Virtual Medical Centre

Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD)

• What is Female Sexual Dysfunction?
• Statistics on Female Sexual Dysfunction
• Risk Factors for Female Sexual Dysfunction
• Progression of Female Sexual Dysfunction
• Symptoms of Female Sexual Dysfunction
• Clinical Examination of Female Sexual Dysfunction
• How is Female Sexual Dysfunction Diagnosed?
• Prognosis of Female Sexual Dysfunction
• How is Female Sexual Dysfunction Treated?
• Female Sexual Dysfunction References

What is Female Sexual Dysfunction?

The World Health Organisation defines female sexual dysfunction (FSD) as “the various ways in which an individual is unable to participate in a sexual relationship…she would wish.” FSD is classified into a range of disorders depending on the specific nature of the sexual difficulties a woman encounters. They are:

• Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: The persistent or recurrent lack of sexual fantasies, thoughts, desires and receptivity to sexual contact.
• Sexual aversion disorder: The persistent or recurrent fear and/or aversion of sexual contact.
• Sexual arousal disorder: The persistent or recurrent inability to become sexually aroused, often characterised by inadequate vaginal lubrication for penetration.
• Orgasmic disorder: The persistent or recurrent inability to orgasm.
• Dyspareunia: Pain during sexual intercourse.

Women suffering from FSD become anxious or distressed about being unable to engage in or experience sexual activity as they wish. However, other women may experience sexual difficulties (e.g. inability to orgasm) which do not cause them distress. These women do not have FSD.  Amongst women with FSD, hypoactive sexual desire and orgasmic disorders are the most commonly reported.

There are many physical causes of FSD and these are mainly related to hormone levels and changes. However, FSD is most commonly the result of psychological factors (e.g. relationship satisfaction, depression).  Even when FSD is the result of physical factors, psychological factors often contribute to the problem (e.g. women who have difficulty achieving adequate vaginal lubrication or find sex painful may become anxious about approaching sexual encounters, and find it even more difficult to lubricate).

Statistics on Female Sexual Dysfunction?

Research suggests that the majority of women experience sexual dysfunction at some point in their lives, and for many it is an ongoing or recurring issue. A large survey of Australian women reported that 70% had experienced sexual difficulties (including inability to orgasm and not feeling like sex) in the year before the survey. Women over 50 were most likely to experience sexual difficulties, although they were common in all age groups (over 60% of women aged over 50 reported lack of interest in sex, and more than half of women aged 16-49 also reported this difficulty).

Survivors of sexual assault often experience difficulties in future sexual relationships, which may bring back difficult memories of incidents of assault. Women who are pregnant, have recently given birth or are breastfeeding are more likely to experience sexual dysfunction than those who are not. Hormonal imbalances and psychological factors both play a role for these women. 

Women also often experience sexual dysfunction following menopause, which is mainly a result of hormonal imbalances.

Sexual dysfunction associated with cancer

Between 10 and 88% of patients diagnosed with cancer experience sexual problems following diagnosis and treatment. The prevalence varies according to the location and type of cancer, and the treatment modalities used. Sexuality may be affected by chemotherapy, alterations in body image due to weight change, hair loss or surgical disfigurement, hormonal changes, and cancer treatments that directly affect the pelvic region.

Sexual problems are reported in many patients with breast and gynaecological (e.g. cervical or vulval) cancer. They are also reported in patients with cancer that does not directly effect sexual organs, including lung cancer (48% of patients), Hodgkin's disease (50%), and laryngeal (60%) and head and neck cancers (39-74%). 

For more information, see Sexual Difficulties Associated with Cancer in Women.

Risk Factors for Female Sexual Dysfunction

While sexual dysfunction is wide spread in Australia, it is more common in particular groups of women.  Factors associated with sexual dysfunction in women include:

• History of sexual assault, rape or sexual coercion. This may be linked to post-traumatic stress disorder
• Pregnancy
• Childbirth in the past year
• Breastfeeding
• Menopause
• Urinary incontine
• Vaginal prolapse
• Coronary heart disease
• Hypertension, and hypertension medications
• Cancer
• Spinal cord injury
• Depression, and antidepressant medications
• Relationship problems
• Stress
• Fatigue
• Previous gynaecological surgery, including hysterectomy and vault prolapse surgery

It is uncertain how they influence sexual function, but you may also have an increased risk if FSD if you have:

• Previous posterior vaginal repair
• Diabetes mellitus
• Oral contraceptive use

Progression of Female Sexual Dysfunction

Hormonal changes, which are the most common physical cause of FSD, tend to occur during and after childbirth and following menopause. Certain medications (e.g. antidepressants, hypertension medication) can also alter hormone levels. FSD is more common in women who take these medications.

Unlike in men, sexual dysfunction in women is most commonly the result of psychological factors which can arise throughout life. There is an immense amount of pressure on women in their roles as employees, wives and mothers. This can lead to stress, anxiety and fatigue, which are all more common in women who suffer from FSD than in those who do not. Women who are not satisfied with their relationships more commonly report FSD, as do those who are depressed.

Symptoms of Female Sexual Dysfunction

FSD impacts on women’s sexual functioning and on their overall sense of wellbeing. It is associated with depression and relationship satisfaction. Although it is not clear whether FSD causes depression and relationship satisfaction or vice versa, it is likely that, at least in some cases, FSD leads to depression and dissatisfaction with relationships. If you suffer from FSD it is also likely to affect your sexual partner, so you may both want to talk to about professional.

The effects on the partner can have important implications. For example while studies are limited, it has been shown that female sexual function can be negatively impacted on by male sexual dysfunction. A study comparing the sexual function of women with partners with erectile dysfunction to those without showed that sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, pain and total score were significantly lower in those who had partners with erectile dysfunction. Later in that study, a large proportion of the men with erectile dysfunction underwent treatment. Following treatment, sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain were all significantly increased. It was concluded that female sexual function is impacted by male erection status, which may improve following treatment of male sexual dysfunction.

Clinical Examination of Female Sexual Dysfunction

Discussing sexual dysfunction with a health practitioner can be difficult, as sex is usually considered a private matter. Keep in mind that health practitioners are professionals and will treat your sexual disorders just like any other health condition. The questions they ask and the physical examinations they undertake are designed to help them diagnose and treat your condition, not to make judgments about your sexuality, so don’t be afraid to answer honestly and volunteer information you think is relevant.

The way in which a health practitioner will examine you depends on the type of sexual disorder you are suffering from. If you experience pain during sex, it is likely your practitioner will want to conduct a thorough genital examination. For other disorders, your physical state may be assessed through hormone tests only. This may involve taking blood or urine samples.

You will be asked in detail about the medications you currently take, your sexual history, and history of gynaecological surgery, illness and injury, neurological and cardiovascular disorders, depression and childbearing.  You will also be asked about the symptoms of sexual dysfunction you experience, how often and in which circumstances you experience them, and how these symptoms affect you.

How is Female Sexual Dysfunction Diagnosed?

A diagnosis will be reached based on a patient's reports of sexual difficulty and resulting distress. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire about sexual difficulties and how they affect you, or your doctor may make the diagnosis based on your answers to verbal questions. 

Once you have been diagnosed with FSD your doctor will probably want to do some tests to find out whether it is a hormone imbalance, psychological problem or something else causing the problem.

Prognosis of Female Sexual Dysfunction

FSD often goes away without treatment. Sexual disorders experienced by young women (e.g. inability to orgasm) often disappear as the women age and become more sexually experienced.

FSD associated with pregnancy and childbirth generally goes away as hormone levels rebalance and lifestyle factors causing stress and fatigue stabilise. 

Sometimes FSD requires professional treatment, particularly in postmenopausal women. As few women seek professional help for FSD, it is difficult to say what proportion of women can be successfully treated for the condition. Surgery, medicine and psychotherapy have all been successful in treating FSD.

How is Female Sexual Dysfunction Treated?

FSD can be treated through surgery, medication or counselling, depending on the type of disorder and its underlying cause. All treatment will include at least a bit of counselling and education. 

Surgical treatments

Women with urinary incontinence or genital abnormalities often report increased sexual functioning following surgery, even if the surgery may not be conducted specifically to treat FSD. 

Medical treatments

Hormone replacement therapy is the most common form of medical treatment for FSD. Systematic oestrogen and androgen therapy or a combined oestrogen-androgen therapy can reduce FSD in postmenopausal women.

Oestrogen can also be applied topically through vaginal lubricants. Topical oestrogen therapy is safe for postmenopausal women and those who are breastfeeding.

FSD may also be treated by changing antidepressants, antihypertensives, and other medications. 

Counselling

Sex counselling often involves sexual partners and emphasises open communication and relationship strengthening. It can be provided by a sex therapist or relationship counsellor. If past experiences (e.g. sexual assault) are the cause of FSD, individual treatment with a psychologist or sexual assault counsellor may be more appropriate.

Female Sexual Dysfunction References

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Symptoms of This Disease:

• Sexual Difficulties Associated with Cancer in Women
• Sex After Menopause

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Article Dates:

Created: 17/6/2004

Modified: 1/12/2009

Reviewed: 31/8/2008