Female Sexual Dysfunction
Plano OB Gyn Associates J. Kyle Mathews, MD
Welcome to the Virtual Office for Plano OB Gyn Associates. Founded by J. Kyle Mathews, MD, Plano OB Gyn Associates is dedicated to providing state of the art care for women. Our staff offers timely, compassionate and personalized care. We strive to provide you with answers and options, as quickly as possible, and to assist you in understanding the personal solutions best suited to meeting your individual needs. Through this site you access to the latest medical information on Women’s Health and the ability to establish a personal medical home in order to receive guidance regarding you healthcare concerns.
Female Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual Dysfunction is a common condition affecting 4 out of 10 women in the United States. The loss of sexual desire (Libido), sexual anxiety, poor arousal, lack of orgasm, and intimacy problems may cause significant stress in your relationship. While Female Sexual Dysfunction has many causes and symptoms, they are almost all treatable. Dr. Mathews offers comprehensive diagnosis and treatment in a comfortable private setting.
Glossary of Terms
Anorgasmia Inablility to achieve orgasm
Dyspareunia Pain with intercourse.
Female Hypoactive Sexual Desire (HSDD) Also Known as low female libido. Lack or absence of sexual fantasizes and desire for sexual activity over a period of time.
Female Sex Drive Desire/interest in receiving sexual stimulation.
Female Sexual Dysfunction Persistent or recurrent difficulty with sexual response.
Primary Anorgasmia When a person has never experienced an orgasm.
Secondary Anorgasmia The loss of the ability to have an orgasm.
Vaginismus The inability to comfortably get an object (ex. Penis, finger, tampon) past the opening and into the vagina.
Vulvar Vestibulitis Also known as Vulvodynia, is a condition where the outside of the vagina, the vulvar area, is either irritated or painful.
Anatomy
Anus: The opening at the end of the alimentray canal through which
Solid waste is eliminated.
Clitoris: Female sexual organ found where the Labia Minora meet.
Labia Majora & Minora: Skin folds that encircle the vaginal entrance.
Mons Pubis: Fatty tissue on the front side of the pelvic region.
Perineum: The area between the vaginal entrance and the anus.
Urethral Orifice: Open of the tube from the bladder to the outside.
Symptoms of Female Sexual Dysfunction
Plano OB Gyn Associates J. Kyle Mathews, MD
You can develop female sexual dysfunction at any age, but sexual problems are most common when your hormones are in flux — for example, when you’ve just had a baby or when you’re making the transition into menopause. Sexual concerns may also occur with major illness, such as cancer.
Your problems might be classified as female sexual dysfunction if you experience one or more of the following and you’re distressed about it:
- Your desire to have sex is low or absent.
- You can’t maintain arousal during sexual activity, or you don’t become aroused despite a desire to have sex.
- You cannot experience an orgasm.
- You have pain during sexual contact.
Causes of Female Sexual Dysfunction
Plano OB Gyn Associates J. Kyle Mathews, MD
Several factors may contribute to sexual dissatisfaction or dysfunction. These factors tend to be interrelated.
- Physical. Physical conditions that may cause or contribute to sexual problems include arthritis, urinary or bowel difficulties, pelvic surgery, fatigue, headaches, other pain problems, and neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Certain medications, including some antidepressants, blood pressure medications, antihistamines and chemotherapy drugs, can decrease your sex drive and your body’s ability to achieve orgasm.
- Hormonal. Lower estrogen levels during the menopausal transition may lead to changes in your genital tissues and your sexual responsiveness. The folds of skin that cover your genital region (labia) become thinner, exposing more of the clitoris. This increased exposure sometimes reduces the sensitivity of the clitoris, or may cause an unpleasant tingling or prickling sensation. In addition, the vaginal lining becomes thinner and less elastic, particularly if you’re not sexually active. At the same time, the vagina requires more stimulation to relax and lubricate before intercourse. These factors can lead to painful intercourse (dyspareunia), and achieving orgasm may take longer. Your body’s hormone levels also shift after giving birth and during breast-feeding, which can lead to vaginal dryness and can affect your desire to have sex.
Psychological and social. Untreated anxiety or depression can cause or contribute to sexual dysfunction, as can long-term stress. The worries of pregnancy and demands of being a new mother may have similar effects. Longstanding conflicts with your partner — about sex or any other aspect of your relationship — can diminish your sexual responsiveness as well. Cultural and religious issues and problems with your own body image also may contribute. Emotional distress can be both a cause and a result of sexual dysfunction. Regardless of where the cycle began, you usually need to address relationship issues for treatment to be effective.
Tests and Diagnosis of Female Sexual Dysfunction
Plano OB Gyn Associates J. Kyle Mathews, MD
You might be reluctant to discuss your sexual concerns, but your sexuality is integral to your well-being. The more forthcoming you can be about your sexual history and current problems, the better your chances of finding an effective approach to treating them.
A comprehensive history and physical along with laboratory studies will be performed at your visit. In addition, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), prior to your visit. This form may be filled out on line, or printed, filled out and brought with you to your visit. Click here to be taken to the FSFI form.
Female sexual dysfunction is generally divided into the following four categories, which are not mutually exclusive:
- Low sexual desire. You have diminished libido, or lack of sex drive.
- Sexual arousal disorder. Your desire for sex might be intact, but you have difficulty 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.
Sexual response is a complex interaction of many components, including physiology, emotions, experiences, beliefs, lifestyle and relationships. If any one of these components is disrupted, sexual drive, arousal or satisfaction may be affected.
Treatments of Female Sexual Dysfunction
Effectively treating sexual dysfunction often requires addressing underlying psychological conditions, medical conditions and hormonal change that affecting your sexuality. A multidisciplinary approach is used to achieve effective treatment options.
This site offers you access to the latest medical information on Women’s Health.
FSFI Questionnaire Click Here
Menopause & Sexual Desire Click Here
Sexuality in Pregnancy Click Here
Links – Sexual Dysfunction
The Science of Desire. New Discoveries in HSDD
http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/boehringeringelheim/39236/docs/39236-HSDD_backgrounder.pdf
Web MD
http://women.webmd.com/guide/sexual-dysfunction-women
National Vulvodynia Association. NVA
http://www.nva.org/
ACOG American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/patientpage.cfm
Patient Education Pamphlets
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/