The media tends to present s-éx as easy, good and spontáneous, implying that we all should always be in the mood for it. If only s-éx were that simple!
The issues of intimácy are of interest and concern to both men and women...
Many knowledgeable doctors now recognise the interrelationship between s-éx, s-éxuality and level of health, vitality and function of their patients’ lives. Many doctors now realise that s-éxual satisfaction is an indicator of overall health and are now including the area of s-éxuality in patients’ medical histories.
Doctors now evaluate patients with a view to not only help them with their presenting complaints, but to also look for opportunities to enhance and improve their s-éx life at the same time. Many patients, both male and female, are, however, uncomfortable with giving the details of this very personal area of their life. They may often just answer ‘Fine,’ ‘OK’ and ‘No problem’ when confronted with the s-éxual part of the medical questionnaire, even when all is not well with their s-éx life.
The overall attitude of secrecy, shame and uncertainty about the role of s-éxuality in overall health can be well summarised by a recent letter received by a physician”
“I am 52 years of age and so is my husband. It is about our s-éx life. It just seems like it’s gone. Is that normal for our age or can we be low on certain vitamins? Is there something we can get to boost our s-éx drive? We always had a good s-éx life and now it is totally gone.”
Participating in s-éxual activities is a good indicator of overall vitality. Loss of interest in s-éx is a very negative sign for a person’s good health and longevity. Blockages in s-éxual energy will often manifest as deterioration in general health or mental state.
As reflected in the e-mail, there is a general myth that s-éxual energy wanes and disappears with age. The e-mailer and her husband are only 52 years old, yet she wonders whether a séx life that is “just gone” might be normal for that age.
Well, it’s not normal for that age, or any other age for that matter. Continuing to have good health involves continuing to have a s-éx drive. Many things can sabotage a normal and enjoyable s-éx life. If you and your partner are experiencing problems with s-éx, you are not alone. Recent studies reveal that nearly 40 to 90 per cent of women of all ages report having s-éxual problems.
Many women experience s-éxual difficulties at some point in their lives. During menopause, as many as half of all women, or even more, may experience s-éxual dysfunction. S-éxual function is no exception. At age 60, for example, one’s s-éxual needs, patterns and performance may not be the same as they were when one was half that age.
What are female s-éxual problems?
There are a variety of s-éxual problems that women experience, either alone or with a partner. The term “s-éx” is not limited to just intercourse, and can also refer to a variety of intimate s-éxual activities such as fondling, self stimulátion or másturbation and oral s-éx.
S-éxual problems are generally defined as any problem that occurs in the course of s-éxual activity, including not being in the mood, trouble becoming arouséd, which usually involves being too dry; difficulty having orgásms, pain during s-éx or pain related to s-éxual activity.
Most women experience these from time to time. It is when they are persistent that they become problematic for the woman and her partner. You should seek help promptly if you are experiencing physical pain.
Defining the problems
S-éxual dysfunction is defined simply as a persistent or recurrent problem during one or more of the stages of having s-éx. It is not considered a s-éxual disorder unless you are distressed about it or if it negatively affects your relationship with your partner. Female S-éxual Dysfunction occurs in women of all ages.
Doctors and s-éx therapists generally divide s-éxual dysfunction in women into four categories. These are:
Low s-éxual desire
In this case, you have poor libido, or lack s-éx drive. This is the most common type of s-éxual disorder among women and it accounts for 87.2 per cent of cases of FSD. It is the persistent or recurrent lack of s-éxual thoughts and/or receptivity to s-éxual activity, which causes personal distress. Low s-éxual desire may result from endocrine failure and may be associated with psychological or emotional disorders. S-éxual aversion disorder is a subcategory of low s-éxual desire.
S-éxual á-rousal disorder
In this situation, your desire for s-éx might be intact, but you’re unable to become á-roused or maintain á-rousal during s-éxual activity. It is persistent or recurrent inability to reach or maintain s-éxual excitement, which causes personal distress. This disorder includes poor v-áginal lubrication, decreased genital sensation and poor v-áginal muscle relaxation. A-rousál disorders are most commonly physiological and can often result from medications, pelvic disorders, as well as neural and peripheral váscular diseases and accounts for 74.7 per cent of FSD.
FSD with o-rgásmic disorder, which accounts for 83.3 per cent of cases of FSD, comes with persistent or recurrent difficulty in achieving orgásm after sufficient s-éxual á-rousal and ongoing stimulátion. This causes personal distress and trauma to nerves. Pelvic surgery and spinal cord injury can be associated with o-rgásmic failure.
There is s-éxual pain disorder in which the v-ágina is painful after being s-éxually stimulatéd or touched. Subcategories include painful intercourse and v-ágina spasm. This may be caused by injuries during operations and physical or psychological trauma involving the pélvis. This accounts for 71.7 per cent of FSD.