“The question of being troubled is key when it comes to
any potential sexual disorder, since the issue is not
the sexual “problem or condition itself but whether…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Sexual Health and Female Sexual Dysfunction Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD)
  • Frigidity
  • Sexual Dysfunction In Females/Women
  • Sexual Problems In Females/Women

Definition

What is female sexual dysfunction (FSD)?

DotS the definition of FSD may vary. The (Australasian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health’s (JH) definition is:

“Sexual problems (often called sexual dysfunction) are usually defined to mean you are not able to experience sex as you would wish and this causes you distress”.2

In Female Sexual Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Persistent, recurrent problems with sexual response, desire, orgasm or pain — that distress you or strain your relationship with your partner — are known medically as sexual dysfunction”.3

FSD or Not

If a woman is not troubled by her sex life, does she have FSD?

In Sexual Health & Menopause Online: Sexual Problems At Midlife – Does the Problem Bother You or Your Partner? the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) explain:

“The question of being troubled is key when it comes to any potential sexual disorder, since the issue is not the sexual “problem” or condition itself but whether it is bothersome or troubling to the person or partners involved. For instance, if both partners in a couple are content to live without an active sex life, then a condition such as vaginal dryness or erectile difficulty does not really represent sexual dysfunction. Similarly, a woman who notices some decline in sexual desire over time may not be troubled by it if she is not in a relationship. However, if she meets a partner with high libido, she may start to see her low sex drive as a problem”.4

Types

What are some types of FSD?

In Sexual Dysfunction In Females: What are the Types of Sexual Dysfunction In Women? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic elaborate on:

“Sexual dysfunction in women is a disorder that can take many forms and have many causes. It can occur before, during or even after sex. The most common problems related to sexual dysfunction include:

  • Anorgasmia: Orgasmic disorder, or inability to have an orgasm
  • Dyspareunia: Pain during sex
  • Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: Low libido, or lack of sexual desire
  • Sexual arousal disorder: Difficulty becoming aroused”.5

In Sex & Sexual Health: Sexual Problems the JH explain:

“Problems often relate to:

Arousal
The physical response to sexual thoughts or activity such as lubrication and swelling of the genitals

Libido
The desire to take part in sexual activities either with a partner or yourself

Orgasm
The climax of sexual excitement, characterised by pleasure centred in the genitals

Frequency
How often you take part in sexual activities

Pain

  • Low abdominal or pelvic pain
  • Pain on the vulva or entrance to the vagina. This may be pain that occurs with intercourse or inserting a tampon, or it may occur on its own”.6

Anorgasmia

What is anorgasmia?

DotS the definition of anorgasmia may vary. The Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Anorgasmia is delayed, infrequent or absent orgasms — or significantly less-intense orgasms — after sexual arousal and adequate sexual stimulation. Women who have problems with orgasms and who feel significant distress about those problems may be diagnosed with anorgasmia”.7

Is there an association between anorgasmia and aging?

In Anorgasmia In Women: Symptoms & Causes – Causes: Physical Causes the Mayo Clinic explain:

  • “Age-Related Changes To the Body Changes to the body after menopause or later in life may contribute to various types of sexual dysfunction”.8

Is anorgasmia a concern?

In Anorgasmia In Women: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Talk to your health care provider if you have concerns about your sex life, especially if you’re concerned about your ability to have an orgasm”.9

FSD Common or Not

Sexual Health and Female Sexual DysfunctionHow common is FSD?

In Australia the JH note:

Sexual Health and Female Sexual Dysfunction

“About three out of five of women in Australia report one or more sexual problems”.10

In Sexual Dysfunction In Females: How Common Is Sexual Dysfunction In Women? the Cleveland Clinic note:

“Sexual dysfunction affects about 30% to 40% of women. A lack of desire is the most common complaint”.11

FSD Cause

What causes FSD?

In Female Sexual Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Overview: Causes the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

“Sexual problems often develop when your hormones are in flux, such as after having a baby or during menopause. Major illness, such as cancer, diabetes, or heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease, can also contribute to sexual dysfunction.

Factors — often interrelated — that contribute to sexual dissatisfaction or dysfunction include:

  • Physical…
  • Hormonal…
  • Psychological and social…”.12

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have FSD?

If you think you have FSD and this troubles you, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

In Sexual Health & Menopause Online: Talking To Your Healthcare Provider About Your Problem the NAMS reassure:

“If your provider asks about your sex life or sexual function, don’t miss the opportunity to be frank and look for help. More important, if your provider doesn’t ask specifically about your sexual function, don’t be afraid to bring up a distressing sexual problem yourself when you’re asked, “How are you feeling?” Most providers today are comfortable addressing such a problem; if your provider is not, consider looking for another.

There is absolutely no need to suffer (or let your relationship suffer) in silence”.13

The Mayo Clinic also encourage us to talk about sex explaining:

“Your health has a big impact on your sex life and vice versa. Don’t be embarrassed about discussing sex with your doctor. Your doctor can be a reliable source of information on sexual health. He or she can help you manage chronic conditions and medications that affect your sex life. Your doctor can help you understand how sexual activity may change throughout your life”.14

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Sexual Health and Female Sexual Dysfunction?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Sexual Health and Female Sexual Dysfunction?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Sexual Health & Menopause Online: Sexual Problems At Midlife – Does the Problem Bother You or Your Partner? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/sexual-problems-at-midlife Accessed: 04 April 2023
  2. Sex & Sexual Health: Sexual Problems. Updated May 2020:1. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/contents/documents/Resources/Fact_sheets/Sexual_health.pdf Accessed: 04 April 2023
  3. Female Sexual Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 17 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-sexual-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20372549 Accessed: 04 April 2023
  4. Sexual Health & Menopause Online: Sexual Problems At Midlife – Does the Problem Bother You or Your Partner? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/sexual-problems-at-midlife Accessed: 04 April 2023
  5. Sexual Dysfunction In Females: What Are the Types of Sexual Dysfunction In Women? Last Reviewed: 02 February 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9123-sexual-dysfunction-in-females Accessed: 04 April 2023
  6. Sex & Sexual Health: Sexual Problems. Updated May 2020:1. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/contents/documents/Resources/Fact_sheets/Sexual_health.pdf Accessed: 04 April 2023
  7. Anorgasmia In Women: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 30 April 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorgasmia/symptoms-causes/syc-20369422 Accessed: 04 April 2023
  8. Anorgasmia In Women: Symptoms & Causes: Causes – Physical Causes. 30 April 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorgasmia/symptoms-causes/syc-20369422 Accessed: 04 April 2023
  9. Anorgasmia In Women: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 30 April 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anorgasmia/symptoms-causes/syc-20369422 Accessed: 04 April 2023
  10. Sex & Sexual Health: Sexual Problems. Updated May 2020:1. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/contents/documents/Resources/Fact_sheets/Sexual_health.pdf Accessed: 04 April 2023
  11. Sexual Dysfunction In Females: How Common Is Sexual Dysfunction In Women? Last Reviewed: 02 February 2021. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9123-sexual-dysfunction-in-females Accessed: 04 April 2023
  12. Female Sexual Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Overview: Causes. 17 December 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-sexual-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20372549 Accessed: 04 April 2023
  13. Sexual Health & Menopause Online: Talking To Your Health Care Provider About Your Problem. North America Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/effective-treatments-for-sexual-problems/talking-to-your-healthcare-provider-about-your-problem Accessed: 04 April 2023
  14. Have Questions About Sex? Ask Your Doctor. 01 October 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/art-20048805 Accessed: 04 April 2023
Topic Last Updated: 04 April 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 04 April 2023

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