Three Female Sexual Problems and What to Do about Them
Although sexual problems are very common, they’re still taboo. In fact, they can affect both men and women. However, in this article, we’ll focus on female sexual problems.
No matter what, the important thing is to discover their causes, face them, and overcome them the right way. Below, we’ll share the three most common female sexual problems and what to do about them.
Common female sexual problems
Many of the most common female sexual problems are related to psychological problems. In this regard, the affected person may be involved in a vicious cycle of negativity, as they may feel guilty for not being able to enjoy intercourse or worry they may “disappoint” their partner.
For this reason, most treatments include sex therapy. Indeed, sexual inability or difficulty can make women feel guilty, meaning their anxiety will increase significantly, thus worsening the problem.
Moreover, their partner’s involvement is also essential. In fact, their attitude towards their partner’s sexual problems is key to addressing them. In this regard, they should never demand or force sexual acts. Instead, they should be understanding and patient. This is why the collaboration and participation of both partners are essential, as it prevents more stress and allows them to learn together, relax, and enjoy sex.
That said, let’s take a look at the three most common issues facing women.
Vaginismus
Vaginismus is characterized by involuntary contractions of the pelvic muscles that surround the vagina. Thus, it closes or is too narrow, causing pain during intercourse or an inability to have it entirely. When there’s pain, doctors refer to this as dyspareunia.
Its causes can be both physical and psychological and include (among others):
- Endometriosis
- Rigid hymen
- Vaginal stenosis
- Anxiety regarding penetration
- Being a victim of rape or sexual abuse
- Depression
In any case, your gynecologist will tell you what to do and what treatment to follow. In fact, they can even tell you if you need to visit a psychologist. Moreover, Kegel exercises are always recommended so that you can gain greater control and strengthen your pelvic floor.
We recommend you to read: 6 Reasons Why You May Not Be Fully Enjoying Sex
Anorgasmia
As the name suggests, anorgasmia is the inability to reach orgasm. This can even occur when there’s proper stimulation and sexual desire. For this reason, it’s highly associated with mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, sexual prejudices, and taboos, among others.
In general, the treatment of anorgasmia includes certain self-knowledge tasks. For example, learning to know your own body, sexual arousal techniques, and the use of vibrators, among others. Moreover, couple’s sex therapy can also help overcome this problem.
However, sometimes anorgasmia is related to other causes, such as menopause. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe topical estrogen creams.
This article may interest you: Five Tips to Enjoy a Fulfilling and Safe Sex Life
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is the prolonged lack of sexual desire and the lack of interest in sexual contact that, in many cases, leads those who suffer from it to avoid it altogether. Its causes are mostly psychological. Also, given the fact that, in most cases, there doesn’t seem to be an obvious reason for the lack of sexual desire, many women feel really frustrated.
Some of the causes of this disorder include (among others):
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Relationship problems
- Hormonal imbalances
- Alcohol or drug problems
- Menopause
Since many causes can lead to this disorder, the sufferer must be appropriately evaluated to identify them and then proceed to address the problem. If the cause is psychological, cognitive behavioral therapy may prove helpful. Moreover, couple’s sex therapy can also help overcome it.
Break free, relax, and discover
In short, except for periods characterized by hormonal changes such as menopause or pregnancy, most women’s sexual problems are related to stress, anxiety, or other psychological conditions. Whether this is because sexuality is still taboo or for other reasons, it’s best to consult a specialist and, above all, have your partner’s help and support.
In fact, women should never be blamed for their sexual problems. Similarly, they should never be forced to do anything. This will only cause more stress and, therefore, exacerbate the problems.
The point is to try to discover the causes and, from there, patiently walk the path of sexual self-knowledge and sexual liberation until you can enjoy truly a gratifying sex life.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Bodenmann G et al. “The association between daily stress and sexual activity”, J Fam Psychol. 2010 Jun;24(3):271-9. doi: 10.1037/a0019365.
- Andrea Bradford y Cindy M. Meston, “The impact of anxiety on sexual arousal in women”, Behav Res Ther. 2006 Aug; 44(8): 1067–1077.
- Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. “Menopause and Sexuality”, Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2015 Sep; 44(3): 649–661, doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2015.05.009
