Hunterdon

Androgens and estrogen are hormones that are thought to play key roles in female sexual responses. When androgen levels decrease, desire and arousal may be reduced. Decreases in androgen levels may be caused by surgical removal of the ovaries, use of birth control pills and certain medications, and the effects of some diseases. Decreased estrogen levels (such as during perimenopause and menopause) may cause vaginal dryness and lead to pain during intercourse.

Other Causes

Some illnesses and many drugs can interfere with sex. Stress can be a major factor. Relationship problems with your partner may affect sex. Past negative experiences often contribute to sexual problems. Sexual problems also can be caused by depression and anxiety hunterdon.

Types of Sexual Problems

“Female sexual dysfunction” is a general term for a problem with interest in or response to sex. Knowing the types of common sexual problems may be useful. Sexual problems fall into four groups, which often overlap:

Desire problems

Arousal problems

Orgasmic problems

Sexual pain disorder

Desire Problems

Lack of desire is the most common sexual concern reported by women. Desire is often present in new relationships but tends to decrease as time goes on. A lack of desire before having sex is normal for some women. They may not feel that they want to have sex until they begin to engage in sexual activity and become aroused. A lack of desire is considered a disorder when a woman

does not want to engage in any type of sexual activity, including masturbation

does not have (or has very few) sexual thoughts or fantasies

is worried or concerned about these issues

Arousal Problems

Arousal is the name given to the physical and emotional changes that occur in the body as a result of sexual stimulation. For women, the following changes occur during arousal:

Blood pressure goes up.

Heart rate, breathing, and temperature increase.

The nipples, labia, and clitoris fill with blood and become more sensitive.

The vagina lubricates and expands.

Arousal can be affected by many things, including medications, alcohol, smoking, illegal drug use, and medical conditions. Anxiety, stress, problems with your partner, and past negative sexual experiences also can cause arousal difficulties.

There are different kinds of arousal disorders. Some women with arousal disorders may not feel mental or physical excitement from sex. Some may feel only mental excitement and do not have a physical response, or vice versa. Others may dislike the feelings of arousal or may be indifferent to them. Arousal disorders often overlap with desire disorders hunterdon.

Orgasmic Problems

Women sometimes have a hard time reaching orgasm. Not having an orgasm during sexual activity may not be a problem. Sharing love and closeness without having an orgasm is satisfying for many women. However, other women may feel that not having an orgasm is a problem. They may want to find a solution.

Women with orgasmic disorders may never have had an orgasm from sexual encounters, or they may have had orgasms at one time but no longer have them, despite healthy arousal. The intensity of orgasm may have decreased, which can occur with age. A common issue is a woman who is able to have an orgasm during masturbation but cannot have an orgasm with her partner. Although not considered a disorder, communicating with her partner about the activities that lead to orgasm for her may be helpful.

Orgasmic disorder may be caused by a poor body image or a fear of losing control. It also may occur when a woman does not trust her partner. It is common for women who do not have orgasms to have arousal problems.

Sexual Pain Disorder

Painful sex may be a lifelong or short-term condition. Pain that occurs during sexual activities other than intercourse is called “noncoital sexual pain disorder.” Pain during intercourse is called dyspareunia. It includes pain that occurs during the following situations:

During partial or complete entry into the vagina

During thrusting

During urination after sex

Most sexually active women have had pain during sex at some point in their lives. If it occurs often or is severe, a woman should see her health care provider.

Self-Help

A problem with sex is only a concern if it causes you distress or worry. A sexual problem may not affect your life in any way. However, if it is affecting your well-being and your relationship with your partner, and you are worried about these feelings, you may want to seek a solution.

There are many things that you can do alone or with a partner to address a sexual problem. Educate yourself. Check out the library or bookstore for books about sex. Learn about your body and how it works. Understand that sex for both partners can include activities other than intercourse, such as oral sex, manual stimulation with a partner, and masturbation with and without a partner. Try non-sexual, but sensual, activities like massage. Talk to your partner about your likes and dislikes. An open, honest talk can lead to greater understanding and help clear up conflicts. Learn to separate sex from stress. For example, couples with fertility issues may want to try having sex just for the sake of pleasure and intimacy rather than for achieving pregnancy hunterdon.

Smoking, alcohol, and drugs can affect sexual response for both women and men. Smoking can slow down blood flow in the sexual organs and cause arousal problems. Alcohol and drugs affect how your body responds. A good first step in addressing sexual problems is to stop or limit smoking and the use of drugs or alcohol.

Before you see your health care provider about sexual concerns, you may want to try some of the following tips first.

For enhanced desire

Address and work toward resolving relationship concerns, stresses, and misunderstandings about sex as well as other issues that may be affecting you and your partner.

Focus less on intercourse and more on intimacy.

Improve your sex knowledge and skills.

Make time for sexual activity and focus on enjoyment and pleasuring each other.

For increased arousal

Be well rested. Hunterdon

Increase the time spent on foreplay.

Try a vaginal Hunterdon lubricant for dryness.

Do Kegel exercises (contract and relax pelvic muscles)

Do not smoke.

To help you have an orgasm

Increase sexual stimulation.

Try sexual toys.

Use mental imagery and fantasy.

To minimize Hunterdon pain

Try different positions or sexual activities that do not involve intercourse.

Allow plenty of time for arousal before penetration.

Use a lubricant.

Empty your bladder before sex.

Take a warm bath.

Seeing Your Health Care Provider

If you have tried the self-help tips and still have a problem that is causing you distress, see your health care provider. If your health care provider does not ask you about sex, bring up the topic yourself. Some women find talking with their health care providers about sex to be difficult or embarrassing. Being open, however, makes it more likely that your health care provider will know Hunterdon how to help you. It helps to bring up the subject early in the visit. You could start off with a statement like:

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

“I do not enjoy sex like I used to.”

“I am feeling sad lately; my partner is complaining I never want sex.”

Keeping a journal of your symptoms may be helpful (see box “Keeping a Journal”). You can be more specific when you talk about your symptoms and any changes you have noticed if you keep a journal. Use your notes to tell your health care provider about your symptoms:

“It hurts when I have sex.”

“I am having problems with vaginal dryness.”

“Urinating after sex is painful.”

“I used to be able to have orgasms, but now I do not. Why is this happening?”

Here are some other questions you might ask:

“Lately, I have been having trouble with intimacy. 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?”