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.

Medications During the First Tri-mester: Safe or Out!

Do you take any medicines? 

Is your medicine cabinet baby-proofed? Even though baby isn’t here yet, are the medications you take now safe for the baby you’re hoping for?

Make a list of all medications you take on a regular basis. Be sure to include both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Some medications that are harmless before pregnancy can be quite dangerous to developing babies. So, that over the counter nasal spray or prescription acne medication you use? Ask your doctor now whether or not they’re safe to use during pregnancy. If they’re not, eliminate them from your system now, before you conceive.

Talk to your doctor about replacing current medications with one that’s pregnancy safe or, if possible, consider giving up that particular treatment until after baby is born and done nursing. (Always check with the prescribing doctor before stopping ANY prescribed medications.)

To learn more about the different risk categories for medicines look at Women’s Healthcare Topics.

Weeks One and Two of Pregnancy

Everything Feels Better When You First Become Pregnant!

Weeks one and two are an extremely exciting and mystifying time for most women. Most women eagerly start calculating their pregnancy week by week as soon as they decide to conceive.

During pregnancy week 1 and beyond you will experience the joy of creating life, which is a life-changing event for most women! This guide will walk you step by step through each week of pregnancy. You’ll find informative information about the changes occurring in your body and in your baby. We’ll walk you through each of the stages of pregnancy, and help you understand what you should expect as your body changes and your baby grows from week to week.

During pregnancy week 1 and pregnancy week 2, you may not even be certain that you are pregnant yet! Many women experience few if any symptoms at all. Weeks one and two are mostly consumed with the process of ovulation and fertilization. During pregnancy week 1 and 2 your body will produce estrogen and progesterone in varying amounts to prepare the body for ovulation, when the ovaries release an egg. If you are lucky, this egg will be fertilized and will travel up the fallopian tubes to the uterus, where it will reside for the next 40 or so weeks.

To learn more about Weeks One and Two of Your Pregnancy, visit Women’s Health Care Topics.