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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!

 

What Is Sexual Dysfunction?

According to the World Health Organization, sexual health is defined as “a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality.” Sexual dysfunction occurs when any of these areas is negatively affected, thereby making it difficult to have sexual intercourse.

This type of dysfunction refers to sexual disorders that include loss of libido (sex drive), impotence in men, and the inability to have an orgasm. Sexual dysfunction can be attributed to either physical or psychological concerns, and one can even negatively impact the other. For instance, stress that leads to anxiety may inhibit sexual function, and medicine taken for the stress might also affect sexual performance.

Let’s talk about the different tendencies of sexual dysfunction in men and women:

How Sexual Function Is Different for Men and Women

Women might experience sexual dysfunction with the onslaught of menopause or during or following pregnancy. This is due to shifting hormones that cause physical changes within a woman’s body.

Sexual dysfunction can be brought on in men with the introduction of an illness, such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes. It also tends to happen in men due to work-related stress.

It is estimated that up to 52% of men experience sexual dysfunction, whereas that figure increases to 63% of women. Sexual dysfunction is therefore quite common; fortunately, it is also treatable. Don’t be embarrassed to speak with your family medicine provider regarding sexual dysfunction.

Sexual Dysfunction for Women

Painful intercourse is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions that women experience. The pain can be attributed to a number of factors, such as endometriosis, an ovarian cyst, or a lack of lubrication. Pain during sex may also be attributed to sexual phobias, scar tissue that has formed following surgery, or a sexually transmitted disease.

Inability to orgasm, or the inability to reach sexual climax, is a dysfunction that women tend to experience more often than men do. Women who are taking certain medications may experience this type of dysfunction. Also, women who have experienced sexual abuse may not be able to reach climax due to the resulting psychological issues.

Sexual Dysfunction for Men

Premature ejaculation occurs when a man ejaculates too quickly following penetration. It is the number one form of sexual dysfunction that men experience. Medications can cause premature ejaculation, but there is no clear cause that has been identified. Men can also experience an ejaculation that is too slow, which is referred to as inhibited or retarded ejaculation.

Retrograde ejaculation refers to ejaculation that goes into the bladder rather than out of the body. Retrograde ejaculation is a sexual dysfunction that is more likely to occur in men who have diabetes.

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also recognized as impotence, is when a man cannot maintain an erection to penetrate for intercourse. Certain conditions contribute to ED, such as lack of blood flow – and various medical conditions and medications can inhibit circulation and thereby cause erectile dysfunction.

Comprehensive Medical Family Medicine Provider in Wellington

If you have a sexual dysfunction and you would like to receive a confidential evaluation and treatment, call our team at Advanced Medical Clinic for a consultation. Your sexual health is important, and you shouldn’t be embarrassed to address these issues with a trusted family medicine provider who can help you.

You may book an appointment with us by calling (561) 434-1935 or fill out our easy-to-use appointment request form online. We look forward to seeing you here.

Causes of Unexplained Weight Loss

If you’re overweight, the first sign of unexplained weight loss might be somewhat welcome. Chalk it up to any number of rational explanations, but when the weight continues to fall off without dieting or making an effort, you realize it’s time to be concerned.

Unexplained weight loss is never a good sign. While someone might be losing weight without trying – the cause could be depression, stress or even a tapeworm – the cause can be fairly easily determined with some simple medical detective work.

However, what if you are still unsure why you are losing weight? What if you continue to eat healthily, and even are adding calories to your diet? Unexplained weight loss – cachexia – is a symptom of chronic conditions, and unexplained weight and muscle loss are symptoms. The causes of cachexia vary and most often are an indication that something’s wrong, such as a chronic illness. So then, what are some causes of unexplained weight loss, or cachexia?

Causes of Unexplained Weight Loss

Perhaps cachexia is better defined as a condition of a condition. Losing weight without diet or exercise could be related to diabetes, cancer, HIV or any number of chronic diseases. Even as a person continues to eat, weight continues to fall off.

The primary difference between cachexia and other conditions that cause weight loss is that people with cachexia lose weight no matter what. Eating makes no difference. Additionally, muscle is always lost with cachexia.

Who’s at Risk?

Cachexia rears its ugly head following the onslaught of disease, in a which comes first, the chicken or the egg type of phenomena. Cachexia is a devastating symptom of multiple diseases, some of which include:

  • Cancer
  • AIDS
  • Heart Failure
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Renal failure
  • Celiac disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – COPD

Cachexia can accompany any of the chronic diseases listed above and many more. However, if you have cancer, for instance, it isn’t a guarantee that you’ll also suffer from cachexia and the weight or muscle loss that accompanies it.

  • If you are experiencing unexplained weight loss, speak to your family medicine provider to determine the cause.  Your family medicine provider will use the following factors to determine if your weight loss is due to cachexia or explained otherwise. You will be diagnosed with cachexia when the following are present:
    An intentional or unexplained lose more than 5% of your body weight.
  • Less than 10% of your body is body fat.
  • You’re less than 65 years of age with a Body Mass Index (BMI) that is less than 20, or, you’re older than 65 years of age and your BMI is less than 22.
  • Albumin levels are off. Albumin is produced in the liver and regulates fluid level. An albumin level that is less than 35 grams per liter could be a sign of cachexia. Swelling in different parts of the body can occur.
  • Increased cytokines in the bloodstream is an indication that the body is experiencing inflammation. High levels of cytokines will cause a reaction that will break down muscle.

There are treatments available to people suffering from cachexia. Your family medicine provider will map out the best course of action for you, which could include growth hormones or medications that stimulate appetite. However, cachexia is rarely prevented or reversed by taking only dietary measures. Seek medical attention at the first sign of unexplained weight loss.

For partners in lifelong health and wellness, call Advanced Medical in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach at (561) 434-1935 or use our convenient appointment request form.