![Four categories of female sexual problems include desire disorders, arousal disorders, orgasmic disorders, and sexual pain disorders. Other causes may include hormone deficiencies that occur during perimenopause and menopause.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/female-sexual-problems.jpg?output-quality=75)
Female sexual problems are common, and nearly every female will experience them on occasion.
Four categories of female sexual problems include:
- Desire disorders
- Arousal disorders
- Orgasmic disorders
- Sexual pain disorders
Hormone deficiencies such as those that occur during perimenopause and menopause may also cause sexual problems.
What Are Symptoms of Female Sexual Problems?
Symptoms of female sexual problems include:
- Desire disorders
- Less desire for sex than previously
- No desire for sex
- Arousal disorders
- Inability to stay sexually aroused
- No sexual response
- Orgasmic disorders
- Pain during orgasm
- Inability to have an orgasm (anorgasmia)
- Sexual pain disorders
- Pain during or after sex
What Causes Female Sexual Problems?
Causes of female sexual problems depend on the problem and may include:
- Desire disorders
- Hormonal changes
- Certain medical conditions
- Some medications
- Psychoactive medications
- Cardiovascular and antihypertensive medications
- Hormonal preparations
- Histamine H2-receptor blockers and promotility agents
- Indomethacin (Indocin)
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- Phenytoin sodium (Dilantin)
- Depression
- Pregnancy
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Lifestyle factors such as work stress or child care
- Boredom with regular sexual routines
- Arousal disorders
- Insufficient vaginal lubrication
- Inadequate sexual stimulation
- Anxiety
- Problems with blood flow problems to the vagina and clitoris
- Certain medications
- Anticholinergics
- Antihistamines
- Antihypertensives
- Psychoactive medications
- Orgasmic disorders
- Sexual inhibition
- Inexperience
- Lack of knowledge
- Psychological factors such as guilt, anxiety, or past sexual trauma or abuse
- Insufficient stimulation
- Chronic diseases
- Certain drugs or medications
- Methyldopa (Aldomet)
- Amphetamines and related anorexic drugs
- Antipsychotics
- Benzodiazepines
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants
- Narcotics
- Trazodone (Desyrel)
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Sexual pain disorders
- Poor lubrication
- Vaginal dryness
- Endometriosis
- A pelvic mass
- Ovarian cysts
- Vaginitis
- Scar tissue from a past surgery
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Vaginismus (a painful, involuntary spasm of the muscles that surround the vaginal entrance is a condition) may occur in women who fear penetration will be painful, have sexual phobias, or previous traumatic or painful sexual experiences
How Are Female Sexual Problems Diagnosed?
Female sexual problems are diagnosed with a patient history and physical examination which includes a pelvic exam. Patients may also be asked about attitudes toward sex, past sexual trauma or abuse, relationship problems, or alcohol and drug use/abuse to help determine if these factors may be contributing to the dysfunction.
Tests to determine the cause of the sexual dysfunction may include:
- A Pap smear to check for cancer
- Tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Other tests to rule out medical conditions that may cause sexual dysfunction
What Is the Treatment for Female Sexual Problems?
Treatment for female sexual problems varies and depends on the cause. Treatments may include:
- Patient education to help women overcome anxiety about sexual function and performance
- Enhancing sexual stimulation
- Masturbation
- Changing the sexual routine
- Use of erotic videos or books
- Anxiety can be alleviated with distraction
- Erotic or non-erotic fantasies
- Music, videos, or television
- Sensual massage
- May create less pressure and anxiety surrounding sexual activity
- If the problem is due to pain:
- Changing sexual positions
- Vaginal lubricants
- Relaxation before intercourse (warm bath, meditation)
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http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0701/p127.html
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/sexual-dysfunction-women.html