Women’s Sexual Health

Scroll below for some of the Women’s Sexual Health Services provided to our patients. To book an appointment to see female doctor and gynecologist Dr. Kashyap about a Sexual Health issue, please call our office at 702-983-2010 or click on a Book Appointment link.

What causes sexual problems in women?

Some common causes of sexual problems in women include the following:

• Aging—A woman’s libido (another term for interest in and desire for sex) and sexual activity sometimes decrease with age. This decrease is normal and usually is not a cause for concern, but problems can arise if one partner in a relationship desires sex more often than the other.
• Hormonal changes—Changes in hormones at certain times of a woman’s life may cause changes in her interest in or response to sex. For example, decreased estrogen levels (such as during perimenopause and menopause) may cause vaginal dryness and lead to pain during intercourse.
• Stress and anxiety
• Relationship problems
• Illness, including depression
• Past negative sexual experiences

What are the types of sexual problems that affect women?

“Female sexual dysfunction” is a general term for a problem with interest in or response to sex. Sexual problems fall into four groups, which often overlap:

1. Desire problems
2. Arousal problems
3. Orgasmic problems
4. Sexual pain disorder

Source: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Low Libido / Desire

What are desire problems?

Lack of desire is the most common sexual concern reported by women. A lack of desire before having sex is normal for some women. They may not feel that they want to have sex until they begin to engage in sexual activity and become aroused. A lack of desire is considered a disorder when a woman:

• does not want to engage in any type of sexual activity, including masturbation
• does not have (or has very few) sexual thoughts or fantasies
• is worried or concerned about these issues

What can I do to enhance desire?

There are few FDA approved medications available. What you can do is:

• Address and work toward resolving relationship concerns, stresses, and misunderstandings about sex as well as other issues that may be affecting you and your partner.
• Focus less on intercourse and more on intimacy.
• Improve your sex knowledge and skills.
• Make time for sexual activity and focus on enjoyment and pleasuring each other.
• Hormonal Pellet Therapy

Source: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Inability to Climax

What are orgasmic problems?

Not having an orgasm during sexual activity may not be a problem. Sharing love and closeness without having an orgasm is satisfying for many women. Other women may feel that not having an orgasm is a problem. They may want to find a solution.

Women with orgasmic disorders may never have had an orgasm from sexual encounters, or they may have had orgasms at one time but no longer have them, despite healthy arousal. The intensity of orgasm may have decreased, which can occur with age.

Orgasmic disorder may be caused by a poor body image or a fear of losing control. It also may occur when a woman does not trust her partner. It is common for women who do not have orgasms to have arousal problems.

What can help me have an orgasm?

• Increase sexual stimulation.
• Try sexual toys.
• Use mental imagery and fantasy.
• AY Shot
• Vaginal Rejuvenation

Source: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Painful Sex

How common is painful sex?

Pain during sexual intercourse is very common—nearly 3 out of 4 women have pain during intercourse at some time during their lives. For some women, the pain is only a temporary problem; for others, it is a long-term problem.

What causes pain during sex?

Pain during sex may be a sign of a gynecologic problem, such as ovarian cysts or endometriosis.

Pain during sex also may be caused by problems with sexual response, such as a lack of desire (the feeling of wanting to have sex) or a lack of arousal (the physical and emotional changes that occur in the body as a result of sexual stimulation).

Where is pain during sex felt?

You may feel pain in your vulva, in the area surrounding the opening of your vagina (called the vestibule), or within your vagina. The perineum is a common site of pain during sex. You also may feel pain in your lower back, pelvic region, uterus, or bladder.

What causes sexual response problems?

The following reasons are among the most common:

• Your state of mind—Emotions such as fear, guilt, shame, embarrassment, or awkwardness about having sex may make it hard to relax. When you cannot relax, arousal is difficult, and pain may result. Stress and fatigue can affect your desire to have sex.
• Relationship problems—Problems with your partner may interfere with your sexual response. A common relationship issue is a mismatch between partners in their level of desire for sex.
• Medications—Many medications can reduce sexual desire, including some birth control methods. Many pain medications also can reduce sexual desire.
• Medical and surgical conditions—Some medical conditions can indirectly affect sexual response. These conditions include arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and thyroid conditions. Some women who have had surgery find that it affects their body image, which may decrease their desire for sex.
• Your partner—If your partner has a sexual problem, it can make you anxious about sex. If your partner is taking a drug for erectile dysfunction, he may have delayed orgasm, which can lead to long, painful intercourse.

What kinds of gynecologic conditions can cause pain during sex?

Pain during sexual intercourse can be a warning sign of many gynecologic conditions. Some of these conditions can lead to other problems if not treated:

• Skin disorders—Some skin disorders may result in ulcers or cracks in the skin of the vulva. Contact dermatitis is a common skin disorder that affects the vulva. It is a reaction to an irritating substance, such as perfumed soaps, douches, or lubricants. It may cause itching, burning, and pain. Treatment of skin disorders depends on the type of disorder.
• Vulvodynia—This is a pain disorder that affects the vulva. When pain is confined to the vestibule (the area around the opening of the vagina), it is known as vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS). There are many treatments available for vulvodynia, including self-care measures. Medication or surgery may be needed in some cases. For more information about this condition.
• Hormonal changes—During perimenopause and menopause, decreasing levels of the female hormone estrogen may cause vaginal dryness. Hormone therapy is one treatment option. Using a lubricant during sex or a vaginal moisturizer also may be helpful.
• Vaginitis—Vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina, can be caused by a yeast or bacterial infection. Symptoms are discharge and itching and burning of the vagina and vulva. Vaginitis can be treated with medication.
• Vaginismus—Vaginismus is a reflex contraction (tightening) of the muscles at the opening of your vagina. Vaginismus may cause pain when you try to have sexual intercourse. Vaginismus can be treated with different forms of therapy.
• Childbirth—Women who have had an episiotomy or tears in the perineum during childbirth may have pain during sex that may last for several months. Treatments include physical therapy, medications, or surgery.
• Other causes—Pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, and adhesions are all associated with pain during sex.

Are there things a woman can do on her own to help with pain during sex?

If you have pain during sex, see an ob-gyn or other health care professional. There also are some self-help measures you can try to relieve pain during sex:

• Use a lubricant. Water-soluble lubricants are a good choice if you experience vaginal irritation or sensitivity. Silicone-based lubricants last longer and tend to be more slippery than water-soluble lubricants. Do not use petroleum jelly, baby oil, or mineral oil with condoms. They can dissolve the latex and cause the condom to break.
• Make time for sex. Set aside a time when neither you nor your partner is tired or anxious.
• Talk to your partner. Tell your partner where and when you feel pain, as well as what activities you find pleasurable.
• Try sexual activities that do not cause pain. For example, if intercourse is painful, you and your partner may want to focus on oral sex or mutual masturbation.
• Try nonsexual, but sensual, activities like massage.
  Take pain-relieving steps before sex: empty your bladder, take a warm bath, or take an over-the-counter pain reliever before intercourse.
• To relieve burning after intercourse, apply ice or a frozen gel pack wrapped in a small towel to the vulva.

Source: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Vaginal Dryness

What is vaginal dryness or atrophic vaginitis?

Atrophic vaginitis is not caused by an infection but can cause vaginal discharge and irritation, such as dryness, itching, and burning.

This condition may occur any time when female hormone levels are low, such as during breastfeeding and after menopause.

Atrophic vaginitis is treated with estrogen, which can be applied as a vaginal cream, ring, or tablet.

A water-soluble lubricant also may be helpful during intercourse.

Can vaginal moisturizers and lubricants help with vaginal dryness?

These over-the-counter products can be used to help with vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse. They do not contain hormones, so they do not have an effect on the vagina’s thickness or elasticity.

Vaginal moisturizers can be used every 2–3 days as needed. Lubricants can be used each time you have sexual intercourse.

Source: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Sexually Transmitted Infections

STIs can cause severe damage to your body—even death. Except for colds and flu, STIs are the most common contagious (easily spread) infections in the United States, with millions of new cases each year.

Although some STIs can be treated and cured, others cannot.

How are STIs transmitted?

A person with an STI can pass it to others by contact with skin, genitals, mouth, rectum, or body fluids. Anyone who has sexual contact—vaginal, anal, or oral sex—with another person may get an STI. STIs may not cause symptoms. Even if there are no symptoms, your health can be affected.

What causes STIs?

STIs are caused by bacterial or viral infections. STIs caused by bacteria are treated with antibiotics. Those caused by viruses cannot be cured, but symptoms can be treated.