Understanding What is ED in Women: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

In men, ED really comes down to a dysfunction in their erectile tissue making it difficult for them to engage in intercourse.  We could then say the female version is having a difficult time engaging in intercourse. This could be due to vaginal dryness, vulvar or pelvic pain, lack of circulation and blood flow to the female erectile tissue, or even simply having a low libido.

If you answered yes to any of these, your libido is probably low:

• Do you feel uninterested in sex?
• Do you have little interest in erotic desire or pleasure?
• Do you have few to no sexual thoughts or fantasies?
• Are you disinterested in initiating sex?
• Does having sex feel like a chore? Are you just not into it?
• Do you feel like you no longer have a “sex drive”?

Libido varies from woman to woman. According to Dr. Risa Kagan, MD, 1 in every 10 women have a low sex drive or are worried about it.  Other sources say that it is as many as 70% of women! There is no “normal” libido level – what matters most is how YOU feel about your current sex life and whether or not you want to change it. Libido (and loss of it) is very individual.

Don’t compare how often you have sex with how often others do. You and your partner need to be happy with your level of sexual activity.  Also, it is not uncommon in a relationship for one person to have a different level of libido than the other person. This does not mean one person is good and the other bad – they are just differences and if affecting the relationship can be managed.

Signs and Symptoms of ED in Women

Understanding the signs and symptoms of sexual dysfunction in women is important for identifying and addressing the condition. You may notice a mix of physical and emotional symptoms.

Physical Symptoms

Physical symptoms can manifest in various ways. A lack of sexual desire, often associated with low libido in women over 40, is one of the primary indicators. You might find it hard to reach orgasm or notice disruptions in your sexual response cycle. Pain during intercourse, known as dyspareunia, can also be a significant concern. Vaginal dryness, excessive tightness, or muscle spasms might cause discomfort, influencing your ability to enjoy sex.

Emotional and Psychological Symptoms

Emotional and psychological symptoms can also affect your sexual wellbeing. You may experience a lack of sexual satisfaction, leading to anxiety or fear around sexual activity. Negative emotions during sex, poor mental health, and depression are common issues. Trauma, whether recent or past, can significantly impact your sexual function. Relationship difficulties might further exacerbate the problem, creating a cycle of fear and dissatisfaction.

Causes of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD)

Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) often includes various issues affecting women’s sexual health and wellbeing. Understanding the causes can guide you toward effective solutions.

Physical Causes

• Hormonal changes, particularly those associated with menopause, pregnancy, and childbirth impact libido. Fluctuations in estrogen levels often lead to decreased libido and vaginal dryness, making intimacy less enjoyable. For example, many women in their late 40s experience reduced sexual desire due to menopause.
• Chronic illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease can affect blood flow, nerve function, and energy levels, all contributing to FSD. Multiple sclerosis, for instance, might lead to physical discomfort during sex due to nerve damage.
• Antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and chemotherapy drugs frequently decrease sexual desire and arousal. If you’re taking these medications, consult your healthcare provider about possible alternatives.
• Scarring from surgery or radiation treatment, particularly in the pelvic area, can alter sexual experience and sensation. Women who have undergone mastectomies or hysterectomies often report changes in sexual response, which can lead to FSD.
• Infections, such as genital herpes, can cause pain and discomfort during intercourse. These symptoms may deter you from engaging in sexual activities, affecting your overall sexual health.

Psychological Causes

• Stress, anxiety, and depression can lower libido, making intimacy challenging. For example, work-related stress might leave you too drained to enjoy sexual activity.
• Relational issues, such as lack of communication or unresolved conflicts with your partner, often exacerbate FSD. These emotional barriers can lead to anxiety or fear about sexual performance, further diminishing desire.
• Traumatic experiences, including sexual abuse, can have long-lasting effects on your sexual health. These traumatic memories might resurface during intimate moments, causing distress and avoidance.
• Low self-esteem and body image issues also contribute to FSD. If you feel uncomfortable with your body, this discomfort can translate into a lack of sexual confidence.

By addressing these physical and psychological causes, you can take steps toward improving your sexual health and overall quality of life.

Key Diagnostic Tests

If the issue is physical, several diagnostic tests can help pinpoint the causes of ED in women:

• Hormone Level Tests: Measuring levels of estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormones can identify hormonal imbalances.
• Blood Tests: Testing glucose, lipid profiles, and other markers can detect conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular diseases that impact sexual function.
• Pelvic Ultrasound: Imaging tests can reveal structural abnormalities in reproductive organs.
• Psychological Assessments: Evaluating mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or past trauma provides essential insights into FSD.

So What Can We Do About ED?

Ladies! There are a wide variety of ways to take on female erectile dysfunction …

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

What’s are the first things you can you do if you want to make changes in your sex life?

1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Limit alcohol, get exercise, eat a healthy diet to maintain a healthy weight.
2. Reduce stress (try meditation, breathing exercises, yoga, and time in nature).
3. Sleep Quality: Adequate sleep is important for hormone regulation and overall energy levels. Ensuring you get 7-8 hours of sleep each night can help balance your mood and improve your interest in sex.
4. Hydration: Staying hydrated affects your overall health and sexual lubrication. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day can improve vaginal dryness issues that sometimes accompany aging.
5. Find joy and gratitude in your day every day to change your mood.
6. Be the best person that you can be every day so your partner finds joy being with you.
7. Rekindle your relationship and make quality time with your partner a priority. Do what you can to improve your relationship. An unhappy relationship makes it hard to feel any sexual interest in your partner.
8. Communicate with your partner! Let them know the things that bring you pleasure and learn the same about them. Also talk about frequency of sex – it is good to get this out in the open, discuss it if you want different amounts of sex, and compromise so you both are happy.
9. Spice things up! You may have gotten in a rut so try new things. Often times just talking about other options or things you haven’t tried can be pleasurable. Novelty is huge for reactivating sex drive. Novelty can be as simple as trying a new position, trying a new lube, putting on a new outfit, or having a date night at a new location. It can also be much more wild than this! Explore with your partner what sort of small or larger changes can really work to add novelty to your intimacy!
10. Explore your own sexuality. Where do you want to be touched? What level of touch or pressure is pleasurable? Learn what brings you pleasure so you can ask for it.
11. Focus on “pleasure rather than performance”. This intimacy can lead to more sex.
12. Your partner may fear they are hurting you when having intercourse. Reassure them, communicate about it.
13. When you are with your partner stay focused and enjoy the pleasure of sex!

If you have tried these things and still are not happy with your sex drive, then it is recommended you seek professional help. Some of the options for help include include the following