Fact Sheets

Female sexual dysfunction

Roughly half the world's population is female so it is worthwhile to understand the factors that will determine good female sexuality and what some of the difficulties are due to.

In general because females only have a small amount of the libido hormone testosterone, sexual interest and behaviour is more influenced by personal wellbeing, relationship dynamics, context of the sexual activity, appropriateness of the sexual behaviour, sexual beliefs and sexual education. Women may be more affected by negative factors such as lack of time, fatigue, anger and resentment and lack of intimacy.

Among younger women lack of sex education and experience, shyness and insecurity about their bodies and lack of assertiveness may be major contributors to difficulties. Later, tiredness, poor relationships and anger become more relevant and then with menopause hormonal factors become significant.

The main female sexual difficulties are:

1 Inhibited sexual desire and desire discrepancy

2 Orgasmic difficulties

3 Dyspareunia

4 Vaginismus and pain disorders

Management of each of these difficulties requires specific strategies based on understanding the individuals sexual, psychological and relationship history. Inhibited sexual desire has to be evaluated understanding the broad range of normal female sexual desire which at one end may be that the female is responsive to a male on a few occasions early in the relationship adequate for impregnation. Nature is not particularly interested in recreational sexual activity. In a desire discrepancy situation both partners may be medically and psychologically normal.

Orgasmic difficulties mainly require behavioural sexual techniques and encouragement to overcome inhibitory behaviours. Dyspareunia needs to be properly medically evaluated and relevant causes treated, before corrective behavioural and psychological therapies are instituted. This is the same for pain disorders. Vaginismus needs a very empathic history and then supportive behavioural sex therapy.

With menopause and age related changes there needs to be a proper medical evaluation of the hormonal and anatomical situation before corrective advice is given. It is unusual for medical difficulties to be present in isolation from psychological and relationship issues.

If you, a friend, or a family member suffer from any sexual problems and
would like to know the best advice or treatment alternatives, please contact 02 93876966 to make an appointment.

Acknowledgement: Dr Margaret Redelman