Did you know 40% of U.S. women have some kind of sexual problem…. this is a problem! Sexual Desire, or libido, decreases with age in both men and women but as you know, women notice a decrease more than men do. Yet there has always been more attention on improving the sex life of men. Well, times are changing, and more options are arising to help WOMEN improve their sex life!
Let’s start with possible forms of sexual dysfunction in women:
1)Lack of Sexual Desire/Decreased Libido
2)Lack of Sexual Arousal which is the inability to be aroused by sexual stimuli.
3)Dyspareunia which is pain with sex.
4)Anorgasmia which is the inability to achieve an orgasm.
Women are complex beings and our libido can be affected by a multitude of things.
Physical Causes
-Medical Illnesses-Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Heart disease, Arthritis, Thyroid disorder, Neurological disorders, Breast Cancer, or any cancer that impacts your body image.
-Medications-birth control pills, anti-depressants, high blood pressure medicine
-TDT=”Too Damn Tired”: life can be exhausting, and sex becomes last on the priority list
-Pain: pain disorders, pelvic pain, or vaginal pain
-Sleep disturbance which leads to fatigue
-Weight gain which leads to poor body image or self-esteem
-Lifestyle habits-smoking, street drugs, too much alcohol
Psychological Causes
-Anxiety or Depression
-Poor Body Image: if you don’t feel sexy, this can affect your sexual desire
-Low self-esteem
-Stress: if your mind is distracted by life stressors, sex is not a priority
-History of physical or sexual abuse
Hormonal Causes
-Pregnancy
-Postpartum and breastfeeding
-Perimenopause and Menopause
Relationship Causes
-Lack of communication with partner, it’s important to let your partner possible reasons why your libido is not like it used to be.
-Poor communication of sexual needs, these needs could change over time. This may require partner exploration and self-exploration to determine what you both like.
-Conflict
-Trust issues
-Partner has issues like erectile dysfunction
So, after determining the underlying issue then with the help of your Gynecologist and/or Primary Care Physician, you can determine your next step toward a better sex life.
If you have vaginal atrophy which means dryness, you can try:
-Lubricant during sex, water-based or silicone-based
-Vaginal moisturizer: Luvena, Revaree or good ol’ coconut oil in the form of a suppository
-Vaginal Estrogen
-Intrarosa is a suppository that breaks down into estrogen and testosterone at the vaginal cell level
-Osphena is an oral tablet approved to help pain with intercourse
-Mona Lisa Laser therapy: laser treatment that stimulates collagen formation in the vaginal walls
If you have a decreased libido, you can try:
-Addyi is the first little pink pill FDA approved to help women’s libido
-Ristela is a natural oral supplement that can help libido and arousal by stimulating blood flow in the genital region
-Vyleesi is an (FDA approved for premenopausal women) injectable you can inject 45 minutes before you plan to have sex.
-Testosterone cream, although I personally offer this sparingly due to potential side effects.
-DHEA supplement may have limited benefits
Keep in mind that these treatment options are not for EVERYONE and each may have side effects. So, it is important to have the conversation with your physician to determine the best option for you.
Here are other strategies that will definitively move you in the right direction of improving your libido and your overall health:
-LOVE the skin you’re in!
-Practice Self-care: take time to pour into yourself and rejuvenate your spirit
-Restorative sleep: 7-8 hours of sleep at night
-Consistent exercise: 30 minutes for 5 days per week
-Eat whole foods that serve your body well
-Reduce stress levels, having more sex can do this!
-More Foreplay never hurt anybody!
-Schedule Sex….yes, communicate with your partner and put it on the schedule!
“Sexual health is more than freedom from sexual disease or disorders … Sexual health is non-exploitive and respectful of self and others … Sexual health is dependent upon an individual’s well-being and sense of self-esteem. Sexual health requires trust, honesty, and communication.” — Eli Coleman
