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Beauty | Sex & Sexual Help | Fitness and Nutrition | Mental Health


			Sex - Loss of Libido Why discuss sex and sexuality? A satisfying sex life is part of feeling fulfilled as a woman. But many times, health or emotional issues can detract from or inhibit sex. Openly discussing these issues will help you move toward the kind of sex life you need and want. I’m just not into it – what’s wrong with me? A lack of interest in sex is called hypoactive sexual desire, sexual apathy, sexual aversion, and loss of libido. It is a lack of interest or aversion to sex that may be attached to a specific person, or to sex in general. In extreme cases, women may find sex repulsive or disgusting. What is causing my lack of interest in sex? Inhibited sexual desire can be caused by any number of things, but it is usually based on relationship problems. Emotional distance from your partner, a lack of affection, or even not having time alone together can lead to a loss of libido (desire for and or enjoyment of sexual activity). Simply dealing with the stresses and demands of everyday life can create a lack of desire. A severe aversion to sex can stem from a trauma, such as abuse or rape. Physical causes of inhibited sexual desire can be hormonal imbalances, insomnia, fatigue, depression, or excessive stress. What can I do to take control of my sex life? First, speak to your doctor about what’s happening. He or she will help you rule out any possible physical causes of your loss of libido. You may also discuss how certain medications or illnesses could reduce your interest in sex. Your doctor may test your testosterone level, a rare cause of inhibited sexual desire. You may be referred to a family or marriage counselor, who will help you work on your relationship. Many times improving communication can help enhance your sex life. Counseling can help you learn to relax, understand your own feelings about sex, and discover what pleases you. What other resources are available? There are many good books available in improving your sex life. Online, you can learn more through these articles: FamilyDoctor.org American Academy of Family Physicians Sex - Pain During Intercourse Why does it hurt when I have sex? Painful intercourse is also known as dyspareunia. The pain may occur during entry into the vagina, during deep thrusting, or after intercourse. The pain can be on the surface or deep, along the middle of the pelvis or on one or both sides. There are several causes for dyspareunia, or painful intercourse. One of the most common causes is a lack of lubrication, which can be a result of medication, illness, lack of arousal, lack of estrogen, infection, cysts or tumors, or endometriosis. Yeast infections, trichomonas vaginitis, and bacterial vaginosis associated with vaginal inflammation may also cause pain during intercourse. Certain douches, spermicides, and condoms have agents that are irritating and can cause inflammation and make sex painful. Vaginismus, a spasm of pubic muscles and lower vagina, can cause pain during intercourse. Vaginismus may be present only during intercourse and in some women the pain may be so great that they cannot even have a gynecologic exam. Medical causes of vaginismus include scars from vaginal injury, childbirth, surgery, or pelvic infections. Women who experience pain on deep penetration during intercourse may have a pelvic infection, pelvic mass, endometriosis, or bowel problems. If you have pain with deep penetration you should see your physician for further evaluation. How is it treated? The first place to start is with your medical provider. Discuss your situation, to uncover any physical reasons for painful intercourse. If the cause is a lack of lubrication, longer foreplay or a lubricating jelly are simple ways to increase lubrication. Sometimes, psychological factors can contribute to painful sex. Speak to your doctor about possible counseling to get to the root of the problem. Sex After Baby How soon can my husband and I have sex after the baby is born? It is recommended that you wait six weeks before resuming intercourse. Six weeks? Why? During delivery, many of your vaginal tissues are stretched and often torn. Your cervix dilates and often undergoes a certain amount of trauma. It takes approximately 6 weeks for your uterus, cervix, and vaginal tissues to return to their normal pre-pregnant state. Will it hurt? If you have waited six weeks, you should not experience pain during sex. By then, if you had an episiotomy, the stitches will have dissolved, so you should not have discomfort at the incision site.