Sexual Health

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<h1>What is sexual dysfunction?</h1>
Sexual Dysfunction happens when a person or a couple experiences dissatisfaction from sexual activity. This can occur during any of the stages of the <a href="https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/guide/sexual-health-your-guide-to-sexual-response-cycle#:~:text=The%20sexual%20response%20cycle%20has,orgasm%20at%20the%20same%20time." target="_self"><ins>sexual response cycle</ins></a><ins>.</ins> Now, this sexual response cycle consists of 4 stages:
<ul>
<li>Excitement stage</li>
<li>Plateau stage</li>
<li>Orgasm stage</li>
<li>Resolution stage</li>
</ul>
<h1>What is female sexual dysfunction? </h1>
In women, there can be 6 types of sexual disorders.
&nbsp; Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: In this, you experience disinterest in sexual activity. There is lost libido, or in other terms, there is <a href="https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-pleasure-and-sexual-dysfunction/sexual-dysfunction/hypoactive-sexual-desire-disorder-hsdd" target="_self"><ins>low or no sex drive</ins></a>.
Aversion disorder: This disorder is characterised by a persistent feeling of strong disliking of any form of sexual activity.
Sexual arousal disorder: Any form of intimacy and sexual activity such as caressing and foreplay does not generate an arousal response in you. When you do not get aroused, other physical changes in your body do not follow either. Your genital area will remain dry, you won’t feel excited, and other body changes will not occur. As a result, it will make sex quite painful. 
Female orgasmic disorder: The delay or inability to achieve an orgasm or sexual climax is an anorgasmia or <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/orgasmic-dysfunction#:~:text=Orgasmic%20dysfunction%20is%20a%20condition,known%20as%20female%20orgasmic%20dysfunction." target="_self"><ins>female orgasmic disorder</ins></a>.
Vaginismus: The inability to have painless, pleasurable intercourse is known as vaginismus. The vaginal muscles involuntarily contract whenever penetration is attempted during sex. It can also happen when you try to insert tampons or menstrual cups or during a physical examination. Here, a <a href="https://proactiveforher.com/vaginismus?utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=blogs" target="_blank"><ins>comprehensive vaginismus program</ins></a> that involves exercises, consultations and support programs are advised. 
Dyspareunia: Dyspareunia refers to <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/dyspareunia#TOC_TITLE_HDR_1" target="_self"><ins>painful intercourse</ins></a>. In this condition, women experience immense pain in their genital or pelvic area during sexual intercourse, and this pain may also occur just before the act or persist after it.
<h1>What causes female sexual dysfunction?</h1>
Multiple factors, including psychological, social, physical and hormonal changes, can lead to female sexual dysfunction. Let’s look at what these factors may be - 
<ul>
<li>Psychological factors</li>
<li>Restrictive upbringing</li>
<li>Inadequate sex education</li>
<li>Disturbed family relationships </li>
<li>Traumatic early sexual relationships</li>
<li>Early insecurity in psychosexual roles</li>
<li>Body image issues</li>
<li>Guilt about earlier sexual relationships </li>
<li>Myths related to sexuality and sex</li>
<li>Mental disorders like anxiety, depression </li>
<li>Infidelity </li>
<li>Performance anxiety - can happen when there is incomplete knowledge and you are suddenly under the pressure to perform it. </li>
<li>Poor communication between partners</li>
<li>Safety issues in the relationship </li>
<li>Fear of intimacy </li>
<li>Physical and hormonal causes</li>
<li>Medical conditions like diabetes, kidney and liver failure</li>
<li>Hormonal disorders </li>
<li>Thyroid disorders</li>
<li>Medications like antidepressants, anti-hypertensives</li>
<li>Alcoholism </li>
<li>Drug abuse</li>
<li>Hormonal changes during menopause</li>
<li>Insufficient foreplay</li>
</ul>
<h1></h1>
<img src="https://pfh-images-production.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/files/images/sexual-dysfunction__8065f606-8537-4dfc-8356-02bd15e14b77.jpeg" alt="sexual-dysfunction" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>

<h1>How is sexual dysfunction diagnosed?</h1>
If you have any problems in your sex life, visit a gynaecologist for proper diagnosis and advice. The diagnosis will be a combination of mostly 3 methods: 
<ul>
<li>Medical and sexual history: Your doctor will ask about your medical and sexual history. Try to have an open conversation with your doctor, as this will directly impact your diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes, the doctor may even enquire about your partner’s medical and sexual history. </li>
<li>Pelvic examination: A physical exam will help the doctor check for existing conditions such as pain, dryness, thinning of vaginal walls, and decreased elasticity that may be affecting your sexual function. </li>
<li>Blood tests: To check for any underlying medical conditions leading to sexual problems, your doctor may ask you to take a few blood tests. These methods will help the doctor understand the exact underlying causes and help with suitable treatment options. </li>
</ul>

<h1>How is female sexual dysfunction treated?</h1>
While there is no universal treatment plan for female sexual dysfunction, it is usually a combination of medicines, sex therapy and exercise and counselling. The doctor can chart out a treatment plan depending on the symptoms and underlying causes. Remember to separate the facts from the fads and avoid <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/female-sexual-dysfunction/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372556" target="_self"><ins>non-medical strategies</ins></a> that you can try at home to treat sexual dysfunction. 
Open communication: Talk about the problems you are facing with your partner. Ensure that you are not blaming them but rather asking them to understand what you are going through. It will prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings and conflicts. 
Seek counselling: You and your partner can consider sex therapy from reputable and trustworthy professionals. It would involve methods to improve intimacy with your partner, couple exercises, adopting a new approach towards your sex life and more. 
Work on the relationship: If you have any issues or unresolved conflicts with your partner, work it out together.
Explore non-erotic pleasures: Take a break from sex and engage in other pleasurable activities with your partner. It could be cuddling, taking a walk, or reading books - the point is to spend quality time together to revive your happiness. 
<h1>How is female sexual dysfunction treated?&nbsp;</h1>
Taking care of your general health, educating and updating yourself with sexual knowledge and having open communication with your partner on these matters play a vital role in <a href="https://www.beaumont.org/treatments/male-female-sexual-dysfunction-prevention#:~:text=Get%20regular%20exercise%2C%20including%20aerobic,of%20two%20drinks%20per%20day" target="_self"><ins>preventing female sexual dysfunction</ins></a>. 
Introduce sex therapy at an early age: One of the most critical prevention steps includes educating young minds about sex, our anatomies and the importance of sexual health. Currently, a lot of information is available, but the sources may not always be authentic. Hence, it is better if trustworthy professionals introduce it. 
Talk to a doctor: In case you were unable to gain enough knowledge about sex earlier on in life, it is never too late to learn about it from your doctor.
Consider couple therapy: Couples therapy can go a long way in understanding each other, resolving conflicts, and strengthening the relationship.
Seek therapy in cases of sexual abuse: If you have had a history of sexual abuse, it needs to be taken care of by a trauma-informed psychotherapist.
Vitamin supplementation: Certain supplements and vitamins for sexual health, such as Vitamin D3 and B-complex, are known to improve your sexual function. Make sure to check with a professional before opting for any supplementation. 
Consider rephrasing the above para to - Vitamin D3 and B-complex are excellent vitamins for sexual health. While these may improve your sexual function, make sure to check with a professional before opting for any supplementation. 
Exercise: By doing regular exercise, you can normalise your serotonin levels. It is the chemical that decreases the libido if insufficient.
<a href="https://pages.proactiveforher.com/vaginal-discharge-blog?utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=blogs" target="_blank"><ins>Click here</ins></a> to make sense of your vaginal discharge for free.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h1>Conclusion</h1>
Whenever you are facing any sexual health problems, it is always better to seek professional help from your doctor and sex therapist. Do not try anything without proper knowledge and delay the diagnosis and treatment procedure. If you don’t take care of it, it can affect your relationship with your partner. Most importantly, communicate your problems and needs with your partner(s) to reach an understanding and resolve them together. 
Disclaimer: This information is educational and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any dietary changes or adding supplements.
<a href="https://proactiveforher.com/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=blogs" target="_blank"><ins>Proactive For Her</ins></a> is a digital clinic for women, offering accessible, personalised, and confidential healthcare solutions. We offer out-patient care, diagnostic services and programs for various health concerns of Indian women, across their lifetime - from puberty to pregnancy to menopause.

Have you been facing problems in your sex life lately? Various psychological and physical factors may be causing it. Learn what you can do to resolve it! 

All you need to know about Female Sexual Dysfunction

Sexual health

Mental Health

We have all had our relationships with grief, some short-lived, some with long-lasting effects. Although people often struggle with pain in response to the loss of anything that is very important to them - a job, a friendship or other relationship, one's sense of safety, a home - grief usually refers to the loss of a loved one through death. 
Grief affects everyone differently. Some might heal naturally with time, while for others, it can be exhausting and emotionally draining, making it hard to do simple things or even leave the house. While grieving death can be tough at any point in life, grieving the loss of a loved one while coping with the fear and anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic can be especially overwhelming. 
Social distancing, ‘stay-at-home-orders’, and limits on the size of in-person gatherings have changed the way friends and family can gather and grieve. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one might be unable to be with a loved one when they die, or unable to mourn someone’s death in-person with friends and family. 
The stages of grief
The emotional stages of grief are usually understood to be shock or disbelief, denial, bargaining, guilt, anger, depression, and acceptance/hope.
<ul>
<li>Denial: When you first learn of a loss, it’s normal to think, “This can’t be happening.” You may feel shocked or numb. This is a temporary way to deal with the rush of overwhelming emotion. It’s a defence mechanism.</li>
<li>Anger: As reality sets in, you are faced with the pain of your loss. You may feel frustrated and helpless. These feelings later turn into anger. You might direct it toward others or life in general or at yourself too. To be angry with a loved one who died and left you alone is natural, too.</li>
<li>Thinking back: During this stage, you dwell on what you could’ve done to prevent the loss. Common thoughts are “If only…” and “What if…” You may also try to strike a deal with a higher power.</li>
<li>Depression: Sadness sets in as you begin to understand the loss and its effect on your life. Signs of depression include crying, sleep issues, and a decreased appetite. You may feel overwhelmed, regretful, and lonely.</li>
<li>Acceptance: In this final stage of grief, you accept the reality of your loss. It can’t be changed. Although you still feel sad, you are able to start moving forward with your life. </li>
</ul>
Every person goes through these phases in their own way. You may go back and forth between them, or skip one or more stages altogether. Reminders of your loss, like the anniversary of a death or a familiar song, can trigger the return of grief.
Effects of grief
Survivor’s Guilt: Survivor’s guilt can occur in relation to a traumatic event or a loss of life. When a person survives an event that others did not, it can lead to feelings of guilt.
Survivors may question why they escaped death while others lost their lives. They may also wonder whether there was something that they could have done to prevent the traumatic event or preserve life.
While it was once a diagnosis in its own right, mental health professionals now consider survivor’s guilt to be a significant symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Chronic stress also is common during acute grief and can lead to a variety of physical and emotional issues, such as depression, trouble sleeping, feelings of anger and bitterness, anxiety, loss of appetite, and general aches and pains. People may even have suicidal thoughts.
Every person who experiences a death or other loss must complete a four-step grieving process:
<ul>
<li>Accepting the loss.</li>
<li>Working through and feel the physical and emotional pains of grief.</li>
<li>Adjusting to living in a world without the person or item lost.</li>
<li>Moving on with life. The grieving process is over only when a person completes the four steps. </li>
</ul>


<img src="https://pfh-images-production.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/files/images/Caring for the caregiver-min__7beecabf-0583-4337-8089-af51d695cd3e.jpeg" alt="stress disorder" style="height: auto;width: auto"/>


Ways to cope with grief
<ul>
<li>Accept your feelings. You may experience a wide range of emotions from sadness, anger or even exhaustion. All of these feelings are normal and it’s important to recognize when you are feeling this way. If you feel stuck or overwhelmed by these emotions, it may be helpful to talk with a licensed psychologist or another mental health professional who can help you cope with your feelings and find ways to get back on track.</li>
<li>Talk about the death of your loved one with friends or colleagues in order to help you understand what happened and remember your friend or family member. Avoidance can lead to isolation and will disrupt the healing process with your support systems.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Some of the important ways to cope are: 
<ul>
<li>Acknowledge your pain.</li>
<li>Accept that grief can trigger many different and unexpected emotions.</li>
<li>Understand that your grieving process will be unique to you.</li>
<li>Seek out face-to-face support from people who care about you.</li>
<li>Support yourself emotionally by taking care of yourself physically.</li>
<li>Be patient with the process. </li>
<li>Acknowledge your feelings, even the ones you don't like. </li>
<li>Get support. </li>
<li>Try to maintain your normal lifestyle. </li>
<li>Take care of yourself, to combat loneliness</li>
<li>Talk, reach out about that person whom they have lost</li>
<li>Strive for emotional independence </li>
</ul>
Join a support group. Speak with others who are also grieving. It can help you feel more connected. In some cases, grief doesn’t get better. 
A therapist can help you explore your emotions. They can also teach you coping skills and help you manage your grief. If you’re depressed, a doctor may be able to prescribe medicines to help you feel better.
When you’re in deep, emotional pain, it can be tempting to try to numb your feelings with drugs, alcohol, food, or even work. But be careful. These are temporary escapes that won’t make you heal faster or feel better in the long run. In fact, they can lead to addiction, depression, anxiety, or even an emotional breakdown. 
Disclaimer: This information is educational and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any dietary changes or adding supplements.
<a href="https://www.proactiveforher.com/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=blogs&utm_campaign=conclusion" target="_self"><ins>ProactiveForHer</ins></a> is a digital clinic for women, offering accessible, personalised, and confidential healthcare solutions. We offer out-patient care, diagnostic services and programs for various health concerns of Indian women, across their lifetime - from puberty to pregnancy to menopause. &nbsp;

Coping with the loss of a close friend or loved one may be one of the hardest challenges to face. We human beings are naturally resilient but this loss can be particularly intense and we can still be affected by prolonged sadness or depression. Dr Neha Gupta talks us through the stages of grief and how to deal with them on our own and with the help of others.

At Times of Grief, Reach Out and Take Care 

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Dr. Neha Gupta (she/her)

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