Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD)
Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice. Always seek the advice of your physician.
FSD is not a disease. This medical term is used to describe sexual problems in women that last more than 6 months. Some women have problems with sexual function throughout their lives, while others experience them at some point.
In fact, physiology plays a less important role in female sexuality. It mostly depends on feelings, relationships, our internal state, and the ability to experience these emotions. Male sexuality is based more on physiological factors. For this reason, "pink" or "female" Viagra has not yet been invented.
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, nearly half of women have symptoms of a sexual problem.
Types of Female Sexual Dysfunction
Dyspareunia — Painful Sexual Intercourse
During sex, a woman may feel pain in different areas.
- In the external genitals when touching or inserting a finger or penis into the vagina.
- In the vagina during frictions.
- Pressure against the cervix (deep pelvic pain).
In some cases, a woman can simultaneously experience all types of pain described above.
Anorgasmia — Orgasmic Dysfunction
A woman either cannot reach orgasm or has trouble reaching orgasm when she is aroused.
- Absolute anorgasmia — an inability to achieve orgasm under any circumstances or conditions.
- Partial anorgasmia — a woman can experience orgasm during masturbation or sexual dreams, but not during intercourse or when the partner stimulates erogenous zones.
- Relative anorgasmia — when orgasm is only reached under certain conditions, for example, in a particular position, with stimulation of specific erogenous zones.
Feeling depressed after sex without orgasm for a long period can become a root cause of future migraines, neuroses, and depression. It undermines couple relationships and deprives both partners of self-esteem. The woman may feel isolated and lose trust in her partner.
Low or Absent Sex Drive
The absolute lack of sexual desire is much more common in women than men. This type of sexual disorder is associated with mental health, endocrine, genitourinary systems, and other factors. Doctors consider it a problem only if a particular patient experienced a decrease in libido compared to the previous period. Reduced sex drive is an alarming sign, especially if it lasts from 4 to 6 months.
There is no diagnostic test or general symptoms for low libido. A patient can be too shy, embarrassed to talk about it or vice versa, radiate sexual attraction.
Vaginismus — Spasm of the Vaginal and Pelvic Floor Muscles
The muscles go into spasm when attempting to insert a penis into the vagina or thinking about intercourse. Vaginismus is a body response to the fear of sex or penetration of a foreign object into the vagina.
Why does Sexual Dysfunction Occur?
Female sexuality is closely associated with our psychological and physical health. Self-esteem, resentment, disease, fears have a huge impact on sexuality.
Causes of Sexual Dysfunction in Women
- Emotional factors: relationship problems, lack of sexual communication, low expectations for sex, low self-esteem, embarrassment, awkwardness, inability to relax.
- Lack of experience: shyness and fear of intercourse.
- Psychological factors: stress, anxiety, depression, overexertion, lack of trust in a relationship.
- Menopause. After menopause, a drop in estrogen levels leads to vaginal dryness and reduced sensitivity of the genital tissues.
- Endocrine and hormonal conditions affecting the sensitivity of the genitals. For example, hypothyroidism, liver or kidney disease.
- Heart and blood vessel problems.
- Neurological conditions affecting nerves in the brain, spine, or pelvis: for example, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke.
- Alcohol, drugs, smoking. In the long term, any bad habit affects blood flow and tissue sensitivity, leading to depression.
- Medication. Antidepressants, hormone medications, blood pressure treatments, medications used in mental health, sedatives, stronger painkillers, antiepileptic drugs can lower sex drive in women.
How is Sexual Dysfunction Diagnosed?
- The doctor will interview you and your partner.
- Physical examination.
- Laboratory tests.
The success of sexual dysfunction treatment depends on the underlying cause of the problem. Most patients have a favorable outcome after treatment.
You can take a sexual dysfunction test.