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Female Sexual Dysfunction Doctors, Libido Issues?

Sex for women is more complex.

The reasons that women have sex are varied and not as simple as just the having the urge…..as many know. But sometimes it can be related to an issue in the body. If we can provide solutions to those issues, then sex can again bring joy to your life. If you are having no issues and love sex, this Female Sexual Wellness series will keep you understand your body better as it relates to sex and perhaps boost your sex life to another level!!enhance it to another level.

Reasons women have sex:

• Natural urge
• For the partner
• Obligation
• Improve Self image
• Improve well being
• Women and Quality of Life as RELATED TO SEX;
• Women 42.8%
• Men and Quality of Life as it relates to Sex:
• Men 62.2%

All the benefits of having Sex¹

Men and women are just different. Understanding and communicating with other women help us understand these differences and optimize our sex Life!

The many benefits of having sex

The Vagina is an organ. Use it or lose it. Sex makes sex better.

Sex also helps hormone production.

Levels of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD)

• Desire
  • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)–low desire disorder.
• Arousal
  • Females Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD) – Low arousal.
• Orgasm
  • Female Orgasmic Disorder (FOD) – Weak/Weakened/Absent Orgasms
• Pain
  • Sexual Pain Disorders
    • Dyspareunia
    • Vaginismus

The Causes of Female Sexual Dysfunction:

• Hormonal/endocrine
• Neurogenic changes
  • Changes in NT neurotransmitters
  • Structural brain changes
• Psychogenic
• Vasculogenic
• Surgical
• Medications
• Genetics

**It is up to your doctor or evaluate you and determine underlying causes of what you are experiencing.

Many primary care physicians / Ob Gyn physicians do not ask and so the patient does not tell. This is not because doctors do not want to help, rather it is an area that we do not learn much about in traditional medicine. The patient may get one or two questions in but there is not a deep dive into what might be bothering you. We do not ask if we do not have solutions. Traditional medicine is lacking education on sexual dysfunction and solutions.

With almost 50% of women experiencing a problem with sex, physicians need to take a more active role in helping with solutions.

Menopause and Sexuality

Studies show that the % of sexual dysfunction goes up with menopause from 44% to 88%. This is in all areas:

• Drive
• Arousal
• Orgamsic strength
• Satisfaction with their own sexual function
• Satisfaction with their partners decline in sexual function

This part one on Women and Sex is an overview of habits that help and possible root causes of sexual dysfuntion.

Habits

• Sleep
  • Get adequate sleep
• Stress
  • Stress management
• Nutrition
  • Healthy nutrition
• Senses
  • Tune into your senses and body awareness
  • Improves sexuality
• Attitude
  • Self confidence
• Exercise
  • On a regular basis

All of these affect hormone and neurotransmitter production.

The pro-libido lifestyle is addressing these habits for better sexual Function.

Psychological

• Depression / Anxiety
• Past abuse
• Upbringing / shame surrounding sex
• Overweight
• Poor body image

Relationships

98% of sex for women happens in the brain.

Emotional Intimacy motivates women. Not present then they are out.

#1 problem in the relationship is resentment.

A study of 1000 women 20-65. The strongest predictor of sexual response:

• Emotional relationship with partner
• Their own emotional well being

Boredom is an issue

Hormones

• Testosterone
• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• Cortisol-stress hormone
• Oxytocin
• Thyroid
• Prolactin
• DHEA
• Pregnenolone

Just to show so many NT and Hormones involved in sexuality.

There is a web of hormonal balancing. Find a provider that will thoroughly evaluate these hormones and is a specialist in Bio-identical Hormone replacement Therapy (HRT).

They all play a role. Testosterone is a hormone of large production in women. We have low-T centers for Men but women need testosterone as well. Testosterone declines sharply between the ages of 18-34.

Studies show that 25% of women with Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) have low testosterone. That percentage can be as high as 75% in Post menopausal women.

Medications can effect Sexual function in women.

• Blood pressure
• Anti-depressants
• Anti-anxiety
• Birth control
• Cholesterol lowering drugs
• Pain meds
• Sleep meds
• Hormonal blocking cancer treatments

Disease related to Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD)

• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Neurological Disorders

Anatomic Causes

• Anatomic anomalies
• Lichen Sclerosis
• Lichen Planus
• Vaginismus or muscular contration
• Vaginal atrophy
• Vaginal dryness
• Vaginal laxity
• After child birth
• Urinary leakage

There are so many local regenerative non surgical vaginal rejuvenation procedures that can help with many of these anatomic causes. Vaginal rejuvenation can involve non ablative laser treatments. Oshot is extremetly helpful for vaginal rejuvenation and this is an great stand alone service that can be done if hormones are not an option due to history of breast cancer.

It is important we talk about sex. At RevitalyzeMD, we want to provide a warm, relaxed and conducive environment to open conversations you may not be having in the home, with friends and with your medical provider. Women and sex can be complex. There are lots of hormones in play and these must be adequately checked, optimized and balanced. Both physiological and psychological causes need to be explored. There are also many regenerative vaginal rejuvenation procedures that can be done to locally improve vaginal health and sexual enjoyment. Look for more in the series as we dive deeper into Women and Sex. Please look for our RMD Aesthetic and Wellness podcast on all channels and links on the website. Look for our videos on the RevitalyzeMD youtube channel. To start your journey to better sex and find out what treatments might be right for you:

Call / text RevitalyzeMD at (865) 293-5828 to schedule your consultation.

^{1 Flynn, et al. JSM. 2016. Sept 23.2Bancroft.}

^{2 LoftusJ,LongJS.Distress about sex: an national survey of women in heterosexual relationships. Arch. Sex Behav. 2003 June 32 (3): 193-208.}