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Sexual Problems in Women - What Increases Your Risk
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
The main risk factors for sexual problems are also those that affect a woman's sexual function and satisfaction. These include:2
- A woman's mental and emotional well-being.
- Her sexual relationship.
- Her partner's sexual function.
A woman's physical well-being is also important. Being sexually active with a partner or through masturbation helps maintain vaginal health. And having regular sexual intercourse helps preserve vaginal elasticity and keeps vaginal tissues from shrinking.
Some physical risk factors include a current or long-term history of:
- Exhaustion, often from round-the-clock care of a baby or small children and/or parenting and having a job.
- Normal hormonal changes linked to pregnancy, recovery from pregnancy, menopause, or aging.
- Taking certain medicines that decrease a woman's desire for sex.
- Health problems that cause pain during sex or decrease
a woman's ability to engage in and enjoy sexual activity. Such health problems
include:
- Neurologic diseases such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson's disease.
- Surgery that affects a woman's pelvic organs or genitals.
- Endocrine diseases such as diabetes or liver disease.
- Peripheral arterial disease.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: March 10, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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