Female Sexual Problems
Many women have problems with sex at some stage in their lives. With symptoms ranging from painful intercourse to feeling anxious during sex, difficulties climaxing to loss of interest in sex, many of the issues women can face can be linked with how they think and feel.
This is where many of the sexual issues that women face can differ from men’s sexual problems - the causes are often psychological rather than physiological. This can mean that treatment is more complex than it is for men, which can sometimes be solved with medication alone. But, for women’s sexual problems, successful treatment often involves delving into the mind.
On this page, we'll take a look at some of the common sexual problems women face and explore how hypnotherapy can help.
Types of female sex problems
There are many different problems that can affect your enjoyment of sex or intimacy with a partner. Some of the more common issues are listed below.
Pain during sex
Also known as dyspareunia, pain during sex can be very common - particularly in women who have gone through, or are going through, the menopause, due to a fall in oestrogen levels.
There are various other medical conditions that can contribute to this pain, including endometriosis, ovarian cysts, as well as scar tissue from surgery and sexually transmitted diseases. But, when physical causes are ruled out, painful intercourse is a learned response to sex. It can also be due to poor lubrication during sexual intimacy, which may be psychologically linked.
If left untreated, dyspareunia can lead to a negative cycle of reduced sex drive, avoidance of sexual activity or anorgasmia.
Vaginismus
In some cases, women experiencing pain during sex may have vaginismus - a distressing condition characterised by an involuntary spasm of the muscles that surround the entrance of the vagina. Vaginismus symptoms can be linked to some physical conditions, however, it is more commonly linked to psychological factors, such as relationship problems or a fear of pregnancy.
Early sexual experiences, including unpleasant or painful past experiences, or simply not being ready, can create anxiety and fear around sex causing the body to automatically protect itself and shut down. Vaginismus is common in women who fear penetration, and this may stem from a long-term sexual phobia or previous traumatic or painful experiences, such as sexual abuse or childbirth.
Sexual pain disorders affect women almost exclusively and are known as dyspareunia (painful intercourse) and vaginismus (an involuntary spasm of the muscles of the vaginal wall that interferes with intercourse).
Anorgasmia
Anorgasmia, or female orgasmic disorder, is the absence or persistent delay of orgasm following stimulation. Although many women do not need to have an orgasm to enjoy sex, being unable to orgasm may be troubling for some women and their partners.
Reasons why a woman can't orgasm vary from medical causes to deep-rooted psychological issues that may be impacting your ability to 'let go'. Mental health issues such as depression or previous traumatic experiences can also contribute to orgasmic disorder.
Some women may experience anorgasmia due to a lack of knowledge about sexual contact or have a very strong fear of sex and feeling aroused (often out of fear of losing control). Others may be dissatisfied in their relationship and with the sexual stimulation that their partner is (or isn't)
providing.
Loss of libido
Sex drive is a completely personal and individual aspect of what makes us who we are and, like many other things about us, it can change over time. It is particularly common for a woman to experience low libido at certain times in life - particularly during pregnancy and the menopause - but some women may have it more persistently.
As there are many factors that can lead to experiencing low sex drive - both psychological and physical - it is advisable to consult your GP as the first port of call. Some common causes include hormone problems, diabetes, depression, excessive tiredness, traumatic sexual experiences, and drug and alcohol abuse.
Inhibited sexual desire (ISD) is common in women but men can also be affected.
There are many reasons why your sex drive can decrease or disappear altogether regardless of whether you are a man or a woman. It can creep up suddenly without you even realising and it may take your partner to point it out to you before you sit up and take note. There may be something worrying you, constantly playing on your mind and this can have an impact on your general health and libido.
Whilst it is common for sexual desire to fluctuate, if your sex drive is unusually low or is causing problems in your relationship, it may be time to seek professional help.
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