4- Sexual Dysfunction
4- Sexual Dysfunction
Sexual disorders are conditions that interfere with normal sexual activity, and both men and women can develop these disorders
Important information about sexual disorders
Important information about sexual disorders includes the following
Sexual disorders are relatively common, with 40% of women and 30% of men experiencing some level of sexual disorders
This dysfunction can occur at any age, but most often occurs between the ages of 40 and 65 years
Sexual disorders are one of the problems that cause psychological stress and affect the marital relationship
It was found that more than half of the men over the age of forty who did not have any type of disease, had experienced some type of sexual disorder
It was found that the percentage of those who suffer from disorders in sexual functions is much more, due to infection with some diseases and taking some medications
Most people are concerned about talking to a doctor about sexual disorders, but it is important to consult a doctor to receive appropriate treatment for the condition, as most cases of sexual disorders can improve or fully recover
Types of sexual disorders
There are several types of sexual disorders, including the following
Sexual desire disorders
This type of disorder is associated with a decrease in interest in the opposite sex and a decrease in sexual desire, due to low levels of sex hormones, which include estrogen and testosterone, in addition to the incidence of some diseases, such as: diabetes and heart disease
These disorders may also be caused by problems in marital relationships, persistent anxiety and depression
sexual arousal disorders
These disorders occur when there is sexual desire but is accompanied by difficulty in arousing the sexual organs, and this problem can occur in both men and women, and the most common type of it is erectile dysfunction
Orgasmic disorders
Orgasmic disorders occur more often in women and may also occur in men, and are when an orgasm or orgasm occurs, and this is due to many factors such as pain and stress during sexual activity, hormonal changes, and decreased sexual desire
pain disorders
Sometimes pain during intercourse may occur in both men and women, and this pain may occur for several reasons, such as the following
Vaginal dryness
Vaginal muscle spasm
Urinary tract infections
Hormonal changes during menopause
Peyronie’s disease, which is damage to the penis
Prostate infections
Fungal or viral infection
Symptoms of sexual disorders
Symptoms of sexual disorders vary depending on the type of sexual disorder and its cause, and the symptoms can be divided as follows
Symptoms for both men and women
It includes the following
Decreased sexual desire
Difficulty being aroused
Pain during intercourse
Special symptoms for men
It includes the following
Inability to get an erection
Inability to maintain an erection long enough
Premature or decreased ejaculation
Special symptoms for women
It includes the following
Inability to achieve orgasm
Vaginal dryness
dyspareunia
Pain during intercourse due to spasm of the vaginal muscles or vulvovaginitis
Causes and risk factors for sexual disorders
The following causes and risk factors for sexual disorders, as follows
Causes of sexual disorders
There are many reasons that can lead to the occurrence of sexual disorders, and they can be divided as follows
physical causes
There are many physical causes that can cause sexual disorders, including the following
Common diseases such as: diabetes, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis
recurrent urinary tract infection
Some medications used to treat these diseases are beta-blockers (B-blockers), lipid-lowering drugs, some stomach acid-reducing medications, and chemotherapy and hormonal therapies
Nerve problems, such as: herniated disc (Spondylolisthesis), or after a pelvic surgery or x-ray
Depression and fear are one of the important causes of decreased libido and sexual performance
Heart disease and some methods used in its treatment
Metabolic syndrome, a condition that includes high blood pressure, high insulin levels, fat accumulation in the waist area, and high cholesterol
Smoking, and heavy drinking
Some neurological disorders, such as: multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease
Low levels of sex hormones in the body
psychological reasons
There are many psychological causes that lead to sexual disorders, such as the following
Stress
Anxiety about sexual performance
feeling guilty
Depression, stress and anxiety
Body dissatisfaction
Previous sexual trauma resulting from exposure to rape and harassment
Negative sexual experience
Risk factors for sexual disorders
Risk factors for sexual disorders include
aging
Smoking: Smoking causes a decrease in blood flow to the veins and arteries in the area, thus increasing the possibility of sexual disorders
Obesity and overweight
Long-term drug and alcohol use
Some medical treatments, such as: prostate surgery and radiation therapy for cancer
Complications of sexual disorders
Risk complications that can result from erectile dysfunction include
Problems in the marital relationship
Constant stress and anxiety
Depression and low self-esteem
Inability to conceive
Diagnosis of sexual disorders
Important notes regarding the diagnosis of sexual disorders include the following
A medical examination and questions from the doctor are sufficient to diagnose the condition
In some cases where sexual disorders are associated with some underlying pathological conditions, some tests may be needed. These tests include the following
Physical examination: This includes a thorough examination of the genitals, and a nerve examination to ensure sensation in the area
Blood tests: where a sample of blood is examined to detect any underlying diseases, such as: heart disease, diabetes, and low sex hormones
Urine tests: Urine tests can also detect underlying diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes
Ultrasound examination: An ultrasound examination can detect any disturbances in the blood flow to the genitals
Psychological examination: Psychological examination helps to reveal the causes that can lead to sexual disorder, such as depression and previous psychological trauma
Treating sexual disorders
Sexual disorders can be treated by treating the underlying problem or disorder causing the disease. Treatment may include the following
pharmaceutical
Among the important notes regarding drugs that are used to treat sexual disorders are the following
Some hormonal treatments can be taken if the disorder causes an imbalance in the hormonal balance in the body
Some medications that increase blood flow to the penis can be used, such as: sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil
There are some side effects of this group of medicines, such as: redness in the face, low blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea
These medications enhance the action of nitric oxide, which relaxes the muscles of the penis and thus increases blood flow to the area
Some medications may be used for women who suffer from vaginal muscle spasms
self-injection
Alprostadil self-injects into the base or one side of the penis, and each dose is fixed so that the erection does not last for more than an hour
The erection begins within 10 minutes and lasts from 30 to 60 minutes, and these injections may cause some side effects, a feeling of burning, and slight bleeding in the urethra
Other treatments
Several other treatments may be recommended if different medications do not respond, such as the following
Penis pumps
A penis pump is one of the devices that helps the penis get an erection, as it is placed on the penis, then air is drawn through the pump, as this stimulates blood flow and the occurrence of an erection, and then a tightening ring is placed around the penis to prevent blood from going back
Penile implants
Implants are used in the latter cases that are difficult to treat, as some materials are implanted on both sides of the penis, which help control the time and duration of erection, in addition to maintaining the erection for a sufficient period
psychological counseling
If the cause of sexual disorders is caused by depression or anxiety, it is recommended to visit a psychiatrist accompanied by the wife to discuss the situation
alternative medicine
Alternative medicine can be resorted to through the use of some nutritional supplements that are believed to treat sexual disorders, but it is important to consult a doctor before using them, as they can cause some unpleasant side effects, especially if the patient suffers from other underlying diseases
Prevention of sexual disorders
It is not possible to prevent some types of sexual disorders, but some practices may help prevent diseases that can cause functional impairment, such as the following
See your doctor for regular medical tests and checkups
Treating chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, stress and various heart diseases
Stop consuming alcohol and smoking, and avoid taking narcotic drugs
Exercising regularly
Reduce anxiety and stress as much as possible
Consult your doctor in case you are taking some types of medications that cause sexual weakness or disorder, and see if it is possible to switch to another treatment with fewer side effects
Obtaining medical help in case of depression and some other mental illnesses