Sexual Dysfunction

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on what type of sexual dysfunction you’re experiencing:

• Low sexual desire.This most common of female sexual dysfunctions involves a lack of sexual interest and willingness to be sexual.
• Sexual arousal disorder.Your desire for sex might be intact, but you have difficulty with arousal or are unable to become aroused or maintain arousal during sexual activity.
• Orgasmic disorder.You have persistent or recurrent difficulty in achieving orgasm after sufficient sexual arousal and ongoing stimulation.
• Sexual pain disorder.You have pain associated with sexual stimulation or vaginal contact.

Diagnosis

To diagnose female sexual dysfunction, your doctor may:

• Discuss your sexual and medical history.You might be uneasy talking with your doctor about such personal matters, but your sexuality is a key part of your well-being. The more upfront you can be about your sexual history and current problems, the better your chances of finding an effective way to treat them.
• Perform a pelvic exam.During the exam, your doctor checks for physical changes that affect your sexual enjoyment, such as thinning of your genital tissues, decreased skin elasticity, scarring or pain.
• Order blood tests.Your doctor may recommend blood tests to check for underlying health conditions that might contribute to sexual dysfunction.

Your doctor may also refer you to a counselor or therapist specializing in sexual and relationship problems.