What is Female Sexual Dysfunction?

• Why do I have less sexual desire than before?
• Is it normal to experience vaginal burning during intercourse?
• It hurts during sexual relations, is this normal?
• How can I have sex when I have had irregular bleeding for months?
• My partner doesn't seem interested in sex, is it my fault?
• I can't achieve an orgasm like before, what is wrong with me?
• My partner has trouble with erections and I am frustrated. Is this normal?

You may have FSD if you have experienced any of the following:

• Physical problems that interfere with your sexual functioning
• Decreased sensation or feeling in your genitals, clitoris or vagina during sexual stimulation
• Decreased vaginal lubrication during sexual stimulation
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Difficulty achieving orgasm during sexual stimulation or intercourse
• Decreased sexual desire
• Decreased overall sexual satisfaction

What Causes FSD?
Any woman can experience FSD at some point in her life. The majority of these women are perimenopausal and postmenopausal and the symptoms of FSD are due to hormonal changes associated with menopause. But, premenopausal women can also experience FSD. Diminished or rapidly changing hormone levels during the menopause transition can lead to changes in the genitourinary system (vagina, bladder, clitoris, etc). These changes result in decreased blood flow to the genitals and can cause genital thinning that can lead to pain and burning during intercourse. This thinning is called urogenital atrophy (UGA). Up to 40% of post-menopausal patients experience UGA. Also, these hormonal changes may lead to an altered sexual response. This includes diminished libido and difficulty achieving orgasm. Women with diabetes, spinal cord injuries, certain cardiovascular problems, hypertension, high cholesterol, pre-existing heart disease are more likely to experience symptoms of FSD. Numerous medications can cause or contribute to FSD, including blood pressure medications and anti-depressant medications. Women are encouraged to consult their physician or pharmacist about their medications and potential sexual side effects.

What are the Treatments for FSD?
If you are experiencing symptoms of FSD, there is help. A variety of treatments and solutions are available to you. A compassionate and skilled practitioner can help with the diagnosis and treatment of FSD. This physician can begin to explore the causes of FSD, discuss treatment options and initiate counseling, when appropriate. A careful review of medications (including herbal and over the counter medications) is important. Often, altering medication regimens can alleviate many FSD symptoms.

Certain exercises are helpful to relax the pelvic organs and allow sexual relations without discomfort. Kegel exercises are commonly used for bladder control and in the post-partum period. They allow a focussed approach on the pelvic organs, thereby strengthening the musculature and allowing patient controlled contraction/relaxation during sexual relations. Patients have reported improvement in pain with intercourse and heightened orgasm after intensive Kegel exercises. Click here for more information about Kegel exercises.

Hormonal medications can be helpful for patients with FSD. This is especially true during perimenopause and menopause. If vaginal dryness and thinning has occurred because of diminished hormone levels, then supplementation is very helpful. Local treatment with an estrogen product is extremely helpful in treating UGA. There are a number of creams, tablets and rings that contain estrogen and can be applied directly to the genital areas. Since significant absorption of these products does not occur, concerns of estrogen exposure can be minimized.

Many clinicians advocate utilizing testosterone for women with diminished libido (sexual desire). Testosterone is one androgen hormone found in high levels in men. It, however, is produced in small quantities in women by the ovary. Overall, there are four primary androgens produced by women, including testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA, and DHEA-sulfate. The menopause may be associated with a 50% decrease in androgen production. Research has shown that lower testosterone levels in some menopausal women may lower sex drive. By supplementing testosterone, many women notice improvement in their libido. Physicians often recommend a combination of estrogen and testosterone in women experiencing diminished libido after menopause. Estratest is a prescription product combining both estrogen and testosterone.

Herbal remedies may be effective in the treatment of FSD. All herbal products should come from reputable sources and be fully disclosed to your health care provider. This will allow detection of any potential interactions with prescription medications. Herbal supplements that are advocated by many women for FSD include: Black cohosh, Chaste tree berry extract, Ginseng, and Red clover. Consult a health care professional experienced in the use of herbal remedies for an appropriate treatment plan. You may need to use herbal remedies for a period of 4-6 weeks before seeing results. Unfortunately, none of these treatments have been conclusively studied and proven effective for the treatment of FSD.

Extremely popular treatment options that are available without a prescription include Awakening Woman ‘Satisfaction’ Cream, Vibrel Vaginal Moisturizer and Personal Lubricant for Women , and Alura. Both have helped many women with arousal and libido difficulties.

Awakening Woman ‘Satisfaction’ Cream™ is a non-prescription topical cream made just for you to achieve your greatest pleasure and sexual sensitivity. Awakening Woman Awakening Woman ‘Satisfaction’ Cream™ is a specially compounded natural preparation manufactured for women. Awakening Woman ‘Satisfaction’ Cream™ includes the active ingredients Menthol, Niacin, L-Arginine, (an amino acid found in dietary products), Methyl Nicotinate, and hormone balancing progesterone cream, as well as other natural ingredients. The Awakening Woman ‘Satisfaction’ Cream formulation includes twice the amount of L-Arginine found in other leading sexual enhancement creams in order to further improve your results! Methyl Nicotinate, a vasodilator, dilates the blood vessels for quicker, better absorption and a warming sensation. Awakening Woman ‘Satisfaction’ Cream has been carefully pH-balanced to pH of 4 to ensure that there will be no irritation.

Vibrel Vaginal Moisturizer and Personal Lubricant for Women is a water soluble (Aqueous) gel which has been formulated especially for those women who need extra lubrication in the vaginal area to facilitate sexual intercourse. Lack of natural moisture, which may be the result of menopause, or other factors, may often result in painful intercourse. Vibrel for Women assists women who need additional moisture while also providing a comfortable and warming effect which may enhance the overall intimate experience.

Alura™ is a Patented, safe, clear, viscous compound that contains the essential active ingredients which promote clitoral sensitivity and improves the opportunity for a women to achieve orgasm It was developed as a byproduct of the 1998 Nobel Prize winning Medicine and Physiology award received for the discovery and understanding of the Nitric Oxide Pathway, the basis for penile and clitoral arousal, erection, and sensitivity.. Alura is a topical cream and does not require a prescription. Alura For Women is a specially compounded, all natural preparation, containing the active ingredients Menthol USP and L-arginine USP, an amino acid found in dietary products.