Reviewed by Connie Casebolt, MD, MPH of Forum Health Greenville
Discover the symptoms and underlying causes of why you don’t want to have sex or aren’t enjoying it.
If you’ve been struggling with your sex life lately, you’re not alone. The NIH reports that female sexual dysfunction is a highly common issue affecting 43% of U.S. female adults every year.
And with it can come feelings of shame or embarrassment as a healthy sexual life is tied to your sense of vitality, empowerment, and fulfillment. But we’re here to let you know, it doesn’t have to be that way!
It’s time to better understand your sexual health dysfunction, the possible causes and effective, root-cause solutions to help you strengthen your intimate connections and honor your right to pleasure and satisfaction.
Understanding Women's Sexual Dysfunction
Women’s sexual health is about more than just pleasure – it intersects with overall well-being, self-esteem, confidence, emotional health, and intimate relationships.
And to understand sexual dysfunction, it’s important to first examine the common symptoms you may be encountering.
- Low libido: A decreased interest or desire for sexual activity, leading to a lack of motivation to initiate or engage in sexual relations.
- Pain during intercourse (Dyspareunia): Persistent or recurrent genital pain before, during, or after sexual intercourse, which can significantly affect your ability to enjoy sexual activity.
- Difficulty achieving orgasm (Anorgasmia): Inability to reach orgasm despite adequate sexual arousal and stimulation, which may result in frustration or dissatisfaction with sexual experiences.
- Vaginal dryness or atrophy: Insufficient lubrication of the vaginal tissues, often leading to discomfort or pain during intercourse and decreased sexual pleasure.
- Sexual arousal disorders: Difficulty becoming sexually aroused or maintaining arousal during sexual activity, which can result in reduced sexual satisfaction and intimacy.
- Genital or pelvic pain disorders: Chronic or recurrent pain in the genital or pelvic region, unrelated to sexual intercourse, which can impact sexual desire and enjoyment.
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, know that you are not alone and there are effective interventions to help you recover from sexual dysfunction. Learn more about women’s sexual health solutions with Forum Health by scheduling a 15-minute discovery call.
Sex Life Off Course? Here’s What May Be Happening
Often when sex isn’t the same as it used to be, you blame yourself. But in reality, sexual dysfunction can arise from a variety of underlying factors you might not even be aware of.
Here are some possible reasons for why your sex life gets off course:
- Menopause and hormonal imbalances: Fluctuations or deficiencies in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels can affect libido, vaginal lubrication, and overall sexual function. This imbalance may occur during menopause, perimenopause, or because of conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or thyroid disorders.
- Pelvic floor dysfunction: Weakness or dysfunction in the pelvic floor muscles can lead to pain during intercourse, urinary incontinence, and decreased sexual satisfaction. Childbirth, aging, and certain medical conditions can contribute to pelvic floor issues.
- Medications: Many antidepressant medications, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can have side effects that affect sexual function. Additionally, hormonal contraceptives and high blood pressure medications can also inhibit sexual function.
- Chronic health conditions: Medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, thyroid disorders, and chronic pain conditions can affect sexual health in women. These conditions may impact hormone levels, nerve function, blood flow, and overall physical well-being, all of which can contribute to sexual dysfunction. Managing the underlying medical condition and addressing any associated symptoms may help improve sexual function.
- Psychological factors: Stress, anxiety, depression, past trauma, and relationship problems can all impact a woman’s sexual health and functioning. Addressing these psychological factors is crucial for comprehensive treatment.
- Lifestyle factors: Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, substance abuse, poor diet, inadequate sleep, and lack of exercise can negatively affect sexual function. These factors may impair circulation, hormone balance, and overall physical health, contributing to sexual dysfunction.
Seeking guidance from a functional or integrative medicine provider is essential to understanding the root cause of your sexual dysfunction so it can be corrected and rebalanced.
Solutions to Ignite Your Sex Life from Functional Medicine Experts
Functional and integrative medicine offers a wide range of innovative treatments aimed at improving your sexual health.
At Forum Health, we first start with a comprehensive assessment that may include a detailed medical history, advanced hormone testing and evaluating nutritional deficiencies, lifestyle factors, chronic health conditions, pelvic floor dysfunction, trauma history, and relationship issues.
Once the root causes of your sexual dysfunction are identified, we’ll work to tailor a plan to your unique needs that may include:
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
BHRT uses hormones that are chemically identical to those naturally produced by the body. Unlike traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which often uses synthetic hormones, BHRT aims to restore hormonal balance naturally. For women experiencing symptoms related to hormonal imbalances, such as menopausal symptoms or low libido, BHRT can help alleviate symptoms and improve sexual function.
Vaginal rejuvenation shots inject platelets derived from your blood into the vaginal tissues. Platelets contains growth factors that stimulate tissue regeneration and improve blood flow to the area. This treatment can help enhance vaginal lubrication, sensitivity, and orgasmic response, making it an effective option for women experiencing vaginal dryness or decreased sexual satisfaction.
FemiWave utilizes low-intensity shockwave technology to stimulate blood flow and promote tissue regeneration in the vaginal and clitoral areas. By improving blood circulation and enhancing tissue elasticity, this therapy can improve sexual function, arousal, and orgasmic response. It’s a non-invasive and painless treatment option for women seeking to enhance their sexual health and pleasure.
Start Prioritizing Your Pleasure Today
Your sexual health is a vital component of your overall well-being, and addressing sexual health concerns requires a comprehensive and holistic approach. The functional and integrative medicine experts at Forum Health are here to help you improve your sexual vitality, alleviate symptoms, and enhance your overall quality of life.
Take control of your sex life and schedule a 15-minute discovery call today.
