Many women in recovery find some problems with their sexuality have emerged from the haze of alcoholism or addiction. This may be true for heterosexual and lesbian women.
These notes may help. Talk to your doctor if there is any signs apparent.
There are four recognised disorders of Female Sexual Dysfunction as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Medical Disorders. These are:
- Sexual desire disorders – A lack of sex drive or low libido. This is the most common type of sexual disorder among women
- Sexual arousal disorder – An inability to become aroused or maintain arousal during sexual activity
- Orgasmic disorder – A persistent or recurrent difficulty in achieving orgasm after sufficient sexual arousal and ongoing stimulation
- Sexual pain disorder – Pain associated with sexual stimulation or vaginal contact.
None of these are considered to be a sexual disorder unless the woman is distressed about her sexual condition.
Several factors can cause or contribute to sexual dysfunction and these are often interrelated. Physical conditions, such as arthritis, urinary or bowel problems, pelvic surgery and trauma, fatigue, headaches, neurological disorders, and untreated pain syndromes may lead to sexual dysfunction.
Certain medications and including antidepressants, blood pressure medications, antihistamines, and chemotherapy drugs can similarly affect a woman’s energy and desire for sexual activity.
Regular and heavy use of recreational drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, amphetamines (speed), heroin, ecstasy and LSD can effect sexual arousal, desire, orgasm and/or produce painful sex.
The decreases in sex hormone levels that occur with menopause and normal ageing may also be at the root of FSD. Reductions in oestrogen levels after menopause may lead to vaginal dryness, thinning of the vaginal lining, and decreased vaginal elasticity which, in turn, can lead to difficult or painful intercourse.
Additionally, testosterone contributes to libido in women so the natural fall in testosterone levels on ageing may reduce sex drive. For some women, hormone replacement therapy leads to greater sexual desire and there is evidence that optimal results are achieved by supplementing both oestrogen and testosterone to premenopausal levels.
Psychological factors including untreated anxiety, depression and a history of ongoing sexual abuse, work-related stress, partner’s health, and family issues may all contribute to loss of sexual desire and consequent sexual dysfunction.
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See also;
- Women’s Sexual Arousal
- Why do Women Have Sex?
- Effects of alcohol on women
- Sensual Massage
- A Woman’s Way Through The Twelve Steps
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To understand why sexual problems occur, it is important to understand the sexual response cycle. This cycle is the same in both men and women, although at different rates and, obviously, with different physical changes. The cycle has 4 steps.
* Desire (excitement phase) – Desire is a sexual “charge” that increases interest in and responsiveness to sexual activity. You feel “in the mood.” Your heartbeat and breathing quicken, and your skin becomes reddened (flushes).
* Arousal (plateau phase) – Sexual stimulation–touch, vision, hearing, taste, smell, or imagination–brings about further physical changes. Fluids are secreted within the vagina, moistening the vagina, labia, and vulva. These fluids provide lubrication for intercourse. The vagina expands, and the clitoris enlarges. The nipples become hardened or erect.
* Orgasm (climax) – At the peak of arousal, the muscles surrounding the vagina contract rhythmically, causing a pleasurable sensation. This is often referred to as the sexual climax.
* Resolution – The vagina, clitoris, and surrounding areas return to their unaroused states. You feel content, relaxed, possibly sleepy.
Every woman progresses through the cycle at her own rate, which is normal for her. A sexual problem may occur if any of these stages does not occur.
Sexual problems
The types of sexual problems in women correspond to the stages of the sexual response cycle. Inability to achieve any of the stages can interfere with sexual satisfaction and thus create a problem. Any of these can be very distressing for a woman, because everyone deserves a satisfying sex life. They can be distressing for her partner, too, and can lead to problems in the relationship.
* The sexual problems reported by women in the JAMA study comprised 3 types:
o Lack of sexual desire (22%) – Lack of interest in sex, or desire for sex, is a common problem in both men and women, but especially in women. Lack of desire stops the sexual response cycle before it starts. Lack of desire is temporary in some people and an ongoing problem in others.
o Difficulties becoming sexually aroused or achieving orgasm (14%) – Inability to become sexually aroused is sometimes related to lack of desire. In other cases, the woman feels sexual desire but cannot become aroused. Orgasm may be delayed or not occur at all (anorgasmia). This can be very distressing for a woman who feels desire and becomes aroused. It can create a vicious cycle in which the woman loses interest in sex because she does not have an orgasm.
o Pain during intercourse (7%) – Pain during intercourse (dyspareunia) is not uncommon. Like other sexual problems, it can cause a woman to lose interest in sex.
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