Veronica's Random Dose - Sexual Disorders In Women - Is There A Little Blue Pill For Them Too?

Very much like their male counterparts, women suffer from sexual disorders as well.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (2006) more than 43% of American women (that's about 40 million) experience some form of sexual disorder.

Dr. Thomas E. Shook, M.D. (of the Urology Specialists of Coastal Gerogia, P.C.) stated, that female sexual dysfunction is generally divided into four categories:

• sexual pain disorder
• orgasmic disorder
• sexual arousal disorder
• low sexual desire

How are these disorders defined, and other than the conventional treatments, has a "little blue pill" been discovered to treat it?

* Sexual Pain Disorders.

According to Savannah Health Perspective (a local medical newsletter addressing medical topics by local physicians), a common sexual pain disorder is called dyspareunia, which is genital pain associated with intercourse.

Several factors contribute to this disorder (as listed below, though not limited to these):

1. scarring resulting in the narrowing of the vagina or the introitus (the opening of the vagina) or a decrease of tissue mobility
2. retroverted uterus (a uterus tilted backwards instead of forward and is quite common - it occurs in about one to five U.S. women - according to wrong diaganosis.com)
3. impaired mobility of pelvic organs
4. vaginal dryness or atrophy (atrophic vaginitis) which is thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to a decline in estrogen - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vaginal-atrophy/DS00770

A second sexual pain disorder is called vaginismus, which is a recurrent or persistent involuntary spasm or tightness of the vagina during attempted intercourse.

This tightness is caused by involuntary contractions of the pelvic floor muscles surrounding the vagina - http://www.vaginismus.com/faqs/vaginismus-questions/what-is-vaginismus

Several factors contribute to this disorder as well (as listed below, but not limited to):

1. inadequate lubrication
2. vulvar dermatitis - also called vulvar eczema, characterized by chronic irritation and/or pruritus, which causes women to persistently rub and scratch the vulva.
3. urethral disorders such as urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) or cysts

* Orgasmic Disorder.

This sexual disorder essentially means that females suffer from persistent or recurrent difficulties in achieving orgasms after sexual arousal.

Factors such as chemotherapy drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications may attribute to the decrease of a woman's sex drive and her ability to achieve that often sought after orgasm.

Another contributing factor is likely due to the vaginal dryness experienced when there's a change in estrogen levels during menopausal transition.

This transition may lead to changes in the genital tissue, reducing the sensitivity of the clitoris.

* Sexual Arousal Disorder.

In short, this type of sexual disorder is defined by a woman's inability to attain or maintain typical responses to sexual arousal (similar to the term erectile dysfunction or Ed experienced by some men).

Although there is a desire for sexual intercourse, one finds it quite difficult to become aroused or stay aroused.

* Low Sexual Desire.

Characterized by a diminished libido or lack of sex drive, low sexual desire disorder, much like sexual arousal disorder, can be contributed to several non-physical factors:

1. Untreated anxiety, depression, or stress
2. The demands of early motherhood (or motherhood - period)
3. self-image issues
4. conflicts with one's partner
5. internal and external conflicts - internal being the most influencing.

* So What's The Solution?

Depending on factors such as the particular disorder, the cause (whether it be physical, emotional, or psychological), and the individual woman's preference, there are a bevy of solutions to a combat sexual disorders in women. Such as:

1. Couple's therapy
2. Stress management
3. Switching medications
4. Localized estrogen therapy
5. Special exercises and relaxation techniques
6. A change toward healthier lifestyle habits
7. Surgical treatments .... which is usually used when pelvic pain disorder is the cause
8. Combined treatments .... all of which should be discussed with your attending physician

* Men Have A "Little Blue Pill" - What About Us Women?

Although several of the techniques listed above have been successful (Dr. Thomas E. Shook, M.D. stated, "a combined treatment approach is frequently necessary to achieve success), according to Dr. Thomas E. Shook, a drug called Tibolone - which is currently being used in Europe and Australia for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis - has been found to have a surprising side effect.

In a small study of 140 women, those who were given the drug experienced an increase in vaginal lubrication, arousal and sexual desire, in contrast to those who were not (at this time however, the drug has yet to be approved by the FDA - check this link out for more details on this small study http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19731119).

With the sliver of evidence presented by this study group, further test and an FDA approval, who knows - maybe Tibolone could be the making, or start of a "little blue pill" for women suffering from sexual disorders. Only time will tell.

copywrite © 2009