Female Sexual Dysfunction

            I used to hear the term sexual dysfunction, and automatically thought of erectile dysfunction in men and pharmaceutical wonders such as Viagra. After reading our textbooks, I became aware of so many other sexual dysfunctions and became interested in the lack of knowledge I had on female sexual dysfunctions. So after seeing the relatively new commercial on the drug Osphena, I wanted to learn a bit more on how women can be affected sexually from aging. 

            Osphena is an oral medication, which helps in the relief of painful sex for women who are postmenopausal. I was delighted to see a commercial of older females who are positively depicted sexually. We often see commercials for drugs helping the sexual dysfunctions of men like Viagra and Cialis, yet their hasn’t been much information in the media regarding sexual problems with women.

            Erectile dysfunction is widely discussed and is an obvious physical indicator of a potential problem.  Many of us probably know that ED is lacking the ability to have, or sustain an erection. But what about women and the sexual problems they too face with aging? Hormones are the driving force for women and their sexual lives. When a woman menopause, the hormone estrogen decreases significantly and that in turn causes physical changes to the vagina. Lack of lubrication and tissue changes in the vagina can cause penetration to be painful and uncomfortable. There is such a huge debate on whether or not a woman can be truly diagnosed as having a sexual dysfunction. Outlines on what qualifies as a dysfunction in women are constantly being changed and challenged.

            I was surprised after reading the article on female sexual dysfunction according to the Harvard Health Publications website. There is not an overall consensus of what constitutes a true dysfunction in women sexually. If men can experience changes to their bodies sexually from aging, shouldn’t the physical changes in women be equally studied and recognized? The only agreeable factor in diagnosing female sexual dysfunction is that the sexual problem addressed must cause considerable stress to the woman.

            I’m not sure if sex and our bodies are widely discussed with our health care professionals. Some questions and concerns can be embarrassing for people to openly discuss. The Opshena website encourages open communication with our health providers and to speak up if intercourse is painful. From reading our textbooks and seeing the stigma against aging people and sex, I think this great step in the direction of positive thinking about sex and the aging population. This new drug shows that the health and satisfaction of women in their sexual lives are being recognized.

References:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/what_is_female_sexual_dysfunction.htm

http://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/sexual-problems-at-            midlife/decreased-desire

http://www.osphena.com/vagina-due-to-menopause