Sexual Health and Female Sexual Dysfunction

“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. 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”.²

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”.³

Types

What are some types of FSD?

In Sexuality: Sexual Problems the JH elaborate on:

“Different types of problems often relate to the different areas of sexual functioning: libido, arousal, orgasm and frequency of sexual activity”.⁴

In Female Sexual Dysfunction: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms the Mayo Clinic explain:

“Symptoms vary depending on what type of sexual dysfunction you’re experiencing:

Low sexual desire. This most common of female sexual dysfunctions involves a lack of sexual interest and willingness to be sexual
Sexual arousal disorder. Your desire for sex might be intact, but you have difficulty with arousal or are unable to become aroused or maintain arousal during sexual activity
Orgasmic disorder. You have persistent or recurrent difficulty in achieving orgasm after sufficient sexual arousal and ongoing stimulation
Sexual pain disorder. You have pain associated with sexual stimulation or vaginal contact”.⁵

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”.⁶

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”.⁷

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”.⁸

FSD Common or Not

How common is FSD?

In Australia the JH note:

“Just over 60% of Australian women have reported that they have had a sexual problem in the past year. Half of women reported a lack of interest in sex, and about a quarter report pain or lack of pleasure with sex”.⁹

In Sexual Dysfunction the (United States) Cleveland Clinic note in October 2020:

“Some 43% of women and 31% of men report some degree of sexual dysfunction”.¹⁰

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…”.¹¹

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”.¹²

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”.¹³

Health Topics A-Z

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

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

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

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.