Causes of Female Sexual Dysfunction

Female sexual dysfunction is a disorder that is characterized by a lack of interest in sexual activity, inability to become aroused, inability to experience orgasm and/or pain during sexual contact. You may feel embarrassed and alone if you’re experiencing the symptoms of FSD; however, at some point in their lives, more than 40 percent of women experience some or all of these symptoms.
 
Female sexual dysfunction can cause anguish, strained relationships, and sometimes, very real physical pain. Problems with female sexuality aren’t as recognized as male sexual problems, but an increasing number of medical professionals are beginning to explore the issues that cause this common disorder.
 
What causes female sexual dysfunction? Doctors and researchers have discovered that it’s often more than one factor at work causing the symptoms of FSD.

Relationship/Partner Issues

For most women, unlike the majority of men, emotional intimacy is necessary to have truly enjoyable physical intimacy. There are a variety of other factors that are often also necessary for a woman to become aroused.
 
Therefore, it may be difficult for some women to be interested and engaged in sex if they are not feeling emotionally connected with their partner.
 
The following are some common relationship issues that may contribute to female sexual dysfunction:
  • arguments (about sex or otherwise)
  • lack of communication about sexual needs
  • lack of romance in the relationship
  • tension in the relationship for any reason.
Fortunately, relationship issues can often be resolved with open communication, patience and understanding. Couple’s therapy can also help solve these issues.

Psychological Issues

As we’ve learned, female sexuality is much more than a physical issue. When it comes to female sexuality, many psychological issues often come into play, including a woman's feelings toward her partner and her relationship.
 
Some psychological disorders and conditions have side effects that manifest themselves as FSD, including a lack of interest in sex and a physical inability to become aroused or reach an orgasm. Psychological issues that may cause female sexual dysfunction include:
  • anxiety and/or stress
  • childhood issues
  • concerns about pregnancy and/or sexual health
  • confidence issues and body image
  • depression
  • emotional distress
  • religious beliefs about sex and sexual pleasure.
Oftentimes, psychological issues play a major factor in the onset of FSD. Whether a woman was sexually abused as a child, or she is simply self-conscious about the size of her thighs, these issues must be addressed for her to feel truly satisfied sexually.

Physical Issues

Sometimes, a woman may have sexual desire but experience pain and discomfort during sex. Though she may feel an intimate connection with her partner, and a desire to have intercourse, she may experience an inability to become physically aroused.
 
Some physical issues that may cause FSD include:
  • debilitating neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis
  • fatigue
  • headaches
  • hormone changes (after having a baby, or going on or off birth control)
  • side effects of certain medications.
Also, female sexual dysfunction and aging are intrinsically linked. During menopause, lower estrogen levels may cause a woman to have a decreased desire for intercourse and an inability to become physically aroused.

Treating Female Sexual Problems

While many female sexual problems can be traced to psychological roots, recent research has discovered that many forms of FSD are physical in nature, while still others stem from relationship problems. In truth, psychological, physical and relationship problems are often interdependent. Since the causes of FSD are complex and different for each woman, treatments will vary.
 
Resources
 
Mayo Clinic (2008). Female sexual dysfunction: Causes. Retrieved November 26, 2008, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/female-sexual-dysfunction/DS00701/DSECTION=causes.
 
Saks, Bonnie, MD (2008). Common issues in female sexual dysfunction. Retrieved November 26, 2008, from the Psychiatric Times Web site: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/display/article/10168/1153918.