This article discusses the medical establishment’s approach to female sexual dysfunctions, the feminist woman-centered “New View” to these dysfunctions, and enumerates many causes and factors that lead to these conditions.
Medical definitions of sexual disorders
The medical establishment, starting with Masters and Johnston back at the 60s, defined a universal pattern or sexual response cycle which includes sexual desire, arousal and orgasm and defined a few kinds of sexual disorders and conditions:
- Female sexual disorder (FSD)
- Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)
- Female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD)
- Female orgasmic disorder (FOD)
- Sexual aversion disorder
- Anorgasmia or inorgasmia
- Preorgasmic
- Sexual pain disorder
- Frigidity
The problem with this approach is that it reduces sexual problems to disorders of mainly physiological function, comparable to breathing or digestive disorders. This approach doesn’t address psychological, socio-economic, cultural, political and relationship conditions, and factors such as ethnicity, religious background, personal history and current life situation.
Furthermore, the scientific community is highly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry, who pushes the agenda that sexual dysfunction is a physiologic condition which can be treated by drugs.
According to this approach, “Difficulties” become “Dysfunctions” become “Disease”.
The pharmaceutical industry aka “Big Pharma” is also involved in “inventing” and creating exposure to “new” diseases so it can sell drugs aimed at solving these diseases.
In fact, many supposedly scientific research and conferences are directly or indirectly funded by the pharmaceutical industry.
The “new view” to sexual dysfunction is promoting a woman-centered definition of sexual problems: “discontent or dissatisfaction with any emotional, physical, or relational aspect of sexual experience”.
It is important to remember that there are many levels of pleasure and many different kinds of orgasm which a woman can experience. Read more: orgasms, multiple whole body and orgasmic states
The “optimal” condition to aspire to is regularly and repeatedly experiencing pleasure and various kinds of orgasms from any kind of sexual activity, alone or with a partner.
However, a woman can still enjoy sex and have a healthy relationship even if she is not in the “optimal” condition. There are natural changes and variations that occur during the month, the year and throughout a woman’s life which affect pleasure and orgasmic response.
One interesting issue is that some women are not bothered or distressed by their lack of pleasure or orgasm, or by very low frequency of sexual interactions.
It is an open question whether these women should still try to change their condition.
I personally believe that sex is an important part of life and of a healthy relationship; that sexual pleasure is a source of physical, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual well-being; and that 2 hours a week of satisfying fulfilling sexual activity is a bare minimum for most people.
For more information, read the “New view of women’s sexual problems” at:
http://www.fsd-alert.org/manifesto5.asp
Sexual disorder causes and factors
There are many factors that can hurt a woman’s sex life, decrease her pleasure and make it difficult for her to experience her first orgasm or to orgasm on a regular basis.
As you read this extensive list of factors, bear in mind that many women easily experience pleasure and orgasm regardless of having one or more of these conditions.
A factor can be considered a primary or secondary cause for a sexual dysfunction if the women herself regards it as an important factor that disturbs her, or if a doctor or therapist determines that it is an important factor.
Main factors: stress, sexual trauma, lack of sexual education and sexual experience by the woman and her partner, trust, relationship issues
Psychological factors
- Stress, Tension and Anxiety about sex or as a general condition
- Physical emotional or sexual trauma – rape, sexual abuse or even abortion – More info: “Yoni massage therapy” (coming soon)
- Low self-esteem or poor body image – A woman should accept and love her body as it is. Not loving your body will make it harder for you to feel attractive, sensual and sexual
- Fear of pregnancy, contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD or STI), pain, not-performing, or losing reputation
- Clinical depression, anxiety or a temporary disturbed mood (feeling down)
- Guilt or shame over sexual preferences, desires or fantasies
- Guilt or shame over natural bodily processes and secretions
- Over-masculinity or Over-solarity – some women who are considered “strong women” might manifest their masculine side and inhibit their feminine energy so much that even in the privacy of their bedroom they can’t relax, let go and surrender, which are feminine qualities.
- Low ability to express affection and engage in non-sexual and sexual intimacy and in emotional intimacy
- General personality problems with over-control, attachment, trust, surrender, co-operation
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (“SAD”) –living in places where the sun doesn’t shine in winter
- Pessimism, negative outlook on self and life; Victim mentality
- Shyness, introversion, Low self-confidence and low assertiveness; inhibition in expressing sexual needs and preferences
- Preconceived ideas about what an orgasm is and how it should feel like
Physiological and Medical factors
- Surgery – Cesarean operation, childbirth trauma, hysterectomy, mastectomy (removal of one or both breasts) or other kinds of surgery in the genital area might sever crucial nerves, create a psychological impact and make it hard or even impossible to have an orgasm. However, even some women who had spinal cord injury manage to orgasm thanks to nerves which pass through the body and not through the spine. Furthermore, since women can have intense whole-body non-penetrative “energetic” orgasms, even women who had surgery can still orgasm by using the power of their mind.
- Medication – Some drugs inhibit the natural bodily processes related to orgasm or create a hormonal imbalance. For example Anti-Depressants such as SSRI (Selective Serotonine reuptake inhibitors) might inhibit orgasm; High blood pressure medication might reduce clitoral and vaginal swelling and lubrication; Birth control pills might decrease sexual libido and the ability of some women to orgasm.
- Hormonal imbalance – excess prolactin, insufficient dopamine or progesterone, can lower libido (Note: hormone substitute pills are not recommended)
- Menopause and old age – Physical conditions characteristic of menopause, such as vaginal dryness, thinning of vaginal walls, and hormonal imbalance might make it difficult for a woman to orgasm
- Pregnancy and post-childbirth, breast-feeding, child-birth trauma
- Alcoholism, smoking and drug use
- Having an Actual STD
- Sedentary life style, lack of exercise
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Low vitality, Tiredness, Fatigue
- Low body mass index (low weight in comparison to height)
- Malnutrition
- Physiological and psychological effects of the menstrual cycle
- Extensive cycling on a narrow seat
- Devices such as IUD (intra-uterine device)
Relationship factors
- Relationship issues
- An un-experienced partner – many men do not know how to properly touch, arouse and make love with a woman, since they have been “educated” by porn movies and by the self-censored main stream movie industry which depicts shallow superficial sex scenes.
- Partner chooses inconvenient times, has different sexual habits, has health or sexual problems,
- Wishes to please a partner, or, in some cases, wishes to avoid offending, losing, or angering a partner
- Lack of sexual polarity and attraction between the partners
- Post divorce or painful break-up or post bad relationship
- Loss of sexual interest or attraction due to conflicts over non-sexual issues
- Previous negative experiences with intimacy, love, attraction, and sexual activity
- Not enough foreplay and not enough time for the whole sexual act
- Lack of or inadequate communication – a man speaks directly and might offend a woman; most men can’t understand a woman when she speaks indirectly or uses non-verbal communication
- Infrequent sexual interactions – in order to experience an orgasm and to stay orgasmic and sexual, a woman needs regular sex, preferably with a conscious loving partner
Social cultural and socio-economic factors
- Ignorance and anxiety due to inadequate sex education
- Oppressive, anti-sexual or anti-feminine family, social circle, society, culture, or religion – growing up with the idea that sex is a sin or that a woman is inferior to a man
- Double standards of modern society – for women, looking sexy is good but being sexual is bad
- Lack of time or energy because of work load, family and house-hold responsibilities
- Lack of privacy – inhibition to express pleasure AND pain via sounds and body movement
- Lack of access to sexual consultation
- Living conditions, exposure to natural light and fresh air, proximity to nature
Sexual factors
- Using a vibrator for too long might make the genital area “numb” and de-sensitized. The woman might be too used to a certain kind of arousal that her partner can not provide
- Over-reliance on masturbation might make it difficult to experience orgasm with a man
- Focusing only on clitoral orgasms might make it difficult to experience vaginal or whole-body orgasms
- Lack of sexual experience
- Gender identity and sexual orientation
Solutions and Treatments
If a factor is considered to be a primary or secondary cause of sexual dysfunction, it is advisable to address this factor in a holistic and natural way.
Pills and drugs, illegal or prescribed, are not recommended, unless they are natural substances such as homeopathic medicine.
For example, if a woman is suffering from high blood pressure and is taking medication which might inhibit her arousal, the recommended treatment will be a gradual exercise plan and diet changes.
Some treatments might include:
- Life style changes that promote a balanced diet, exercise, rest, and general well-being
- Sexual education for both partners
- Seeing a sexual therapist alone and/or with the partner
- Practicing “sensate focus” techniques
- Practicing masturbation, alone and with the partner