Female Sexuality: Assessing Satisfaction and Addressing Problems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Potter
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Function ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Female Sexuality ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Sexual Disorders ◽  
Normal Female ◽  
Sexual Pain ◽  
Female Sexual Response

Sexuality is important to women of all ages. Although changes in sexual function occur with aging, hormonal transitions, illness, the use of medications, and disability, many women can maintain a satisfying sex life by making appropriate adaptations. Clinicians who take the time to obtain a complete and careful sexual history and perform a pertinent physical examination can help the majority of women who present with sexual complaints. Effective treatment must address the contribution of psychological, relationship, and biologic factors and often requires the collaboration of physicians and psychotherapists, as well as sex and physical therapists in many circumstances. Simply initiating a discussion about sexual concerns is frequently the most valuable aspect of treatment for women and their partners. Also useful are provision of basic education about normal female genital anatomy and sexual function across the lifespan; permission to explore masturbation, erotica, and versatile sexual techniques, as well as nongenital pleasuring; information about lubricants; and the prescription of estrogen in the setting of vulvovaginal atrophy. There are as yet no approved agents to treat the biologic component of hypoactive sexual desire. However, it may be appropriate to consider using androgen supplementation in patients with surgical menopause, as well as the addition of bupropion in patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This review discusses the epidemiology of female sexual disorders, the female sexual response and sexual behavior, and the diagnosis and management of specific sexual disorders, including desire, arousal, orgasm, and sexual-pain problems.  This review contains 4 figures, 41 tables, and 96 references. Keywords: Sexual dysfunction disorder, arousal, orgasm, desire, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, vestibulitis, vaginismus

Female Sexuality: Assessing Satisfaction and Addressing Problems

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Potter
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Function ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Female Sexuality ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Sexual Disorders ◽  
Normal Female ◽  
Sexual Pain ◽  
Female Sexual Response

Sexuality is important to women of all ages. Although changes in sexual function occur with aging, hormonal transitions, illness, the use of medications, and disability, many women can maintain a satisfying sex life by making appropriate adaptations. Clinicians who take the time to obtain a complete and careful sexual history and perform a pertinent physical examination can help the majority of women who present with sexual complaints. Effective treatment must address the contribution of psychological, relationship, and biologic factors and often requires the collaboration of physicians and psychotherapists, as well as sex and physical therapists in many circumstances. Simply initiating a discussion about sexual concerns is frequently the most valuable aspect of treatment for women and their partners. Also useful are provision of basic education about normal female genital anatomy and sexual function across the lifespan; permission to explore masturbation, erotica, and versatile sexual techniques, as well as nongenital pleasuring; information about lubricants; and the prescription of estrogen in the setting of vulvovaginal atrophy. There are as yet no approved agents to treat the biologic component of hypoactive sexual desire. However, it may be appropriate to consider using androgen supplementation in patients with surgical menopause, as well as the addition of bupropion in patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This review discusses the epidemiology of female sexual disorders, the female sexual response and sexual behavior, and the diagnosis and management of specific sexual disorders, including desire, arousal, orgasm, and sexual-pain problems.  This review contains 4 figures, 41 tables, and 96 references. Keywords: Sexual dysfunction disorder, arousal, orgasm, desire, dyspareunia, vulvodynia, vestibulitis, vaginismus

scholarly journals The evolution of the female sexual response concept: Treatment implications

2013 ◽  
Vol 141 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 268-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Damjanovic ◽  
Dragana Duisin ◽  
Jasmina Barisic
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Sexual Experience ◽  
Sexual Response ◽  
Sexual Disorders ◽  
Critical Question ◽  
Circular Model ◽  
Sexual Distress ◽  
Female Sexual Response ◽  
The Relationship

Sexual dysfunctions have been the most prevalent group of sexual disorders and include a large number of populations of both sexes. The research of sexual behavior and treatment of women with sexual distress arises many questions related to differences in sexual response of men and women. The conceptualization of this response in modern sexology has changed over time. The objective of our paper was to present the changes and evolution of the female?s sexual response concept in a summarized and integrated way, to analyze the expanded and revised definitions of the female sexual response as well as implications and recommendations of new approaches to diagnostics and treatment according to the established changes. The lack of adequate empirical basis of the female sexual response model is a critical question in the literature dealing with this issue. Some articles report that linear models demonstrate more correctly and precisely the sexual response of women with normal sexual functions in relation to women with sexual dysfunction. Modification of this model later resulted in a circular model which more adequately presented the sexual response of women with sexual function disorder than of women with normal sexual function. The nonlinear model of female sexual response constructed by Basson incorporates the value of emotional intimacy, sexual stimulus and satisfaction with the relationship. Female functioning is significantly affected by multiple psychosocial factors such as satisfaction with the relationship, self-image, earlier negative sexual experience, etc. Newly revised, expanded definitions of female sexual dysfunction try to contribute to new knowledge about a highly contextual nature of woman?s sexuality so as to enhance clinical treatment of dysfunctions. The definitions emphasize the evaluation of the context of women?s problematic sexual experiences.

Sexual dysfunction in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis women

2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 561-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vassilios Tzortzis ◽  
Konstantinos Skriapas ◽  
George Hadjigeorgiou ◽  
Iraklis Mitsogiannis ◽  
Konstantinos Aggelakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Female Sexuality ◽  
Neurological Impairment ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Disease Modifying Drugs ◽  
Selective Population ◽  
Clinically Depressed

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate female sexuality in a selective population of newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS) women. Materials and methods In this clinic-based study, 63 newly diagnosed consecutive women affected by definite MS were admitted. Disability and depression were evaluated with the expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and Beck depression inventory, respectively. Sexual function was evaluated with the female sexual function index (FSFI). A group of 61 healthy female volunteers with the same baseline characteristics were used as controls. Postmenopausal women and patients with other major concomitant neurological, endocrinological, vascular, gynecological, psychiatric disorders, use of medicines that can cause female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and disease-modifying drugs were excluded from the study. Results All the evaluated patients were ambulant with no major neurological impairment (mean EDSS score 2.5, range 0—3.5). None of the patients were considered clinically depressed, but some of them were sad or worried. According to the sexual history and FSFI scores, sexual dysfunction was diagnosed in 22 (34.9%) out of the 63 patients and in 13 (21.31%) out of the 61 healthy females ( P > 0.05). Conclusions In the newly diagnosed MS patients, FSD represent an important issue even though disability and other concomitant disorders affecting sexual function were excluded. Multiple Sclerosis 2008; 14: 561—563. http://msj.sagepub.com

How Does Contraceptive Use Affect Women’s Sexuality? A Novel Look at Sexual Acceptability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Caruso ◽  
Gaia Palermo ◽  
Giuseppe Caruso ◽  
Agnese Maria Chiara Rapisarda
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Function ◽  
Female Sexuality ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Hormonal Contraception ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
Contraceptive Counselling ◽  
Sexual Pain ◽  
The Impact

Among the components of a healthy life, sexuality is an essential part, contributing not only to psychophysical well-being, but also to the social well-being of women and, consequently to their quality of life. A poorly investigated standpoint is the acceptability of a contraceptive method, not only in terms of tolerability and metabolic neutrality, but also concerning the impact that it can have on sexual life. In this context, we will provide an overview of the different methods of contraception and their effects on female sexuality from the biological changes, to organic, social, and psychological factors, which can all shape sexuality.A MEDLINE/PUBMED review of the literature between 2010 and 2021 was conducted using the following key words/phrases: hormonal contraception, contraceptives, female sexual function, libido, sexual arousal and desire, and sexual pain. Recent studies have supported the effects of contraceptives on women’s sexuality, describing a variety of positive and negative events on several domains of the sexual function (desire, arous-al, orgasm, pain, enjoyment). However, satisfaction with sexual activity depends on factors that extend beyond sexual functioning alone. A more holistic approach is needed to better under-stand the multitude of factors linked to women’s sexuality and contraception. Contraceptive counselling must necessarily consider these important elements since they are closely related to good compliance.

The Effects of Herbal Medicines on Women Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahereh Molkara ◽  
Maliheh Motavasselian ◽  
Farideh Akhlaghi ◽  
Mohammad Arash Ramezani ◽  
Hamideh Naghedi Baghdar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Herbal Medicine ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health ◽  
Female Sexual Response

: Sexual health plays an important role in the women’s health and quality of life. Sexual health management is a prerequisite for physical and psychological health of women. Sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm are three factors of female sexual response. So far many different methods has been known for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction, however none of them are not an efficacious therapy. Generally, use of herbal medicine is a safe and effective therapeutic method in the treatment of women with sexual dysfunction. The role of herbal and nutritional supplementation in female sexual function has attracted researchers’ interest in recent years. This study aimed to the evaluation of the studies focusing on the herbal medicine on women sexual function and the assessment of its effectiveness.

Effect of attitudes towards patients on sexual history taking: a survey of Iranian–American physicians in California, USA

Sexual Health ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitra Rashidian ◽  
Victor Minichiello ◽  
Synnove F. Knutsen ◽  
Mark Ghamsary
Keyword(s):  
Female Sexuality ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
History Taking ◽  
Cultural Attitudes ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Sexual Health Care ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Sexual History Taking ◽  
Iranian American

Background: Although obtaining sexual history from patients is essential, the attitudes of physicians can become a barrier to sexual health care. Iranian–American physicians may face particular challenges because talking about sexuality is considered a taboo within their culture. Our study examined these physicians’ attitudes when taking a sexual history from their patients. Methods: In 2013, a self-administrated questionnaire was sent to 1550 Iranian–American physicians in California, USA. Using factor analysis, the principal components approach with a Varimax rotation was used on a set of 12-item questions (five-point Likert scales) to detect latent factors that explain attitudes affecting sexual history taking. Scores are generated to determine physicians’ attitudes towards sexual history taking. Results: In total, 354 questionnaires were returned (23% response rate). Three factors were identified as internally consistent (Cronbach’s α = 0.84 – 0.94): (1) attitude towards various patients; (2) female sexuality; and (3) age and marriage. Significant association were found between these three factors and some variables such as physicians’ gender, country of medical graduation, religion, birthplace and age. Conclusions: Results revealed that cultural attitudes are important factors affecting physicians’ involvement in sexual history taking. Additional studies from this population and other subpopulations of US physicians are needed. New strategies that reflect on physicians’ attitude on sexual healthcare delivery is needed. If confirmed in other studies, our findings could have implications for the training of medical graduates globally.

4. UNDERSTANDING VENUS: EXPLORING FEMALE DESIRE

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 285
Author(s):  
P. Weerakoon
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Desire ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Female Sexuality ◽  
Functional Brain Imaging ◽  
Sexual Response ◽  
Female Desire ◽  
The Road ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Female Sexual Response

The female sexual response is highly variable and multifaceted and is a result of interplay of physiological, psychological and interpersonal factors. The advent of technology and non-invasive functional brain imaging has provided a map of the regions of the brain involved in sexual arousal and the neurochemistry that underlies the process. However, this increase in the understanding of the biological basis of female sexuality has only reinforced the role of interpersonal and cultural factor in the sexual response, specially the genesis of sexual desire. An acceptance of this by professionals, has led to the consensus for a more holistic biopsychosocial approach for the management of female sexual concerns. The presentation will discuss the current research on the neural and hormonal basis for female desire and explore the role of sexual desire as a motivator and a force for sexual activity in the context of the prevailing models of the female sexual response. There is a need for the recognition of the place and value of sexual desire in the female sexual response and an appreciation that whereas there is a biological 'drive', this is tempered by the motivational aspect (individual and relationship psychology) and the cultural and moral overlay of values and attitudes. This will in turn provide the milieu for understanding normal and dysfunctional sexual desire and assist us on the road to discovering a best practice model for the diagnosis and management of 'female desire disorders'.

scholarly journals Insufficient Assessment of Sexual Dysfunction: A Problem in Gynecological Practice

Medicina ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 49 (7) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ieva Briedite ◽  
Gunta Ancane ◽  
Andrejs Ancans ◽  
Renars Erts
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
Sexual Disorders ◽  
Oncologic Patients ◽  
Sexual History Taking ◽  
Gynecological Care ◽  
Main Barrier

Background and Objective. Sexual health is an important part of a woman’s life and well-being. Female sexual dysfunction is a complicated problem, it is often underestimated in the healthcare process, and its management is complex. Giving women the opportunity to talk about sexual problems is a fundamental part of healthcare and may improve their quality of life. The aim of this study was to find out patients’ experience and attitudes toward the involvement of gynecologists addressing sexual issues, to disclose the main barriers to initiate a conversation, and to assess the prevalence of sexual disorders among patients in a gynecological clinic. Material and Methods. A questionnaire-based approach was used to survey 18- to 50-year-old voluntary patients in the gynecological clinic. The study population comprised 300 different gynecological (except oncologic) patients independently of reasons for being in the clinic. The duration of the study was 6 months. Results. Only one-third of the patients had ever been asked about their sexual life by a gynecologist, whilst the majority (80%) of the respondents reported they would like to be asked and discuss sexual issues. The patients mostly did not complain because of psychoemotional barriers, and shame was the main barrier for patients to talk about their problems. Sexual dysfunction was a frequent disorder among gynecological patients, reaching especially high levels in the arousal (46.41%) and lubrication (40.67%) domains. Conclusions. The assessment of sexual health is insufficient in gynecological care, and sexual history-taking and evaluation of sexual functions should be included in routine gynecological health assessments.

Disorders in the sexual standard from hipertensive patients attended at cardiology clinic

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 94
Author(s):  
Sonia Maria da Silva Garcia ◽  
Marli Teresinha Gimeniz Galvão ◽  
Ednaldo Cavalcante de Araújo ◽  
Ana Márcia Tenório de Souza Cavalcanti
Keyword(s):  
Basic Education ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
Sexual Disorders ◽  
Female Orgasm ◽  
Development Education ◽  
Arousal Disorder ◽  
Cardiology Clinic ◽  
Sexual Arousal Disorder ◽  
Per Capita

ABSTRACTTo identify sexual disorders from hipertensive patients attended at Clinic Cardiology from a University Hospital at Recife, Pernambuco (PE) - Brasil, was the objective of this descriptive exploratory study, from quantitative boarding. The probabilist sampling was constituted from 114 adults, who had answered a questionnaire, from May to July 2004, whose data had been analyzed descriptive, presented in numerical values in tables. As findings, the age varied from 24 to 65 years; 80,7% were married; 64,9% had informed to possess basic education; the per capita income varied from R$ 37,14 to R$ 1.300.00; bigger ratio informed the diagnosis time from 6 to 10 years; 55,7% had informed to present disorders in theirs sexual life proceeding from the diagnosis of blood hypertension: desire inhibition 25,4%; erectile dysfunction or inhibited male arousal 9,6%; sexual arousal disorder 16,6%; inhibited female orgasm 4,4%; ejaculatory incompetence 1,8%; dyspareunia 2,6%; sexual phobia 1,8%; multiple sexual phobia 8,9%. This research brings unknown aspects next to the hipertensive patients, allowing that it has a bigger deepening and development of other research focused on theirs sexuality, favoring the development education technician, the research and the assistance. Descriptors: hypertension; adult; coitus; sexuality.RESUMOIdentificar alterações sexuais em hipertensos atendidos em Ambulatório de Cardiologia de um Hospital Universitário em Recife, Pernambuco (PE) - Brasil, foi o objetivo desse estudo descritivo exploratório, de natureza quantitativa. Uma amostra de 114 adultos respondeu um questionário, entre maio a julho de 2004, cujos dados foram dispostos em tabelas e analisados descritivamente. Quanto aos resultados, a idade variou de 24 a 65 anos; 80,7% eram de casados; 64,9% informaram possuir o ensino fundamental; a renda per capita variou de R$ 37,14 a R$ 1.300,00; maior proporção informou o tempo de diagnóstico entre seis a 10 anos; 55,7% informaram apresentar alterações na sua vida sexual proveniente do diagnóstico de hipertensão arterial: inibição do desejo 25,4%; disfunção erétil ou inibição da excitação 9,6%; inibição da excitação 16,6%; inibição do orgasmo 4,4%; ejaculação precoce 1,8%; dispareunia 2,6%; fobia sexual 1,8%; fobia sexual múltipla 8,9%. Esta pesquisa traz aspectos inéditos junto aos hipertensos, permitindo que haja um maior aprofundamento e desenvolvimento de outras pesquisas enfocando sua sexualidade, favorecendo o desenvolvimento técnico do ensino, da pesquisa e da assistência. Descritores: hipertensão; adulto; coito; sexualidade.RESUMENIdentificar los transtornos sexuales en pacientes hipertensos atendidos en la Clínica de Cardiología de un Hospital Universitario en Recife, Pernambuco (PE) - Brasil, fue el objetivo de este estudio descriptivo exploratorio, de abordaje cuantitativo. La muestra probabilística se constituyó por 114 adultos, que contestaron un cuestionario, a partir de mayo a julio del 2004. Los datos fueron analizados y presentados en tablas. Entre los resultados encontrados: la edad varía de 24 a 65 años; 80,7% casados; 64,9% con educación básica; el ingreso per cápita varía de R $ 37,14 a R$ 1.300.00; con diagnóstico entre 6 a 10 años; 55,7% presentan trastornos en su vida sexual procedentes del diagnóstico de la hipertensión arterial: inhibición del deseo 25,4%; disfunción eréctil o inhibición de la excitación 9,6%; inhibición de la excitación 16,6%; orgasmo inhibido 4,4%; eyaculación precoz 1,8%; dispareunia 2,6%; fobia sexuales 1,8%; fobia sexuales múltiples 8,9%. Esta investigación aporta aspectos desconocidos de los pacientes hipertensivos, permitiendo que haya una mayor profundización y el desarrollo de otras investigaciones centradas en su sexualidad, favoreciendo el desarrollo técnico de la educación, la investigación y la asistencia. Descriptores: hipertensión; adultos; coito; sexualidad. 

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