Female Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual Problems and Female Sexual Dysfunction Disrupt Your Life

As women age, they may experience a decrease in sexual interest or desire that can not only affect their relationship, but quality of life as well. Dr. J. Kyle Mathews offers complete evaluation and treatment of sexual problems in women.

Symptoms of Female Sexual Dysfunction

Female sexual dysfunction involves continual and recurrent issues of sexual response or desire, whether a decrease in sex drive and strong dislike of sexual activity, or difficulty becoming aroused and achieving orgasm. A woman may also experience pain with sexual intercourse. All of these symptoms can have a profound effect on a woman’s confidence.

Causes of Sexual Dysfunction

Because there can be many reasons for female sexual dysfunction, it is important for your gynecologist or urogynecologist to conduct a full evaluation, which includes a pelvic exam as well as a discussion of your medical and sexual history. Some of the physical reasons for sexual dysfunction can be:

  • Changing Hormone Levels: Decreased estrogen levels can lead to changes in the genital tissue or vaginal lining resulting in reduced sensitivity or pain during intercourse. Even after child birth or during breast feeding, women may experience vaginal dryness while hormone levels shift.
  • Pelvic Surgeries: Prior pelvic surgeries can have long-term effects, causing some women to experience extreme pain during intercourse.
  • Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Not uncommon in women, pelvic organ prolapse can be the result of aging, menopause or multiple births. Prolapse of the pelvic floor leads to the relaxation of the muscles and ligaments that hold up the uterus, bladder, urethra, vagina and rectum, resulting in incontinence or pain during intercourse.

Types of Female Sexual Dysfunction

Female sexual dysfunction is generally divided into the following four categories, which are not mutually exclusive:

Low sexual desire. You have diminished libido, or lack of sex drive.

Sexual arousal disorder. Your desire for sex might be intact, but you have difficulty or are unable to become aroused or maintain arousal during sexual activity.

Orgasmic disorder. You have persistent or recurrent difficulty in achieving orgasm after sufficient sexual arousal and ongoing stimulation.

Sexual pain disorder. You have pain associated with sexual stimulation or vaginal contact.

Sexual response is a complex interaction of many components, including physiology, emotions, experiences, beliefs, lifestyle and relationships. If any one of these components is disrupted, sexual drive, arousal or satisfaction may be affected.

Board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Mathews is uniquely qualified to assess and treat sexual dysfunction in women. After a full evaluation, Dr. Mathews will suggest a course of treatment specific to you and your situation. Most treatments will involve estrogen or androgen therapy, or simple lifestyle changes. However, sexual dysfunction treatments may include reconstructive pelvic surgery using the latest in robotic technology and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Dr. Mathews, a board certified urogynecologist, has spent more than two decades developing his therapeutic and surgical skills to care for the gynecological and pelvic health of his female patients in the Plano, Dallas and Frisco communities. If you’re experiencing a decrease in sexual interest or desire, and wonder if it could be a sexual dysfunction issue, contact Dr. J. Kyle Mathews at Plano Urogynecology Associates to make an appointment.