Sexual Problems in Women

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Summary

There are many problems that can keep a woman from enjoying sex. They include

Lack of sexual desire
Inability to become aroused
Lack of orgasm, or sexual climax
Painful intercourse

These problems may have physical or psychological causes. Physical causes may include conditions like diabetes, heart disease, nerve disorders, or hormone problems. Some drugs can also affect desire and function. Psychological causes may include work-related stress and anxiety. They may also include depression or concerns about marriage or relationship problems. For some women, the problem results from past sexual trauma.

Occasional problems with sexual function are common. If problems last more than a few months or cause distress for you or your partner, you should see your health care provider.

Start Here

Female Sexual Dysfunction (Hormone Health Network) Also in Spanish
Female Sexual Dysfunction (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Sexual Dysfunction in Women (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Your Sexual Health (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - PDF Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

Sex Therapy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Therapeutic Use of Androgens in Women (Hormone Health Network) - PDF

Living With

Self-Help Tips for Vulvar Skin Care (National Vulvodynia Association)

Related Issues

Cancer Treatment for Women: Possible Sexual Side Effects (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Sexuality for the Woman With Cancer (American Cancer Society) Also in Spanish
Vaginal Atrophy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Viagra for Women: Why Doesn't It Exist? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Women's Sexual Health: Talking about Your Sexual Needs (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Specifics

Anorgasmia in Women (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Dyspareunia: Painful Sex for Women (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Female Genital Cutting (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)
Female Genital Mutilation (World Health Organization) Also in Spanish
Low Sex Drive in Women (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Orgasmic Disorder (Merck & Co., Inc.)
Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Pelvic Pain (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
When Sex Is Painful (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - PDF

Videos and Tutorials

Sexual Problems (American Society for Reproductive Medicine)

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Vaginismus (National Institutes of Health)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Dyspareunia (National Institutes of Health)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Female Sexual Dysfunction (National Institutes of Health)

Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Reference Desk

Female Reproductive System (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Find an Expert

womenshealth.gov (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish

Seniors

Healthy Aging -- Sexual Health (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish
Sexual Difficulties (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)

Patient Handouts

Cancer treatment: fertility and sexual side effects in women Also in Spanish
Orgasmic dysfunction Also in Spanish
Vaginal dryness Also in Spanish
Vaginismus Also in Spanish
Women and sexual problems Also in Spanish

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