Female sexual problems associated with aging
BySexuality is one of the most basic aspects of the human animal, and it is an influence on each of us from the early days when we awaken to our sexuality until we pass on. We express it in everything we say and do with members of the opposite sex. Although how we express it over time may change, sexual expression is basic and essential to good health.
But is everyone perfectly healthy? Many of us are pretty good overall, but nearly everyone develops a few health issues as we move through our lives. Here we will focus on a couple of the more common sexual health challenges women face as they age.
There are many types of sexual difficulties that can happen anywhere from teen years on, with some problems being very common among women. Here are some of the most common, most of which are experienced later in life:
- Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
- Arousal disorders
- Orgasmic disorder
- Sexual pain
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder is generally defined as “a lack of sexual desire that causes personal distress”. When a woman has an ongoing near total lack of sexual thoughts, fantasies, or desire, or is just constantly disinterested in sexual contact, she may suffer from HSDD. Women with this condition may say they feel ‘flat’ or ‘sexually dead’. Causes include medications, excessive stress, depression or anxiety, relationship issues, menopause (hormonal).
Treatment generally looks at relationship and social influences first, as these influences often compound a lesser problem to become a greater one. Although there are pharmaceutical drugs that can be used to treat this condition, a less heavy handed approach is equally effective. Many women have resolved libido issues using products like Provestra, a compound of herbal compounds with centuries of use in native cultures.
Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD) is defined as ‘an inability for a woman to attain or maintain an adequate lubrication-swelling response of sexual excitement until completion of sexual fulfillment.’ It focuses more on the physical responses of the body, unlike HSDD which seems to frustrate sexual thoughts before they get to the physical stage. Diagnosis and treatments may be similar, although a specialist may be required rather than a GP.
Orgasmic disorders are said to exist when a woman is unable to achieve orgasm, or when there is a significant delay in achieving one when one is desired. Problems with achieving orgasm may result from a bad experience or during times of hardship in a relationship. Some women are born with this condition, while others experience it only at specific times or in certain situations. Because older women typically have more orgasms, this disorder is more common among younger women.
Sexual pain can result when a woman’s body produces too little lubrication as a result of depression. Mild depression is more common in women during middle age and in later years, especially with older generations, so the association between aging and sexual problems of this kind is often inaccurately linked. In these cases it is the depression that is the cause, and not aging itself, making the condition treatable.
Problems that are directly associated with aging include vaginal prolapse, irritation of the external genitals or walls of the vagina. Vaginal dryness is also more common of women of advancing years. These disorders are often reversible with proper care and attention. Seeing a physician is the first step.
Women can also increase libido and their bodies’ responses naturally using herbal supplements, as has been done in native cultures for hundreds of years. Modern herbal combinations like those found in products like Provestra and Vigorelle use this ancient wisdom to create modern natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals or other ‘harder’ therapies.
