If you struggle with sexual dysfunction, it’s important to know you’re not alone. Sexual dysfunction affects about 41% of premenopausal women worldwide. And that doesn’t include 77% of postmenopausal women who develop sexual dysfunction due to vaginal atrophy. The team at May-Grant Obstetrics & Gynecology have extensive experience helping women overcome all types of sexual problems. To schedule an appointment, use online booking or call the Lancaster, Elizabethtown, Columbia, Ephrata, Intercourse, Willow Street, Lititz or Lebanon, Pennsylvania, office location.
Sexual dysfunction encompasses any problem that stops you from having a satisfying sex life. Although there are numerous causes, sexual dysfunction comes down to four primary problems: Lack of sexual desire, inability to become aroused, inability to orgasm, and painful intercourse.
Lack of desire is the most common sexual problem reported by women. Some women have temporary problems that affect their desire like stress or lack of sleep.
Lack of desire becomes a problem when:
Hormonal changes, medication, or an underlying medical condition may cause your lack of desire. Depression, anxiety, and troubles with your partner also affect your desire.
Sexual arousal disorder occurs when you don’t respond to sexual stimulation, or you can't maintain the arousal. This may be due to a disorder of nerves or blood vessels. You may not feel emotionally stimulated, you may not experience physical arousal like vaginal lubrication, or both.
Loss of sexual arousal develops due to problems such as:
Medications treat many of these problems, but the team at May-Grant Obstetrics & Gynecology offer comprehensive care that helps with all facets of female sexual arousal disorder.
Many women think that not being able to have an orgasm is a rare problem, yet it’s estimated to affect 18% of women, and it’s recognized with a diagnosis. That means it’s an acknowledged problem that affects your ability to have a healthy sex life.
You may have orgasmic disorder when you can’t achieve orgasm, the intensity of your orgasm is minimal, or both. In many cases, orgasmic disorder develops for the same reasons as other sexual problems, such as stress, anxiety, relationship problems, and underlying medical conditions, including pelvic nerve damage.
Painful intercourse or dyspareunia is common after menopause when loss of estrogen causes vaginal atrophy. However, many women struggle with the problem long before they reach menopause.
In addition to hormonal changes, gynecologic conditions that cause painful intercourse include:
Birth control pills can also cause a change in hormones so that you may have burning just outside the vagina when you have intercourse. Treatment for sexual dysfunction is as individual as each woman and is based on their underlying problem. To get help for sexual problems, call May-Grant Obstetrics & Gynecology or book an appointment online.
