Treatment and Prevention
The first step in managing female sexual dysfunction is to see a health care provider for assessment and appropriate treatment.
Physical disorders should be treated. For sexual dysfunction associated with aging and dryness of the vagina, vaginal moisturizers or estrogen treatment (such as a vaginal cream, vaginal ring, or low-dose tablet taken by mouth) can be effective.
When psychological factors are foremost, counseling from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or sex therapist may help to remove or reduce the causes. Psychotherapy may be more useful if there has been some trauma in a woman's background, or problems that stem from stress or relationships. Therapy that includes a sexual partner is more helpful in increasing the chance of learning to experience orgasm.
To both treat and prevent sexual dysfunction, women should understand how their sex organs work and how they can respond. The vagina is like a muscle and with inactivity becomes harder to use. Activities like masturbation and Kegel exercises can increase the blood flow to the vaginal area, making sex more comfortable. Kegel exercises can make pelvic floor muscles stronger and help women reach orgasm more easily. This is a technique that women of every age can use to enhance sexual pleasure.
To do Kegel exercises, tighten your pelvic floor muscles (these are the same muscles you use to stop the flow of urine when you're going to the bathroom) for 3 seconds, relax for 3 seconds, and repeat 10 times. Gradually increase the time until you are tightening the muscles for 10 seconds and relaxing for 10 seconds.
Melanie N. Smith, MD, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.