Gladys Castillano

Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women: Causes and Treatment

Has your sex drive gone south? Or does sex feel like nothing anymore? If so, you’re not alone. Approximately 43 percent of women and 31 percent of men report some degree of sexual dysfunction.

Sexual dysfunction is a problem that occurs in any of the phases of your sexual response cycle:  excitement, plateau, orgasm, or resolution. Sexual dysfunction can be classified as:

  • Desired disorder – Lack of interest in sex
  • Arousal disorders –Inability to become excited or fully aroused during sex
  • Orgasm disorders – Absence or delay in reaching climax or orgasm
  • Pain disorders – Pain during sexual intercourse

In this blog, we’ll talk about the common types of sexual dysfunction in men and women as well as their causes and treatment.

Common Types of Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women

Sexual dysfunction can occur at any stage of life and can wreak havoc. In men, sexual dysfunction can come in a number of forms, such as:

  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Premature ejaculation
  • Retrograde ejaculation (dry orgasm)
  • Low libido

In women, sexual dysfunction manifests as:

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Inability to achieve orgasm
  • Difficulty getting aroused
  • Lack of sexual desire

Causes of Sexual Dysfunction

Many physical, psychological, and social factors can affect a person’s sexual function.

Common causes of sexual dysfunction in men include the following:

  • Alcoholism
  • Depression
  • Drug abuse
  • Health problems (e.g., atherosclerosis, hypertension, stroke, or nerve damage from diabetes or surgery)
  • Low testosterone level
  • Smoking
  • Use of prescription drugs (e.g., antihypertensive drugs, antidepressants, and antihistamines)
  • Work-related anxiety and stress

Common causes of sexual dysfunction in women include the following:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • History of sexual abuse
  • Low hormone levels after menopause and after delivery
  • Medical conditions (e.g., cancer, multiple sclerosis, kidney failure, bladder problems, and heart disease)
  • Prescription drug use
  • Thinning of the vaginal lining and decreased elasticity of vaginal walls, particular in sexually inactive females

Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction can be managed or even reversed if the underlying cause is addressed. If sexual dysfunction is caused by a psychological factor, talk therapy, behavior modification, and other related strategies may help.

For sexual dysfunction due to physical causes, healthcare providers often recommend the following:

  • Medications– (e.g., medication for erectile dysfunction)
  • Hormone therapy
  • Mechanical aids –(e.g., penile implants and penile constriction rings)
  • Penile injection therapy

Sexual Dysfunction Treatment in Wellington, FL

Sexual health is a crucial aspect of your health and well-being, so don’t put it on the back burner. If sexual dysfunction has gotten in the way of your relationship and well-being, turn to one of our board-certified primary care providers here at Advanced Medical Clinic.

We will thoroughly assess your problem and find the solution that will effectively boost your libido and restore your overall sexual function.

To book a consultation with our providers, call us today at (561) 434-1935 or fill out our easy-to-use appointment request form right here on our website. We look forward to helping you rekindle your sex life!

 

Why Do You Need to Have a Family Medicine Provider?

It would help if you saw a specialist when an issue particular to your body’s organ or system arises. However, what about the times when you aren’t aware of what’s going on with your body that’s causing your symptoms; you want to take care of the overall health of not only yourself but also your family; you need advice specific to your situation? A family medicine provider is a medical professional who can be an answer for most such healthcare situations for you and your family. A family medicine provider is trained to provide all sorts of care to patients of all ages for long-term – medical emergencies are an exception.

So, there is no reason not to have a family medicine provider caring for you (even if you don’t have a family), but there are many reasons why you should have one. Let’s talk about those reasons.

Reason #1 All Primary Care Needs of You and Your Family Can Be Addressed Under One Roof

As a primary care provider, a family provider can offer primary health care – providing treatment for common health complaints, the management of long-term illnesses such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes, and prevention of future illnesses through advice, screening programs, and immunization – to people of all ages. A family medicine provider can also perform minor surgical procedures such as draining abscesses.

Since they master specific skill sets such as women’s health, geriatrics, obstetrics, and more, during their training, their office is the first stop of patients of all ages – from newborns to senior citizens – for primary health care needs. They also keep track of your family life cycle to provide you with comprehensive care.

Reason #2 You Can Connect with Specialists Timely and Easily

Your family medicine provider can indeed do a lot for you, but they can’t do everything, especially if your problem is related to a particular body system or organ, let’s say the heart. Only a specialist of an organ or system can treat such problems. Finding a trustworthy specialist within your budget and reliable can be stressful for you and your family.

Having a family medicine provider means your problem will be detected early, and you don’t have to be worried about finding a specialist. Family medicine providers are likely to have a relationship with many specialists and can refer you to the one you can be comfortable with. Moreover, they can also help you set an appointment with your new family medicine provider without wasting much time.

Reason #3 You Can Get Better Health and Save Money at The Same Time

There’s no secret that healthcare can be pretty expensive, as is evident from the fact that even a short trip to the emergency room can cost you and your family a great deal of money. However, there is ample evidence that having a family medicine provider can significantly reduce healthcare spending.

A family medicine provider does so(reduce your healthcare spending)by keeping track of your health and preventing serious issues from developing, which could otherwise make you spend an extreme amount at the hospital or emergency room.

Family Medicine Provider Near Me in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

At Advanced Medical Clinic, our nurse practitioner Shariffa Gunawardene provides comprehensive, evidence-based, and personalized care that you need to return your family to health and keep you well. Because of her comprehensive and compassionate care, you or your family members with acute or chronic illnesses can live healthier lives. To make an accurate diagnosis, we also offer on-site conveniences, including pulmonary function tests, EKG, echocardiography, and blood draw.

If you have a question about our services or would like to schedule an appointment with our providers, call our staff today at  (561) 434-1935 or complete our secure online appointment request form now. We look forward to serving you!

Symptoms of Heart Disease in Your Blood Vessels

Heart disease is an umbrella term for many heart conditions that affect the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD), which impedes blood flow to the heart. Certain people are at higher risk of heart disease. People who are sedentary, overweight or obese, smoke or drink excessively, have an unhealthy diet, or have diabetes can suffer from heart disease.

Many people may not have symptoms of heart disease until they suffer a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. However, for some, it can present symptoms. Let’s discuss the symptoms of heart disease in your blood vessels.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Heart disease symptoms usually occur when something happens in the arteries. Coronary heart disease can cause plaque – fat and cholesterol deposits – to build up in the walls of the arteries, the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the heart. The buildup of plaque causes a narrowing of an artery, which can partially or completely block the blood flow to the heart, also referred to as atherosclerosis.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis include:

  • Chest pain or angina (even while at rest)
  • Fatigue
  • Feeling hot and clammy (even at comfortable temperatures)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain in the arms or legs. There are arteries in the arms and legs, and if plaque builds up in them, it causes peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which can cause leg pain, cramping, or numbness.
  • Unexplained stomach pain.

Heart disease symptoms are not always severe. If you experience these symptoms, no matter how mild, seek medical care. These are not to be taken lightly, as they could lead to fatal outcomes.

What To Do About Heart Disease

Heart disease requires life-long management to improve quality of life and reduce the risk of mortality. Medicine to reduce cholesterol levels helps prevent the buildup of plaque in the arteries. Lifestyle changes, which involve eating a high-fiber, low-fat diet, cutting down on smoking and drinking, and exercising regularly may also help.

Heart disease patients need support from a primary care provider, who can order some tests to evaluate their heart function and monitor their weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. A primary care provider is experienced in disease management and can design a treatment plan that can help with maintaining a normal weight, as well as controlling your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. In severe cases, primary care providers can perform surgery to remove plaque or create a detour around a clogged artery.

Heart Disease Treatment in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, FL

For individualized treatment from a primary care provider, choose Advanced Medical. Dr. Ishan Gunawardene is a board-certified internal medicine provider trained in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of medical conditions that affect adults, including heart disease. Dr. Gunawardene will help get your heart condition under control and reduce your risk of complications.

Dr. Gunawardene uses a compassionate approach to each patient. He will oversee your care from diagnosis to recovery and long-term maintenance. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gunawardene, call our clinic today at (561) 434-1935 or use our online request form.