Sexual Health

What is sexual health?

Sexual health means having a healthy, enjoyable sex life that you find rewarding and fulfilling. Women can experience a range of sexual health problems, including:

Desire and arousal problems

These are common issues that affect many women. While not feeling in the mood for sex at times is quite normal, if your lack of interest or arousal is persistent and causing you distress, you should seek help from Philadelphia Women's Health & Wellness.

Orgasmic problems

Many women have problems reaching orgasm. Others may find that their orgasms take longer or are less satisfying. Orgasm is highly personal, so what matters most is how you feel about your orgasmic experience.

Sexual pain

Dyspareunia is the medical name for painful sex. One of the causes is vaginismus, a condition where your vaginal muscles tighten and make penetration difficult. You might begin to avoid sex as you fear the pain, which only makes the problem worse.

What causes sexual health problems?

The causes of sexual health problems can be physical, psychological, or both. Changes in the levels of female sex hormones are a common cause of changes in desire and arousal during perimenopause and menopause.

You might also experience sexual health problems if you're living with a chronic medical condition. Cancer, diabetes, chronic pain, mental health disorders, and many other conditions can reduce your interest in sex.

The medications you take can also affect your sexual health. Medications most likely to cause problems include:

• Anticholinergics
• Birth control pills
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Heart medications
• Blood pressure medicines
• Antidepressants
• Opioid painkillers
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Recreational drug use

Your relationship with your partner could affect your sexual health, or you might have problems because of experiences in your past that have left you with negative feelings about sex.

How are sexual health problems treated?

As there's such a wide variety of sexual health problems, treatment at Philadelphia Women's Health & Wellness takes many forms.

Treating any underlying health issues and changing your medication can help if this is the cause of your sexual health problems. If your difficulties are related to falling hormone levels, hormone replacement therapy can relieve vaginal dryness.

If painful intercourse is a problem, you might need physical therapy to build strength in your pelvic floor. Using dilators can help stretch your vaginal muscles. Counseling and working with a sex therapist can be helpful for psychological and relationship issues.

If you're concerned about your sexual health in any way, the expert team at Philadelphia Women's Health & Wellness can help. Call or book an appointment online today.