A solution to sexual challenges may lie within you and your partner, not at your local pharmacy:
""The findings from our study show how a woman's expectations to improve sexually can have a substantial positive effect on her sexual well-being without any actual drug treatment," Meston says. "Expecting to get better and trying to find a solution to a sexual problem by participating in a study seems to make couples feel closer, communicate more and even act differently towards each other during sexual encounters."
"Many women reported they received more stimulation during sexual activity while they participated in the trial, even though their partners were not given any special instructions."
Quote Source — Original Medical Article Abstract — Related: Placebo Affect
Webmaster's Note: While the information presented below is based on a book published more than 10 years ago, I'm not aware that our understanding of normal female sexual function has increased significantly since then, and progress on treatment of female sexual dissatisfaction/dysfunction has progressed even less. No magical wonder drug has been discovered, despite everyone's expectations. Female sexuality has proven to be much more complex than originally envisioned. When new information is added to the website, often in the form of Medical Quotes and News Article Quotes, they are listed on the Updates Page. Those additions may be placed within other articles, rather than here. The article titled "Low or Absent Female Sexual Desire: A Layman's Assessment of the Diagnosis and Treatment" has relevant information.
The following information is from the book For Women Only by Jennifer Berman, M.D., and Laura Berman, PH.D.. I highly recommend this book to any woman who is not satisfied with all aspects of her sexuality. All women should consider owning it as it will give them a better understanding of their sexuality, and the things and events that may have a negative impact on it at some point in their life. Even if you feel your sex life is perfect now, you will want to ensure that it stays that way. If you value your sexual pleasure, you will want to own this book. Guys, buy this book for your partner! Illustrations contained within the book For Women Only can be seen in the anatomy section.
The clinical or correct term used to specify "sexual dissatisfaction" is actually "sexual dysfunction." The Bermans prefer to use the term "sexual dissatisfaction" when speaking with their patients. The correct "label" is unlikely to be one a woman wants to apply to herself. In addition, if a woman is not happy with all aspects of her sexuality she is not automatically "dysfunctional." A woman is more likely to feel comfortable saying she is dissatisfied than she is to say she is dysfunctional. It is for this reason that I have chosen to use the term "sexual dissatisfaction" as well.
This book contains the latest information on the diagnosis and treatment of female sexual dissatisfaction. A recent study found 43% of women are experiencing the effects of sexual dissatisfaction. Only recently has the medical profession put any significant effort into trying to discover the causes. Since the true causes have often been unknown, there has been a lack of effective and reliable treatments. Women who are searching for a solution to the sexual difficulties they are experiencing may very well find themselves needing to read this book cover to cover prior to taking it with them when they visit their doctor, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. There is an extremely good chance your doctor may not be aware of the information it contains, as much of it has been developed or discovered within in the past three years. Do not expect medical professionals to know all the information it contains. Most medical professionals receive little or no training in female sexuality.
In 1998 a panel of nineteen medical specialists from around the world met to redefine the definitions used to describe female sexual dissatisfaction. Prior to then, sexual dissatisfaction was thought to be solely psychological in origin, now it is accepted that in may have a medical origin. The original definitions may have dealt solely with psychological causes as the American Psychiatric Association created them, twenty years ago. The panel agreed upon four classification of female sexual dissatisfaction, they are given below.
The information presented in the next four paragraphs is Copyrighted 2001 by Jennifer Berman, M.D., and Laura Berman, PH.D..
1. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A lack of sexual desire that causes a woman personal distress. This includes a persistent or recurring deficiency or absence of sexual fantasies or thoughts, or a lack of interest in sexual activity. As a subcategory, it includes sexual aversion disorder. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder may be the result of medical factors (such as medications), emotional factors (such as depression), or menopause (either natural or surgical). Sexual aversion disorder is the complete avoidance of sexual intercourse or relations. It is also classified as a phobic disorder that can result from physical or sexual abuse or childhood trauma. [Hypo- means lack or deficiency.]
2. Sexual Arousal Disorder: An inability to attain or maintain adequate genital lubrication, swelling, or other somatic [somatic relating to the body, not the mind] responses, such as nipple sensitivity. Disorders of arousal include a lack of vaginal lubrication; decreased clitoral or labial sensation; decreased clitoral and labial engorgement; or lack of vaginal lengthening, dilation, and arousal. Although these conditions can be caused by psychological factors, such as depression, they can also have a medical basis, such as diminished vaginal or clitoral blood flow. Some women with physically based sexual function problems understandably develop psychological problems, which must also be addresses.
There are four subtypes of Sexual Arousal Disorder:
a) Subjective Sexual Arousal Disorder is "characterized by diminished or absent feelings of sexual excitement and pleasure but intact vaginal lubrication." This occurs when exposure to mental and/or physical sexual stimulation results in physical sexual arousal but a woman is not aware of her physical arousal. For some reason her brain does not make her aware of the fact that her body is sexually aroused. During partnered sex she may not "feel" sexually aroused but increased vaginal lubrication indicates to her partner that she is. This subject is addressed in a Question & Answer.
b) Genital Sexual Arousal Disorder is "characterized by diminished or absent genital arousal, i.e. lubrication and sensation." This occurs when sexual stimulation does not result in physical sexual arousal. Her mind may be telling a woman she is sexually aroused but there is no increased vaginal lubrication or blood engorgement of her genitals. This is more likely to be indicative of a physical or medical problem, but current research indicates this is a much less common experience than subjective sexual arousal disorder.
c) Combined Genital and Subjective Arousal Disorder is "characterized by diminished or absent sexual excitement and genital arousal." This is a combination of the above two definitions. This occurs when there is neither physical or mental sexual arousal. This may be caused by medical or environmental factors. Women with insufficient levels of testosterone may experience decreased or absence of sexual desire, arousal, and sensation. Natural and surgical menopause and medically prescribed hormonal treatments like birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy (HRT or ERT) can reduce testosterone production.
d) Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder is "characterized by spontaneous and persistent genital arousal which is unwanted." This a new diagnosis that appears to be relatively rare, yet causes significant emotional distress for those who experience it. It is possible that women who stop taking an antidepressant medication after using it for an extended period of time are more susceptible to this condition than others. After having their sexual responses impaired by the medication it is possible their body is unable to limit their sexual responses as it should. This is not to be confused with an intense yet normal level of sexual desire and arousal. 53% of women in a survey on this website say they believe their level of sexual desire is greater than that of their peers and in another survey 45% say they believe their level of sexual arousal is greater than that of their peers. This indicates women in general believe they have stronger or more intense sexual feelings than their peers, or what is socially acceptable. This subject in addressed in a Question & Answer.
3. Orgasmic Disorder: A difficulty or inability to reach orgasm after sufficient sexual stimulation and arousal. Orgasmic disorder also includes any difficulty or delay in reaching orgasm that causes the woman personal distress. The quality of the orgasm may also be diminished. Some women with orgasmic disorder describe their orgasms as "muffled," particularly if they have had strong orgasms in the past. Orgasmic disorder is most often categorized as primary, meaning that a woman has never achieved orgasm, or secondary, meaning that she can no longer achieve orgasm because of surgery, hormone deficiencies, or trauma. Primary orgasmic disorder can be caused by emotional trauma or sexual abuse, but many medical factors, such as medications or damage to the pelvic nerves during surgery, may also contribute to the problem. Clitoridectomy, or the removal of the clitoris, as practiced in some cultures in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, would seem to be a natural cause of this category of dysfunction.
4. Sexual Pain Disorders: These include dyspareunia, which is a recurrent or persistent genital pain associated with sexual intercourse. Dyspareunia can develop as a result of medical problems, such as vaginal infections or thinning of the vaginal lining during menopause, or following some vaginal or vulvar surgical procedures. It can also be psychological based or reflect a relationship problem or other emotional conflict. More often than not, as with most disorders, it is a combination of physiological and psychological factors. Another sexual pain disorder is vaginismus, or involuntary muscles spasms of the lower third of the vagina, which interferes with or precludes vaginal penetration. Vaginismus usually develops as a conditioned response to painful penetration, but it can also be due to emotional or relationship problems. The panel identified a third subcategory as other sexual pain disorders, or genital pain induced by noncoital sexual stimulation. This is pain that occurs with any type of sexual stimulation other than intercourse. Although sexual stimulation triggers the pain, the primary cause of the pain can include vaginal infections, prior genital mutilation (a rite of female passage in some African countries which we discuss in chapter 6), or vestibulitis, a recurring inflammation and burning sensation around the opening of the vagina.
Sexual Pain Resources:
Medical Abstract:
Originally Published: July 2009
A Prospective Study of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: Pain and Psychosexual Outcomes in Provoked Vestibulodynia
Introduction. Research suggests that increased tension in the pelvic floor muscles of women with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD, the most common form of chronic vulvar pain) may play an important role in maintaining and exacerbating their pain. However, no prospective studies of pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) for PVD have been carried out.
Aim. This study prospectively examined the effectiveness of a PFPT intervention in treating the pain and sexual and psychological components of PVD, and determined predictors of greater treatment success.
Methods. Thirteen women with PVD completed eight sessions of PFPT. Participants were assessed at pre- and post-treatment via gynecological examinations, vestibular pain threshold testing, structured interviews, and standardized questionnaires. A 3-month follow-up interview assessed any further changes.
Main Outcome Measures. Outcome measures included: vestibular pain thresholds, gynecological examination and intercourse pain ratings, sexual function and intercourse frequency, mental health, negative pain cognitions, and success rates.
Results. Following treatment, participants had significantly higher vestibular pain thresholds and significantly lower pain ratings during the gynecological examination. Participants reported significant reductions in pain intensity during intercourse and were able to engage in significantly more pain-free activities. Although overall sexual function significantly improved, various components of sexual function and frequency of intercourse did not. Participants' mental health did not significantly improve; however, pain catastrophizing and pain-related anxiety significantly decreased. The treatment was considered to be successful for 10 of the 13 participants, and predictors of greater treatment success included greater reductions in helplessness and a longer period of time in treatment.
Conclusions. Results provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of PFPT in treating the pain of PVD, as well as some of the sexual and cognitive correlates of PVD. The results also indicate the need for large-scale, randomized studies of the effectiveness of PFPT in comparison and in conjunction with other treatment options. [Source]
