Sexual Dysfunction: “Not Tonight, I Have a Headache”

Sexual dysfunction can affect woman of any age – pregnant or not. It’s a common problem, but one that offers a number of solutions. If the zing has left your relationship, do something about it. Here’s how to get your groove back!

 

Sexual dysfunction is a problem that can affect women of any age at any time. Women who are between the ages of 35 to 65 however are more likely to suffer from sexual dysfunction. It is at this time of life that women describe a pattern of sexual response that is perceived as a problem by the woman and/or her sexual partner.

The Sexual Response
The human sexual response is complicated. Most women will go through many different physiological changes during sexual arousal. These changes may begin with the initial period of excitement, where the vaginal wall becomes lubricated and the skin becomes flushed. This stage is typically followed by a plateau, where muscle tension is built up and blood congestion occurs in the vagina. This is typically followed by orgasm and resolution, where most women will experience a decline in sexual tension and release

Many Factors can Influence your Sexual Function and Response

Your Environment
Overall Health
Biological and Hormonal Changes
Emotional Well Being
Interpersonal Relationship
Socio-Cultural Influences
Sexuality over the Course of a Lifetime
Most women’s sexuality and sexual response changes and develops over the course of their lifetime. These changes may be the result of personal experiences, interests, cultural attitudes, behaviors and other factors.

The biological and hormonal changes that typically occur during midlife often impact sexuality most abruptly. Understanding these changes may be the first step toward overcoming sexual dysfunction.

One of the hallmarks of midlife is a decline in estrogen, a female hormone produced in the ovaries. As a woman approaches menopause, varying ovarian function often leads to a drop in estrogen levels over time. This can result in a decreased blood flow to the vagina, which may ultimately affect sexual function.

Other changes that result from this decline include vaginal dryness and decreased elasticity of the vaginal wall. The clitoris may also change, becoming less sensitive in some cases and smaller in size.

Most women do not realize that they produce more testosterone, a male hormone responsible for libido or sex drive, than estrogen. Over time the production of testosterone declines in women and may result in contributing to sexual dysfunction.

Men also may experience a decrease in testosterone production over time, which may result in decreased penile sensitivity and diminished blood flow. It is important to recognize this very important fact of aging, so that women realize they are not alone. Such changes in their partner may cause them to withdraw from intimacy, having a profound impact on a woman’s desire and sexual response.

Decreased libido and sexual desire are common among women during the years preceding menopause.

Looking for ways to address sexual dysfunction? Don’t worry. Be happy at Women’s health Care Topics.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases: How Ya Gonna Tell Her?

 

Sexually transmitted diseases or STDs are a group of infections that can be caused by any type of sexual contact. Did you know that it is not necessary to have actual intercourse in order to spread an STD? Anyone that has ANY form of sex is at risk for contracting STDs, and that means you if you are sexually active.

 

 

 

I‘m a Teen. Am I at risk for a sexually transmitted diseases? 

STDs are very common among teenagers. Every year more than 4 million teens are diagnosed with an STD. That equates to about one of every four teenagers! About 25 percent of all STDs occur in teenagers. If you are sexually active, particularly if you engage in unprotected sex, you are at risk for contracting an STD.

The teenagers most at risk for contracting an STD are those:

• That have unprotected sex.

   

• That have sex with more than one partner. 

   

• That have sex with someone that has an STD or has had an STD.

   

What are the consequences? Learn more and be safe.

New Study Confirms the Benefits of Condom Use For Women

Recent evidence suggests women should pay more attention to their intercourse habits including their use of condoms. 

Though evidence in the past suggests the efficacy of condoms at preventing STDs is uncertain, new study suggests women who consistently use condoms are less at risk for contracting human papillomavirus, the leading cause of cervical cancer and genital warts in women. The study suggests that women who engage in intercourse with male partners who always use condoms demonstrated a decreased infection rate than women whose partners only used condoms part of the time.

This study, conducted among students attending the University of Washington suggests that women may reduce their risk of contractive HPV by as much as 50% with regular use of condoms.

While small, the study provides new hope for women who are at risk for HPV transmission. Read more