Sexual Problems in Women
Symptoms
Symptoms of sexual problems can include:
- A decrease in the level of desire, which might be expressed by fewer sexual fantasies or thoughts and a reluctance to engage in sexual activity.
- A decrease in the level of arousal. A woman may notice that she feels unreceptive to sexual suggestions and is not able to feel or maintain sexual excitement.
- An inability to reach orgasm after sexual stimulation. (For most women, the clitoris is the main site of orgasm. Not all women have vaginal orgasms.)
- Pain during intercourse.
By definition, sexual problems are symptoms that are distressing for you and/or your relationship with a partner. If you have a symptom that you are not troubled by and that isn't causing a relationship problem, then it is not considered to be a sexual problem.
Most women have a sexual problem at one time or another. For some women, the problem is long-term. Surveys of the general population in the United States found that many women occasionally have sexual problems and worries, including:2
- Concerns about sexuality (6 out of 10 women).
- Lack of interest in sex (3 out of 10 women).
- Sex not always being pleasurable (2 out of 10 women).
- Pain with intercourse (1 to 2 out of 10 women).
- Difficulty becoming aroused (5 out of 10 women).
- Difficulty reaching orgasm (5 out of 10 women).
- Not being able to have an orgasm (2 to 3 out of 10 women).
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| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: March 11, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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