Sexual health is the overall well-being related to one’s sexuality. It is not only the absence of dysfunction or disease, but also the ability to have safe, respectful, and positive sexual attitudes and experiences.
Sexual health problems are common; about 40% of women will have a sexual health concern at some point in their lives. The most common complaints are decreased arousal, difficulty with orgasm, pain with sexual activity, or low sexual desire. Here at Baystate Ob/Gyn Group, Inc., we take your sexual health concerns seriously and have many resources and providers that are specially trained to help you manage your concerns to achieve sexual well-being.
It’s common for women to have problems with sex at some point in their lives.
About 1 out of 2 women will likely have a sexual concern. These problems can happen to women of any age. Some women might find it hard to get aroused, have trouble reaching orgasm, feel pain during sex, have vaginal dryness, or don’t have much interest in sex at all.
There are different ways to help with these problems. Talking to a sex counselor or therapist about sex can be helpful. You can also try pelvic floor therapy, mindfulness (being present), or meditation. Some women use special tools called vaginal dilators. There are also medicines you can take, both over-the-counter and prescription.
Please talk with your medical provider if you have any sexual concerns.
Many women feel less interested in sex at some point.
This happens to about 1 in 3 women. It’s most common right after having a baby, during perimenopause (when you’re getting close to menopause), and after menopause. All that said, women can have low libido at any age.
There are a lot of reasons why a woman might lose interest in sex including:
Often, it’s a mix of these things that affects a woman’s sexual desire.
Hormones can also change how much you want to have sex. This is why it’s common to experience sexual health issues between ages 45 and 64.
There are a few medications that can help with low libido, but many sexual health providers will suggest talking to a counselor or therapist first.
Other things that might help include mindfulness (being present), treating mental health problems, changing your medicines (after discussing with your healthcare provider), sensual touch, and treating pain or dryness during sex.
We want all of our sexually active patients to have positive sexual relationships that are consensual. We welcome and encourage all of our patients to ask questions so that we can support you in planning or preventing pregnancy while also protecting yourself from sexually transmitted illnesses. We also acknowledge that for some patients not all sexual experiences may have been positive or wanted. Our goal is to help address any questions or concerns you have in a manner that is respectful of your past and present sexual experiences.
No, you are not broken. Sexual dysfunction and sexual health concerns are very common in women.
Please be open and honest with your healthcare provider about any sexual health complaint. It is a common occurrence, and your provider can help to address your concerns directly, or help you find the right resources.
It is quite normal to have fluctuations of sexual desire in your lifetime. 1 out of 3 women experience low sexual desire/libido at some point in their lifetime.
Women should be able to have pleasurable sex at any age! The vaginal tissue changes during and after menopause, but there are many treatments, exercises, and other techniques that can be used to continue to enjoy sex at this time of life.
There are a few prescription medications approved for use for low sexual desire for premenopausal women, however they work differently than Viagra does for men. There are many causes of low sexual desire for women and medication may not be the only treatment option. Please talk with your provider about this concern.
Yes, there are many medications that can cause sexual side effects, such as birth control pills and anxiety/depression medications. These medications can decrease a woman’s sexual desire or ability to achieve orgasm. Please discuss these concerns with your provider so that you can work to find a comprehensive plan and solution to the concerns.
Yes, stress and anxiety can contribute to low sexual desire, pain with sex, and trouble with orgasm.
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