Did You Know Females Can Suffer From Sexual Dysfunction Too?

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 4 years ago · 7 min read

Even though men seem to get the most attention when it comes to sexual dysfunction, sexual problems are common in both men and women yet rarely talked about. Many feel embarrassed by their struggles with sexual performance and are hesitant to even open up to their physician about it, much less their partner. However, sexual dysfunction is treatable, and sharing your concerns with a doctor can help you figure out the underlying causes of concerns and formulate a treatment plan. Being open and honest with your partner can help relieve any tension or stress that you are associating with intimacy, bringing you to a place where you are willing to work through the situation.

Causes of Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction refers to any problems that arise during the sexual response cycle that will prevent an individual or both partners from experiencing complete satisfaction. The four stages of the response cycle include excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. Typically, the older an individual gets the more there will be variations within these phases, but the overall causes of true dysfunction are often linked to the following psychological or physical factors.

• Physical causes. Many times a medical condition or physical issue can wreak havoc in sexual activity. Some of the more common conditions include obesity, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, neurological conditions, heart disease, liver or kidney disease,  and substance abuse. Sometimes certain medications can interfere with one’s sex drive and performance, with antidepressants often being a cause of a medication complication with sexual functions.
• Psychological causes. Sex is more than just a physical response to stimulation, as the body reacts to stimuli according to emotional and mental signals that then foster the responses of the physical hardware. If there is a lot of stress or anxiety in your life, your performance in bed is probably suffering. Issues within the relationship, feelings of guilt, negative body image, depression, performance anxiety, and negative experiences of sexual trauma in the past can all inhibit satisfaction during sex.

Effects on Women

The symptoms of sexual dysfunction in women have some of the same elements as men who suffer from erectile dysfunction. Even though there is more discussion concerning male ED than women's sexual health, ignoring these symptoms can have a negative impact on other areas of a woman’s life. There are four areas of symptoms that are easily recognized as abnormal, helping females see that their condition is beyond their control.

1. Inhibited Sexual Desire. This inhibition can include both a lack of a desire for sex and a lack of sexual desire altogether. The factors contributing to the lack of desire can range from medical conditions, hormone changes, medications like chemotherapy, pregnancy, fatigue, or mental health concerns like anxiety or depression. Even though it may be difficult to admit to their partner, lack of interest and enthusiasm for sex may be a result of boredom in the bedroom. If this is the case, adding a tool like Scream Cream can help improve your desire, your experience of pleasure, and help you achieve better orgasms.

2. Difficulty With Arousal. For women, physical arousal is often accompanied by vaginal lubrication. If sufficient arousal does not occur, it can make penetration painful and reject the advances. The source of arousal difficulty could be related to emotional issues like anxiety or a lack of adequate stimulation. Medical problems with blood flow to the clitoris and vagina may also create problems with arousal. Using lubricants that help improve the blood flow into the area and stimulate arousal can help with this symptom.

3. Lack of Orgasm. If a woman does not receive sexual climax or orgasm, it can definitely put a halt on the sexual process and overall desire. Anorgasmia, or the lack of orgasm, can be caused by several factors, with things like inexperience, sexual inhibitions, and psychological factors affecting the overall result of the sexual encounter. Medications and chronic diseases can also be impacting factors.

4. Painful Intercourse. Sex should not be painful, so any pain or discomfort continually experienced during intercourse should prompt you to see a physician. Issues with the reproductive organs, like endometriosis, ovarian cysts, scar tissue, a pelvic mass, or vaginitis can make it painful to have sex. Women can also suffer from a condition called vaginismus, which causes involuntary spasms with the muscles near the vaginal entrance. This can prevent penetration, and the causes for the spasm are often related to psychological factors.

If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms on a regular basis, it’s time to talk to your healthcare provider about female sexual dysfunction. A diagnosis may require a physical exam, pelvic exam, or Pap smear, but then getting to the bottom of the problem can help find the right treatment plan. Soon you can be on your way to putting the fun and thrill back into your sex life.

Nu Image Medical® offers a new and futuristic approach to achieving optimal health and wellness. The company has been a weight loss, anti-aging and wellness provider since 2004 and offers medically supervised programs for medical weight loss, peptides, erectile dysfunction, scream cream, and hair loss (NuDew) 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.