Let's Talk About Sex Pt. 3: Women's Sexual Health - Issues & Treatments
ADVANCED TREATMENTS
As we have explained in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series on Women’s Sexual Health - experiencing problems with sexual response, desire, orgasm or pain is a common, and complex, issue. So many women suffer from unsatisfactory - and challenging or painful - sex lives. The causes can be hormonal, psychological or related to medications or other comorbidities. So how should women approach treatment? Thankfully, there are many options.
The primary goal should be to find a doctor specializing in women’s sexual health who can conduct a thorough evaluation to gain a clear picture of all aspects of your health. I believe doctors focusing on functional medicine and/or hormone health who concentrate on the root cause of a woman’s sexual challenges can provide the most comprehensive care. With this definitive understanding of what’s going on, a plan to address your specific challenges can be put into place.
SOME POTENTIAL TREATMENTS INCLUDE:
Testosterone Therapy - can be used off-label for perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms and can be appropriate for hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Bioidentical testosterone can be delivered in several ways including transdermal (with cream), pellet insertions, and sometimes injections.
Estrogen Therapy - can be used vaginally and systemically and is most commonly used in women in perimenopause and menopause. Bioidentical estradiol can be delivered via patch, cream, vaginal insertion, subcutaneous pellet, or oral tablet. If women still have a uterus, progesterone is required for women on estrogen therapy. Appropriate delivery options are discussed during office visits.
Viveve (formerly known as Geneveve) - this treatment is for women of all ages - especially those post-partum or around menopause age who may be experiencing decreased vaginal tone, urinary leakage, vaginal dryness, or decreased orgasm. Viveve is a radiofrequency treatment that renews vaginal tissue by promoting healthy blood circulation and increasing nerve sensitivity. Viveve is the only vaginal rejuvenation device company that has completed a randomized, blinded, multi-center clinical trial that has been published in two peer-reviewed journals.
O-Shot (Vaginal PRP) - can be a good tool for younger, pre-menopausal, and post-menopausal women who desire enhanced sensitivity, plumper vaginal tissue, or better orgasm. The O-Shot is an injection of your growth factors derived from your blood into target tissues for improved sensitivity, lubrication, and sexual function.
Lifestyle Interventions - for many women, lifestyle factors play a role in sexual desire and sexual function. A functional medicine doctor can help you evaluate the role of stress, diet, and exercise and make recommendations for lifestyle interventions.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy - for women with pelvic pain, pain during sex, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, or vaginismus, pelvic floor PT is often part of a comprehensive treatment approach.
Psychotherapy - for women who have a history of any kind of sexual trauma or abuse - or struggle with depression, anxiety, or any kind of relationship issues - engaging a therapist can be essential to a healthy sexual relationship.
Medication - medications are very commonly the source of sexual dysfunction for women of all ages - leading to decreased sexual desire, vaginal dryness, and inability to reach orgasm. Common medications with adverse effects include antidepressants, birth control, cardiac medications, and cancer medications.
Herbal Supplements - some small studies support a handful of supplements that are potentially beneficial to sexual function. Maca, ginseng, and tribulus terrestris are a few examples of supplements that might prove helpful. If you are low in iron - this can potentially be a beneficial supplement to incorporate.
If you have been feeling at a loss about your sexual health, there is no reason to give up. I am passionate about helping women maintain their vitality and confidence and believe that incorporating one or more of these treatments can help transform your sexual health.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION OR HAVE ANY QUESTIONS - JUST GIVE THE OFFICE A CALL AT 425-970-8568.
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