Services: Female Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction is as prevalent in women as it is in men. In many recent studies including the one by Laumann et al reported recently in JAMA (281:537,199), 30% to 50% of women have sexual dysfunction. Over 9.7 million American women aged 50 to 74 report complaints of diminished vaginal lubrication, pain and discomfort with intercourse, decreased arousal, and difficulty achieving orgasm. In a survey we conducted, 31 women between 23 and 77 years responded to an anonymous questionnaire on their sexual function at the time of their routine medical checkup. Twenty five (81%) of these women reported impairment of their sexual function, while 17 (55%) indicted they would seek treatment if effective therapy was available. The most common complaints were of vaginal lubrication, difficulty with orgasm and pain during or after intercourse.

We offer comprehensive evaluation and wholistic treatment options for women with concerns regarding their sexual function. Treatment options include:

Hormonal medications
Herbal supplements
Biofeedback training
Acupuncture

News

Four of every 10 U.S. women experience sexual dysfunction, survey indicates.

        Bloomberg News (10/31, Lopatto) reported, "Sex is painful, uninteresting, or unsatisfying for four of every 10 U.S. women, yet just 12 percent say they feel distress because of their difficulties," according to a survey in the November issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
        MedPage Today (10/31, Neale) added that for the study, funded by Boehringer Ingelheim International, investigators "surveyed 31,581 adult women (mean age 49; 81 percent white) about any sexual problems, and specifically those related to desire, arousal, or orgasm, as part of the Prevalence of Female Sexual Problems Associated with Distress and Determinants of Treatment Seeking (PRESIDE) study." Most of the respondents "(70 percent) had a current partner, 62 percent were premenopausal, and 72 percent reported at least one chronic medical condition other than depression."
        HealthDay (10/31, Gardner) reported that "overall, 43.1 percent of those surveyed reported some kind of sexual problem: 39 percent reported diminished desire, 26 percent reported problems with arousal, and 21 percent problems with achieving orgasm." But, only 12 percent "reported significant personal distress associated with this problem."
        In the Los Angeles Times (10/31) Booster Shots blog, Tami Dennis added that "problems were most common in women over age 65. Distress over them was most common in women age 45 to 64." Respondents "age 18 to 44, perhaps not surprisingly, were least likely to have problems or distress." MSNBC (10/31, Alexander) and UPI (11/1) also covered the story

Canwest News (10/30, Kirkey) reported: More than one in three women report having sexual problems, but only 12 percent say their lack of interest in sex is bothersome," according to a study in the November issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology. For the Boehringer Ingelheim International-funded study, researchers "surveyed 31,581 U.S. women aged 18 and older. The average age was 49." They found that "overall, 43 percent of women reported some level of sexual problems. The most common was low desire (39 percent), followed by low arousal (26 percent), and orgasm difficulties (21 percent)." However, "only 12 percent said these problems were a source of significant personal distress." In addition, the study found that "sexual problems increased with age. But 'distressing' sexual problems were more common in mid-aged women (45 to 64) than in younger or older women." Canwest News pointed out that "the study did not look at why mid-life women are more likely to experience sex-related distress."

Papers/URL's on Female Sexual Dysfunction

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If you would like more information please contact

Bruce R.Gilbert, M.D., Ph.D. at 516-487-2700 or bgilbert@gmail.com