Female Sexual Dysfunction

Sexuality is very complex and is coordinated by the neurologic (involving the nervous system), vascular (in relation to the vessels that transport and circulate fluids, i.e blood and lymph), and endocrine (relating to endocrine glands or the hormones secreted by them) systems.

Sexual dysfunction in it simplest sense is basically having problems with sex, whether it may be desire, arousal, orgasmic or pertaining to sexual pain. Sexual pain disorders include dyspareunia (medical term for difficult or painful sexual intercourse) and vaginismus (medical term for muscular contraction or spasm that causes the vagina to close). Up to 70% of couples have a problem with sex at some point in their relationship and about 40% of women suffer from sexual dysfunction.

The female equivalent of impotence is known as Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD). FSAD is the inability of a woman to complete sexual activity with adequate lubrication. FSAD patients have the desire to have sex but their genital area fails to respond in the normal way, making sex painful or even impossible.

The symptoms of sexual dysfunction may include lack of sexual desire, an inability to enjoy sex, insufficient vaginal lubrication, or a failure to achieve an orgasm despite being sexually aroused. Several factors contribute to this condition and these include, but are not limited to: alcohol, anxiety, depression, illness, stress, emotional problems, negative body perception (how you feel about your bodily appearances). In addition to these factors, things like particular medicines, vaginal infections and diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer may effect sexual dysfunction. Most importantly, hormonal changes in a woman can also cause sexual problems. Lower estrogen levels during menopause may lead to differences in genital tissues and sexual responsiveness. The folds of skin that cover the genital region (labia) shrink and become thinner, exposing more of the clitoris, resulting in reduced sensitivity of the clitoris or may cause an unpleasant tingling.

Treatment of this condition involves: understanding your body and its needs whether emotional, physical or otherwise; may include hormone replacement therapy; vascular treatment, which may require the use of Viagra; or seeking counselling and using certain medications. Performing Kegel exercises helps strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that are involved in pleasurable sensations by tightening the pelvic muscles as if stopping the flow of urine, then hold for a few seconds and release. On-going research suggest that Viagra, the anti-impotence drug for men, may help to treat sexual disorders in women by increasing blood flow to the sexual organs and consequently increase physical stimulation in the area. This treatment is however not absolute and is still being tested.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction (ED), formerly known as impotence, is a condition for males who have difficulty having or maintaining an erection at any point in time. ED varies from the total inability to have an erection, to an inconsistent ability to do so, to having brief erections. At times erectile dysfunction may be associated with being impotent but the word impotence is generalised and, in addition to ED, refers to other problems concerning ejaculation and production of normal sperm (as mentioned in Infertility).

ED is most common in men over 65 but can affect any male at any age. Although it becomes more common as you get older, it is not a natural part of aging. It is possible to categorize ED as two types: chronic ED and transient (temporary) ED. Transient ED prevails in as many as half the population of males while chronic ED is incident in about 5% of men in their 40s and around 15-25% of men 65 and older.

Causes of ED

Damage to nerves, arteries, smooth muscles, and fibrous tissues in or around the penis is the most common cause of erectile dysfunction. Causes may be related to arousal , the response of the nervous system, the response of the blood vessels, physiological problems (e.g. anxiety, stress, depression, guilt), negative feelings, nerve damage from diabetes, certain prescribed medications (e.g. appetite suppressants), multiple sclerosis, hormonal disorders, alcoholism and drug use.

Treatment Options

Erectile dysfunction is treatable at all ages. For some men, altering their diet, losing weight, exercising to stay in shape and dismissing unhealthy habits such as smoking and 'over-drinking'. If necessary other treatment options available include, but are not limited to: psychotherapy, drug therapy (e.g the use of inhibitors such as Levitra and Viagra), hormone replacement therapy (for those with testosterone deficiency), the use of vacuum devices, implantation, and surgery.