Female Orgasmic Disorder, also known as Anorgasmia, is a condition where a woman has persistent difficulty in achieving orgasm after sufficient sexual arousal and stimulation, which causes personal distress. This condition can occur in various situations or it may be universal, affecting all forms of sexual activity.
- Primary Female Orgasmic disorder: Women who have never been able to have an orgasm.
- Secondary Female Orgasmic disorder: Women who were previously able to have an orgasm but are now no longer able to do so.
Symptoms of Female Orgasmic Disorder:
- Delayed, Infrequent or Absent Orgasms: The most common symptom is difficulty in reaching orgasm or a significant delay in orgasm during sexual activity.
- Reduced Intensity of Orgasms: Orgasms may be less intense, or not satisfying.
- Emotional Symptoms: This may include feelings of frustration, distress, or guilt about not being able to achieve orgasm.
- Persistent Difficulty: These difficulties are persistent and occur over a period of time.
Causes of Female Orgasmic Disorder:
- Physical Causes:
- Medical conditions such as diabetes, hormonal imbalances, or neurological disorders.
- Side effects of certain medications, especially those affecting libido and sexual function (like antidepressants).
- Gynecological issues, such as vaginal dryness or pain during intercourse.
- Psychological Causes:
- Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or stress.
- Negative feelings about sex, possibly stemming from past trauma or negative experiences.
- Relationship problems that affect intimacy and sexual satisfaction.
- Lifestyle and Other Factors:
- Lack of knowledge or experience regarding sexual stimulation and responses.
- Cultural or religious beliefs that view sex negatively.
- Substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs.
Treatment often involves a combination of therapy, education, and sometimes medication. It’s important to consult healthcare professionals for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Diagnosis of Female Orgasmic disorder
Your doctor may: in order to detect female sexual dysfunction
Sexual and Medical history: Talk about your medical and sexual past. Although discussing such private topics with your doctor may make you uncomfortable, your sexuality is an important aspect of your health. Your chances of locating a successful treatment for your current issues are higher the more honest you are about your past sexual experiences.
Pelvic Exam: Do a pelvic examination. Your doctor examines you to look for physical changes (such as thinning genital tissues, decreased skin elasticity, scars, or pain) that could interfere with your enjoyment of sexual activity.
Blood tests: Blood tests may be suggested by your doctor to screen for underlying medical issues that could be a factor in sexual dysfunction.
Your physician might also suggest that you see a therapist or counselor who focuses on issues related to relationships and sexuality.
Female Orgasmic Disorder Treatment
Remember that sexual dysfunction is only an issue if it causes you distress. You don’t need to get treated if it bothers you.
Treatment options differ due to the wide range of potential symptoms and causes of female sexual dysfunction. It’s critical that you express your worries and that you comprehend your body’s typical sexual response. Your sexual aspirations also play a significant role in the treatment you select and the degree to which it meets your needs.
A comprehensive treatment approach that addresses physical as well as relationship and emotional factors is typically beneficial for women with sexual disorders.
Non-Medical treatment for female sexual dysfunction
In order to address sexual dysfunction, your physician may advise you to begin using these techniques:
Communicate: There is a significant impact on your sexual happiness when you and your spouse have open communication. Greater closeness can be achieved even if you’re not used to discussing your likes and dislikes. You can achieve this by learning to do so and offering constructive criticism in a non-threatening manner.
Healthy Lifestyle: Limit your alcohol intake because too much of it can impair your libido. Engage in frequent physical activity to improve your mood and stamina, which will heighten your romantic sentiments. Discover techniques to reduce your stress levels so you can concentrate on and relish your sex.
Consultancy: Consult a therapist or counselor who focuses on helping people with interpersonal and sexual issues. Education regarding optimizing your body’s sexual response, improving closeness with your spouse, and suggesting books or activities for couples to do together are all common components of therapy.
Lubrication: If you experience vaginal dryness or soreness during sex, using a vaginal lubricant may be beneficial.
Gadgets: The clitoris can be stimulated to increase arousal. For clitoral stimulation, use a vibrator.
Medical treatment for female sexual dysfunction
In order to effectively treat sexual dysfunction, an underlying medical problem or hormonal shift must frequently be addressed. Your doctor might advise you to switch medications or write a prescription for a different one.
Treatment options for female sexual dysfunction could involve the following:
Estrogen Therapy
A vaginal ring, cream, or tablet are the forms of localized estrogen therapy. Through increased vaginal blood flow, improved lubrication, and improved vaginal tone and flexibility, this therapy improves sexual function.
Age, the risk of other health conditions like cancer, heart disease, and blood vessel disease, the type and dosage of the hormone, and whether estrogen is administered alone or in combination with a progestin are all factors that may affect the risks associated with hormone therapy.
See your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages. Hormonal therapy may occasionally need close medical supervision.
Osphena (Ospemifene)
This drug selectively modulates the estrogen receptor. It helps women with vulvovaginal atrophy feel less pain during sexual activity.
Androgen Treatment
Testosterone is one type of androgen. Both men and women need testosterone for optimum sexual function, but women’s testosterone levels are significantly lower.
The use of androgen treatment to treat sexual dysfunction is debatable. When women experience sexual dysfunction due to low testosterone levels, some studies suggest that this can help; other studies find little to no benefit.
Flibanserin
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved flibanserin, which was first created as an antidepressant, as a treatment for premenopausal women’s poor sexual desire.
Addyi is a daily tablet that may increase sex drive in women who find it stressful to have low sexual desire. Low blood pressure, drowsiness, nausea, exhaustion, dizziness, and fainting are among the potentially dangerous adverse effects, especially if the medication is used with alcohol. If, eight weeks in, your sex drive hasn’t improved, experts advise you to stop using the medication.
Bremelanotide
Another FDA-approved medication for premenopausal women with reduced sexual desire is bremelanotide. This medicine is administered as a self-injection just under the skin in the thigh or abdomen prior to planned sexual activity.
Some women report feeling queasy; this is more common following the first injection and usually goes away after the second. Additional adverse reactions include headaches, flushing, vomiting, and skin reactions at the injection site.
Learn more about: Sexual Dysfunctions