Causes and risk factors
Female sexual dysfunction arises due to several reasons such as physical or psychological. Physical causes include lax pelvic musculature, local vaginal infections, UTI, episiotomy surgery; medical conditions like malignancy, diabetes, kidney disorders, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, hormonal imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, alcoholism, drug abuse, medications like anti depressants. Main factors responsible for sexual dysfunction are lack of correct information regarding sexual interaction, guilt or anxiety regarding sex, failure to communicate with partner. Other Psychological causes include stress, overexposure to pornography, gender identity, childhood sexual abuse.
Clinical presentation
A doctor comes to the diagnosis of female sexual dysfunction when the female is not able to fully and pleasurably experience the stages of sexual activity. The female complaints of absence of arousal inspite of sexual desire, no desire for sex due to lack of interest in sex, or boredom of sexual routine, lack of enthusiasm, if one is unable to experience orgasm, pain during sexual intercourse, painful involuntary spasm of muscles surrounding vagina [vaginismus], sexual phobia.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. A gynaecologist may perform a pelvic exam, Pap smear test to rule out cancer or pre cancerous condition. Routine blood Investigations to find the underlying cause may be done.
Treatment
Medications include hormonal therapy, use of a local lubricant in case of dryness of vagina. Treating the underlying cause is essential. Doctor may advise some pelvic floor exercises or kegel exercises for muscle strengthening and tightening. In most cases counselling by a sex therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist plays an important role. Counselling includes that of the patient as well as the partner. Stress in relationships and mental trauma can be overcome by psychotherapy.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating female sexual dysfunction. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating female sexual dysfunction. Sex education at adolescent age is being executed in different schools for the proper knowledge of sex in a proper way.
Recent updates
Female genital mutilation or female circumcision is a major cause of female sexual dysfunction which is practiced by a community in some parts of the world.
