What are sexual desire and sexual arousal?
Sexual desire (also known
as ‘sex drive’ or ‘libido’) is controlled by
the brain. It is the biological, driving force
that makes us think about sex and behave sexually.
Sexual arousal (being
‘turned on’) involves a number of changes in the body. These include increased blood
flow to the vagina, increased vaginal lubrication, swelling of the external
genitals or ‘vulva’ (including the opening of the vagina, the fleshy lips
surrounding this and the clitoris), and expanding of the top of the vagina
inside the body. The heart rate, breathing and blood pressure also increase.
How do these differ between men and women?
The sexual response cycle has been described as a 3-stage
process in men and women: desire, arousal and orgasm. However, this may not be
so straightforward in women for a number of reasons. Many women do not move
through these stages in a step-wise manner (for example, some women may become
sexually aroused and achieve orgasm as a result of a partner’s sexual interest,
but did not feel sexual desire beforehand). And some women may not experience
all the stages (for example, they may experience desire and arousal but not
orgasm.)
While many women feel desire when starting a new sexual
relationship or after a long separation from a partner, those in long-term
relationships may not think about sex very often or feel spontaneous desire for
sexual activity.
The goal of sexual activity in women may not necessarily be physical
satisfaction (orgasm),
but rather emotional satisfaction (a feeling of intimacy
and connection with a partner). Having sex to maintain a relationship, to
prevent the partner from being unfaithful, may be another motivation.
Psychological factors (in the mind) may
play a major part in female sexual
functioning. Examples include relationship issues, self-image, and previous
negative sexual experiences.
What is a lack of sexual desire and/or arousal?
A lack of sexual desire (also known as a lack of ‘sex drive’ or
‘libido’), is a lack of interest in sexual
thoughts and sexual activity. A lack of sexual arousal (not feeling ‘turned
on’) is a lack of response to sexual stimulation, which is felt in the mind
and/or the body. In the body this may include a lack of vaginal wetness and/or
a lack of swelling, tingling or throbbing in the genital area. A lack of sexual
desire and a lack of sexual arousal often occur together, and treatment of one
often improves the other. For this reason, these conditions are now usually
considered together.
Symptoms of Poor Libido In Women
·
Reduced or no interest in sexual activity
·
Reduced or no sexual or erotic thoughts or fantasies
·
Not wanting to start sexual activity or respond to a partner’s
attempts to start it
·
No triggering of sexual desire with sexual or erotic stimulus
(read, heard or seen)
·
Reduced or no feelings of sexual excitement or pleasure during
sexual activity
·
Reduced or no feeling in the genitals or other areas during
sexual activity
Many women may experience a temporary reduction in sexual desire
and/or arousal at some point in their lives. This is particularly common during
or after pregnancy, or at times of stress, if these symptoms continue long-term, are present all or
most of the time, and/or cause you distress, then you should consider using
nutritional supplements that will be of great help. You might need to talk to a
wellness consultant
What are the causes?
A lack of sexual desire and/or a lack of sexual arousal may be
caused by physical problems (in the body), psychological problems (in the mind)
or a mixture of both.
A lack of sexual desire and/or a lack of sexual arousal may be
associated with a number of physical problems. These include diabetes, hormone
deficiencies (low oestrogen or testosterone), urinary incontinence, arthritis,
nerve problems (e.g. spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis) and the effects of
some prescription medicines (including some that affect mood and behavior, e.g.
antidepressants, some used to treat conditions of the heart or blood vessels,
e.g. antihypertensives, and some that affect the hormones, e.g. Tamoxifen and
combined oral contraceptives).
A lack of sexual desire may also be associated with high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, dementia and
schizophrenia. While a lack of sexual arousal may also be associated with
disease of the arteries (atherosclerosis), thyroid problems, surgical
procedures and radiotherapy to the genital area, pelvis or lower abdomen/tummy,
as well as frequent urinary tract or vaginal infections and vaginal skin
conditions.
Psychological issues that may cause or contribute to a lack of
sexual desire and/or a lack of sexual arousal include depression, anxiety,
relationship problems, sexual dysfunction in the partner,
unrewarding sexual experiences, low self-esteem, negative body image and a
history of sexual abuse, violence or humiliation.
How are they diagnosed?
Your wellness consultant will probably ask you about your
desire/arousal problem, your lifestyle and any other medical and/or
psychological issues. An expert might need to examine you to see you have any
obvious physical cause/s for the problem. This may include examination of your
external genitals or ‘vulva’. They may also examine the inside of your vagina
with gloved fingers and/or a speculum (a plastic instrument which is inserted
into the vagina and gently widened to allow better visual examination).
You may need to do a ‘swab’ or urine test to check for
infection. A ‘swab’ is where a kind of cotton bud on a long stick is rolled
over the skin on the inside or the outside of the vagina to collect discharge
or skin cells and then sent away to the laboratory to see what bacteria are
present. They may also want do blood tests to check your hormones/general health.
How are they treated?
If a lack of sexual desire and/or a lack of sexual arousal is
caused by a medical problem, this should be treated appropriately by talking to
a wellness consultant.
If reduced levels of the hormones oestrogen and/or testosterone
are responsible, you may take products to address hormonal imbalance. If
vaginal dryness is a problem for you, this may be helped with a vaginal lubricant or moisturiser.
If the effects of a prescription medication are causing the
problem, your doctor may need to reduce the dose or switch to nutritional
supplement that is appropriate for the health issue you are treating.
You can find more information on urinary tract infections, here.
Libido booster for women a new 3 in 1 pack for treating low
sexual desire and any order sexual dysfunction problems in women. It has to be
taken every day religiously for the period specified by your wellness
consultant. The products in the pack is approved for use in the United States, UK
and other 170 countries.
If vaginal dryness is an issue for you, increasing the amount of
foreplay and delaying penetration until you are really ‘turned on’ may help
increase vaginal lubrication and make things more comfortable and enjoyable.
If your partner often ejaculates or ‘comes’ before you do, and
sex usually stops at this point, we advise such partner to get a pack of libido booster for men.
What is the Take Home Message?
A lack of sexual desire and a lack of sexual arousal often occur
together, and treatment of one often improves the other. whenever you have either of these issues talk to a wellness consultant
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