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In women, “sexual dysfunction” encompasses many conditions related to one’s ability to have or enjoy sex. Sexual dysfunction may involve issues with desire, arousal, orgasm, or intercourse. Because the causes of sexual dysfunction vary, treatments for the condition also vary.
Female Sexual Dysfunction falls under the Healthy Aging & Longevity category.
“Sexual dysfunction” is a blanket term for conditions that affect a person’s ability to have or enjoy sexual activity. In women, such conditions include:[1]
The signs and symptoms of sexual dysfunction vary on the condition, but often involve:[2]
Sexual dysfunction is typically diagnosed with a combination of a patient interview, a physical examination (particularly a pelvic exam), and blood tests. Not all sexual dysfunction will have a physiological dimension, so one’s personal emotional/psychological/cultural experience of sex is important to factor in.[3][4]
Medical treatment can vary based on the nature of the sexual dysfunction that a person is experiencing, but may include topical or systemic hormone therapy, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, or psychiatric medications such as antidepressants.[1]
Maca is one of the better-studied supplements for libido (in both men and women), and can produce a notable increase in libido. Additionally, tribulus-terrestris may produce a small improvement in libido. A handful of studies have found promising but preliminary effects of fenugreek, eurycoma longifolia, panax ginseng, and rhodiola rosea.
Diet primarily influences sexual dysfunction through diet-related health conditions. Undereating (e.g., due to “overdieting” or food insecurity) can suppress libido. Additionally, conditions such as obesity, metabolic-syndrome, and type-2-diabetes can negatively affect sexual function, so dietary practices that are conducive to healthy body weight (i.e., aiming to be neither over- nor underweight) and cardiovascular function are advisable.[5][6]
Psychotherapy can be beneficial when sexual dysfunction is related to psychological/emotional factors (such as anxiety, traumatic experience, or poor body image). Similarly, education about genital anatomy and the ways in which healthy sexual function varies can benefit individuals who are concerned about how their bodies/sexual behavior compares to “normal”.[1][3]
Physical activity can benefit sexual dysfunction in a number of ways, including increasing stamina, elevating mood, and potentially improving body image.[7]
Physiotherapy and vaginal dilators can also be useful tools for treating sexual dysfunction, particularly if hypertonicity of the vaginal muscles is involved.[8][9]
“Normal” sexual function requires the vascular, neurological, hormonal, and psychological systems to function together. As such, issues with any of these symptoms may produce issues with sexual function.[10] Physiological causes of sexual dysfunction can include issues with the genitourinary, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological, and endocrine systems. Emotional, psychological, and cultural causes can include the use of libido-affecting medications, anxiety and depression, traumatic experience, a sexually repressive cultural environment, poor body image, fatigue, and substance abuse.
“Sexual dysfunction” is a blanket term for conditions that affect a person’s ability to have or enjoy sexual activity. In women, such conditions include:[1]
The signs and symptoms of sexual dysfunction vary on the condition, but often involve:[2]
Sexual dysfunction is typically diagnosed with a combination of a patient interview, a physical examination (particularly a pelvic exam), and blood tests. Not all sexual dysfunction will have a physiological dimension, so one’s personal emotional/psychological/cultural experience of sex is important to factor in.[3][4]
Medical treatment can vary based on the nature of the sexual dysfunction that a person is experiencing, but may include topical or systemic hormone therapy, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, or psychiatric medications such as antidepressants.[1]
Maca is one of the better-studied supplements for libido (in both men and women), and can produce a notable increase in libido. Additionally, tribulus-terrestris may produce a small improvement in libido. A handful of studies have found promising but preliminary effects of fenugreek, eurycoma longifolia, panax ginseng, and rhodiola rosea.
It depends on the product touted to be an aphrodisiac, but some of them do apparently increase sexual desire; it is a relatively under-researched topic though, and we don't know why they increase sexuality.
In general, yes; some compounds may act as aphrodisiacs (in addition to being pro-erectile agents, usually seen as a different category). Not all compounds touted to increase libido do, but quite a few herbs have shown to be effective in increasing libido and sexuality.
A wide variety of herbals and related compounds are marketing for increasing sex drive and appetite. These aphrodisiacs are usually herbs that have been used traditionally for increasing 'vitality' or male 'sexuality' and are being investigated scientifically for their roles in either fighting age-related sexual decline or possibly to fight andropause (a term used to mimick menopause, describing the decline of vitality and testosterone seen in aging men).
No sufficient in vitro (in glass) test will tell if a compound is a good aphrodisiac, studies done on the subject matter must be in vivo (in life); usually a rat model.
In general, rats are given a compound and then their sexuality is observed. Pre-sexual signs (anorectal sniffing of female rats) indicate libido whereas the frequency of sexual encounters (mounting, ejaculation latency, time to re-mount or time between ejaculations) indicate virility. These studies, if they note an increase in rat sexuality, serve as the starting evidence for what works as an aphrodisiac.
It should be noted that rats can either be chemically or physically castrated or they can be otherwise healthy; this is an important distinction, as castracted rats serve as a model for human hypogonadism (chemically usually mimicks central hypothalamic hypogonadism, and crushing the poor rat testicles mimicks peripheral, or testicular, hypogonadism). Otherwise healthy rats would be a good model for otherwise healthy humans.
After rat studies, compounds are sometimes tested in humans for their aphrodisiac effects. The results are usually obtained via self-report survey about how sexual the subjects felt during the trial period.
Compounds that have been touted or otherwise shown to increase Aphrodisia and Sexual appetite are currently listed and updated on our categorical page on Aphrodisiac compounds.
Diet primarily influences sexual dysfunction through diet-related health conditions. Undereating (e.g., due to “overdieting” or food insecurity) can suppress libido. Additionally, conditions such as obesity, metabolic-syndrome, and type-2-diabetes can negatively affect sexual function, so dietary practices that are conducive to healthy body weight (i.e., aiming to be neither over- nor underweight) and cardiovascular function are advisable.[5][6]
Yes. Although a little alcohol might decrease one’s inhibitions and thus increase libido, too much alcohol acutely (drunkenness) or chronically (alcoholism) can lead to sexual disorders, loss of libido and less intense orgasms.
Psychotherapy can be beneficial when sexual dysfunction is related to psychological/emotional factors (such as anxiety, traumatic experience, or poor body image). Similarly, education about genital anatomy and the ways in which healthy sexual function varies can benefit individuals who are concerned about how their bodies/sexual behavior compares to “normal”.[1][3]
Physical activity can benefit sexual dysfunction in a number of ways, including increasing stamina, elevating mood, and potentially improving body image.[7]
Physiotherapy and vaginal dilators can also be useful tools for treating sexual dysfunction, particularly if hypertonicity of the vaginal muscles is involved.[8][9]
A moderate amount of exercise can increase levels of hormones in the body including testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, prolactin, and oxytocin — all of which play a role in one’s sex drive. Regular exercise has been shown to improve sexual satisfaction, partly by improving mood and sexual wellbeing.[16] These effects may also be linked to exercise creating a more positive body image in some individuals. Exercise may also alleviate sexual dysfunction in women who are using antidepressants and women who have had a hysterectomy.[16] As with all things, the dose matters! Whereas moderate levels of physical activity are associated with better sexual function and lower sexual distress, excessive exercise is associated with poor sexual function and low sexual satisfaction.[7]
cannabis use is frequently associated with feelings of euphoria that may enhance mood, increase sexual desire, and boost arousal — leading to a better sexual experience. Unfortunately, there is a lack of research on the effects of cannabis on sexual function. Cannabis use has been linked to increase sexual frequency in women.[17] Higher frequency of cannabis use has been found to be unrelated to sexual problems in women [18] and in fact, some studies find that women who frequently use cannabis report greater sexual satisfaction than less-frequent or non-users.[19]
“Normal” sexual function requires the vascular, neurological, hormonal, and psychological systems to function together. As such, issues with any of these symptoms may produce issues with sexual function.[10] Physiological causes of sexual dysfunction can include issues with the genitourinary, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neurological, and endocrine systems. Emotional, psychological, and cultural causes can include the use of libido-affecting medications, anxiety and depression, traumatic experience, a sexually repressive cultural environment, poor body image, fatigue, and substance abuse.
Chronic stress, depression, and anxiety may all contribute to sexual dysfunction. When stress levels go up, hormones like cortisol and epinephrine are released, which can diminish sex drive and libido. Women who experience chronic high stress have lower levels of genital arousal, higher levels of cortisol, and more distraction during moments of sexual arousal.[11] Even a brief period of acute stress can diminish sexual arousal.[12] Long-term stress due to sexual abuse, worries about pregnancy or infertility, and the increased demands of becoming a mother are also sources of social and psychological stress that may contribute to sexual dysfunction.[13]
During menopause, the decline in estrogen and testosterone can diminish one’s sex drive, arousal, and interest in sex. However, not all postmenopausal women report a loss of sex drive and, in fact, lower levels of stress and anxiety due to motherhood may actually lead to improved intimacy and libido during this stage of life. Low estrogen levels do contribute to vulvovaginal atrophy (characterized by dryness, itching, irritation, and reduced vaginal lubrication),reduced vaginal blood flow, and the capacity for arousal and orgasm.[14] Treatment with estrogen therapy seems to improve many of these symptoms.[15]
