Female Sexual Health
Sexual health is important for overall emotional and physical well-being of a woman.
There are many factors which can lead to the inability to enjoy sex. Sexual needs may vary depending upon stress, personal commitments, aging, disease, medications and unmet needs that cause differences with the partner.
In the long run, these unmet needs can lead to resentment and isolation. The problems that can affect a woman’s ability to enjoy sex are referred to as sexual dysfunctions that include decreased sexual desire, inability to achieve orgasm, vaginismus and painful intercourse. Majority of women experience one or more of these problems.
Female Sexual Health – Types
Types of sexual dysfunction in women:
Low sexual desire is also known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder:
- the most common form of sexual dysfunction in women;
- lack of or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity; and
- diminished desire to participate and enjoy sexual activity.
Orgasmic disorder: finding difficulty in reaching orgasm after sufficient sexual stimulation affects a significant number of women.
Sexual pain disorder:
- Painful sexual intercourse – the pain can be in the genital area or deep inside the pelvis. The pain is sharp, burning or similar to menstrual cramps.
- Vaginismus – it is the spasm of the muscles around the vagina that leads to pain, making penile penetration impossible.
Female Sexual Health – Causes
Low sexual desire
Emotional reasons can be the cause of low sexual desire. This includes the following:
- abuse;
- anxiety/fear/worries;
- harsh sexual experience;
- fear of intimacy;
- fear to lose control;
- fear of pain;
- negative self-image;
- fear of pregnancy;
- fear of sexually transmitted infections; and
Social factors:
- cultural or spiritual background;
- relationship issues;
- family set-up, i.e., living in joint families, lots of distractions, etc.;
- lack of space;
- fatigue from caring for young children and old parents; and
- too much alcohol or excessive smoking may also cause lack of sexual desire.
Diseases:
- atrophic vaginitis – thinning of the vaginal wall due to menopause;
- dryness/reduced vaginal lubrication;
- hormonal issues;
- chronic illness, such as blood pressure and diabetes;
- pelvic surgery;
- depression; and
- poor health.
Medications for convulsions, heart disease, anti-depressants and opioids.
Risk factors
- alcohol and smoking and
- conditions related to aging, such as menopause.
- lack of sexual thoughts;
- lack of sexual stimulation;
- lack of sexual fantasies;
- lack of interest in any sexual activity;
- dryness of vagina;
- pain during intercourse; and
- difficulty reaching orgasm.
Diagnosis
Our doctors will take complete case details which will help make the diagnosis. These will include the following:
- medical history
- medications
- emotional and psychological details, such as the following:
- fear, anxiety, guilt, embarrassment;
- family set up and circumstances;
- stress levels at home, at work and socially;
- self-belief and attitude towards sexual activities; and
- familial and societal beliefs regarding sexual activities.
- sexual history
Emotional complications
Low sex drive in women has many emotional complications; some of them include the following:
- frustration;
- isolation;
- strained relationships;
- fear of losing your partner;
- fear of rejection;
- insecurity;
- negative self-image;
- self-criticism;
- worthlessness;
- sadness; and
Female Sexual Health – Treatment
It is important to keep in mind that female sexual dysfunction is treatable, and with homeopathic treatment, most women have shown significant improvement in their sexual health. Homeopathy offers a holistic approach, which treats patients at the level of the body as well as the mind, which is primarily essential for sexual dysfunction patients.
Homeopathic treatment has shown good results for lack of libido and inability to get aroused, especially because the cause is psychological in most of the women. It also helps immensely in cases of painful intercourse.
Persistent anxiety about treatment results can also be a hindrance for good treatment response. Most often, patients who seek treatment have hit a rough patch in their personal lives and relationships due to their problem and have lost patience to stick to the treatment. Counselling of the patient’s partner is also important along with the patient, to help in attaining a positive treatment response. It is in the best interest of the patients that they opt for early treatment for their sexual troubles, which can offer effective results and prevent any further progress of the condition.