Are you starting to lose interest in sex? Do you feel that your sex drive isn’t as strong as it used to be, or that sex is more trouble than it’s worth? If so, you may be experiencing what’s referred to as female sexual dysfunction.
Female sexual dysfunction is surprisingly common, affecting about 40% of women at some point in their lives.
Here at Associates in Women’s Health in Cincinnati, our care providers are here to help. We understand how upsetting a decrease in libido can be. Fortunately, treatment can help many women enjoy sex again.
Sexual dysfunction can show up in several ways. They include:
There are many reasons women lose interest in sex. A major cause is menopause and the physical, hormonal, and emotional changes that come with it.
Falling estrogen levels associated with menopause and perimenopause can impact women in many ways, leading to vaginal dryness, weight gain, hot flashes, sleep problems, and moodiness. It’s hard to get excited about sex when you feel tired, heavy, moody, and hot flashy, or when your vagina feels as dry as sandpaper.
Other contributors to sexual dysfunction may include certain drugs and medical conditions.
Treatment for female sexual dysfunction depends on its cause.
Women going through natural or surgical menopause may experience a loss of interest in sex because of symptoms related to a decrease in estrogen, such as vaginal dryness, pain during intercourse, or decreased sex drive.
For some women, replacing their hormone balance can help, either with oral hormone therapy or vaginal estrogen cream.
Lifestyle changes such as exercise, losing weight, getting enough sleep, quitting smoking, and reducing stress may also address some of the physical and emotional challenges of aging and menopause that cause problems in the bedroom.
And if your loss of libido is because of medical conditions or medications, treating those conditions differently or switching prescriptions could help.
If vaginal discomfort because of aging, childbirth, menopause, obesity, or hysterectomy cause discomfort during intercourse, treatment with the FemiLift™ laser vaginal tightening system may help. FemiLift is a tissue resurfacing procedure that can restore vaginal elasticity with a minimally invasive, virtually painless office procedure.
In addition, MonaLisa Touch™ vaginal laser treatments can help women address vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, and other symptoms that can occur because of age, menopause, or childbirth. Treatment with MonaLisa Touch helps generate new collagen production and enhanced moisture levels in the vagina.
At Associates in Women’s Health, our team of empathetic care providers works with you to determine the causes of and best treatments for sexual dysfunction issues. Call our office to schedule a visit, or request an appointment today.
