There are many problems that can keep a woman from enjoying sex. They include
- Lack of sexual desire
- Inability to become aroused
- Lack of orgasm, or sexual climax
- Painful intercourse
These problems may have physical or psychological causes. Physical causes may include conditions like diabetes, heart disease, nerve disorders or hormone problems. Some drugs can also affect desire and function. Psychological causes may include work-related stress and anxiety. They may also include depression or concerns about marriage or relationship problems. For some women, the problem results from past sexual trauma.
Occasional problems with sexual function are common. If problems last more than a few months or cause distress for you or your partner, you should see your healthcare provider.
- Aging Well, Living Well -- Sexual Health(National Women's Health Information Center) - http://womenshealth.gov/ow/sexuality/index.cfm
- Female Sexual Dysfunction(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/female-sexual-dysfunction/DS00701/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
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Sexual Dysfunction in Women: What Can I Do If Sex Isn't Working for Me?(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/reproductive/sex-dys/612.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/women/reproductive/sex-dys/612.printerview.html
- Sex Therapy: Is It an Option for You?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/sex-therapy/MC00065/METHOD=print
- Self-Help Tips for Vulvar Skin Care(National Vulvodynia Association) - http://www.nva.org/patient_services/Self_Help_Tips.html
- Vaginal Dryness(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/vaginal-dryness/DS00550/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Chronic Pelvic Pain(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/chronic-pelvic-pain/DS00571/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Low Sex Drive in Women(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/low-sex-drive-in-women/DS01043/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Orgasmic Disorder(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec22/ch250/ch250g.html
- Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/painful-intercourse/DS01044/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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Pelvic Pain
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) - http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/Pelvic_Pain.cfm
- Sexual Arousal Disorder(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec22/ch250/ch250f.html
- Vaginismus: Finding Hope for Unconsummated Marriages and Female Sexual Pain(National Women's Health Information Center) - http://www.womenshealth.gov/editor/2008/02/
- Am I Sexually Normal?(InteliHealth) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/35320/35321/366222.html?d=dmtHMSContent
- Effects of Cancer Treatment on Female Sexual Desire and Response(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_7_2x_Cancer_Treatments_Effects_On_Female_Sexual_Desire_And_Response.asp?sitearea=MIT
- Ways of Dealing with Sexual Problems(American Cancer Society) - http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_7_2X_Ways_of_Dealing_With_Specific_Sexual_Problems.asp?sitearea=MIT
- Women and Sexuality: The Myth of the First Time(InteliHealth) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/35320/35321/413738.html?d=dmtHMSContent
- Atlas of the Body: Female Reproductive Organs(American Medical Association) - http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZ8QKJ56JC&sub_cat=516
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Female Reproductive System(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/female_reproductive_system.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/general/female_reproductive_system_esp.html
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Sexual+Dysfunctions,+Psychological%22
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Dyspareunia(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Dyspareunia%22
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Female Sexual Dysfunction(National Institutes of Health) - http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22sexual+dysfunction%22+women
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Police violence and sexual risk among female and transvestite sex... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18667468&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Sildenafil treatment of women with antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction: a randomized... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18647982&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Prevalence of low sexual desire and hypoactive sexual desire disorder... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18625925&tool=MedlinePlus
- Female Sexual Dysfunction -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=sexual+dysfunctions,psychological[majr]+OR+sexual+dysfunction,physiological[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+female[mh]+NOT+(transsexualism[mh]+OR+impotence[mh])+AND+(review[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+systematic[sb]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- ACOG's Physician Directory(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - http://www.acog.org/member-lookup/disclaimer.cfm
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - http://www.acog.org/
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National Women's Health Information Center(Dept. of Health and Human Services) - http://womenshealth.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://womenshealth.gov/espanol/
- Aging Well, Living Well -- Sexual Health(National Women's Health Information Center) - http://womenshealth.gov/ow/sexuality/index.cfm
- Vaginal Diseases - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vaginaldiseases.html
- Vulvar Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/vulvardisorders.html
- Female Reproductive System - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/femalereproductivesystem.html
- Sexual Health Issues - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sexualhealthissues.html
- Women - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/women.html