frequently.

• Keeping a healthy weight for your body.

• Seeking the assistance of a medical professional if you are having difficulty communicating with your partner or experiencing mood swings.

Persistence

Sexual dysfunction may resolve on its own for some women. Additionally, it might only occur at specific times, like after childbirth or when hormones are changing. Sexual dysfunction may require ongoing treatment for other people. Sexual dysfunction frequently necessitates the assistance of a variety of healthcare professionals, including counselors and physical therapists.