Sexual disorders in women (frigidity)

Sexual disorders in women, also frigidity mentioned, can have numerous causes and must definitely be treated, as in many cases they do not get better but worse on their own. There are numerous reasons for sexual dysfunction.

What are sexual disorders (frigidity)?

The term frigidity denotes all disorders that are related to the sexuality of women. Frigidity actually describes a woman's feeling of coldness and can manifest itself in a blockage of sexual desire or in a negligible sexual feeling.

More precisely, this is a reduction in libido, a disorder in sexual arousal and a restricted ability to orgasm. Often times, frigidity causes pain during sexual intercourse.

In the rarest of cases, these are physical disorders. Sexual disorders are often found in women without exact numbers being known.

causes

From frigidity one speaks when problems with sexual intercourse persist over a long period of time. Causes can be hormonal disorders, mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder or depression.

Medicinal side effects can also be the cause. The reasons why women have never had positive sexual experiences in their life can be in early childhood, in sexual abuse or an upbringing that was hostile to sex. Often then rejection of one's own body and fears arise.

Sometimes women suffer from sexual disorders after childbirth, which are based on a change in life situation or hormonal changes. This is almost always temporary frigidity. Everyday problems can carry over to the sexual relationship, lack of communication regarding sexual needs, monotony in the relationship, and lack of tenderness can have negative effects.

When women come to terms with the fact that their partner does not show empathy, sexual disorders can result. A sexual disorder in one partner always involves both partners. In this realization lies the first step towards change.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

Frigidity includes organic sexual dysfunction and psychological sexual dysfunction. The symptoms are accordingly diverse. In the case of constant sexual aversion, one speaks of appetite. Affected women hardly have any sexual needs or fantasies. The advances of potential sexual partners are repelled and avoidance behavior occurs.

The feelings of the women concerned are very different and range from disgust to fear of failure. Sexual dysfunction can also occur as a symptom of frigidity. A lack of physical arousal despite the presence of sexual stimuli is possible. The vagina is then poorly or insufficiently moisturized and sometimes painful during the act. This, too, promotes sexual displeasure.

Also, the woman's sexual disorder can only show itself during the act. It is possible, for example, that a vaginal spasm occurs. Such vaginismus can be very painful. Pain after intercourse that cannot be explained is also possible.

The symptoms can also directly affect a woman's sexual experience. It can happen that sexual stimuli are not perceived as pleasant or not at all. A decreased or inability to experience an orgasm is also possible. Sometimes an orgasm can be experienced but not enjoyed.

Diagnosis & course

At the beginning of the diagnosis of a sexual disorder is a therapeutic conversation. The spontaneous expressions of the woman's feelings are particularly important. Existing conflicts can be read from this. After the conversation has taken place, it is determined whether it is a pathological disorder or whether the expectations of the partners are too high.

If the woman reports pain during sexual intercourse, a physical examination is carried out to rule out organic causes. In some cases, increasing sexual experience or getting to know a new partner will resolve a sexual disorder on its own.

If the course is chronic, research should be carried out into sexual trauma or other physical causes. In most cases, couples therapy will improve the situation.

Complications

Sexual disorders in women can lead to various complications and ailments. First and foremost, there is usually a lack of sexual desire and thus possibly also tensions and problems in the relationship with one's own partner. Psychological complaints, depression or general irritability can also arise from these disorders.

Furthermore, in many cases the woman can suffer from pain during sexual intercourse, so that she cannot achieve orgasm either. Although a woman's sexual dysfunction does not have a particularly negative impact on health, it can significantly reduce and limit the patient's mental stability and zest for life.

Treatment of sexual disorders in women depends largely on their causes. Medicines or creams can also be used to significantly reduce the pain. However, in many cases, psychological treatment or couples therapy is also necessary to combat these disorders.

As a rule, it cannot be predicted whether the course of the disease will be completely positive. Especially with traumatic disorders, it can take a long time for the woman's sexual disorders to be treated. The patient's life expectancy is usually not reduced or otherwise affected by the disorder.

When should you go to the doctor?

Sexual disorders in women are a reason for a doctor's visit from the moment the woman concerned feels uncomfortable and impaired in her sex life. Often, of course, the partner is also the reason for a medical examination, because with sexual disorders usually only the partner with a normal sex drive suffers from the problem. The right contact person for sexual disorders in women is the gynecologist; the family doctor can also be visited, but he will refer you to the specialist.

The gynecologist will first ask in what form the sexual disorders occur, i.e. whether it is, for example, listlessness, fear of pain or some other trigger. He will then conduct examinations to rule out that the cause is organic. In women who use hormonal contraception for a long time, a side effect of the contraceptive should also be considered.

If a physical cause is identified, the gynecologist can either treat it himself or refer the patient to a suitable specialist who specializes in the problem - the sexual disorders then improve with treatment of the cause. If the gynecologist comes to the conclusion that there is no underlying physical illness, he can refer the affected patient to a psychologist who will work with her to investigate the causes of the problem and develop a solution.

Treatment & Therapy

If the physical examination by a gynecologist does not bring any results, psychotherapy or couples therapy must take place in order to get to the bottom of the causes in the mental and partnership area. Therapy focuses on the causes on the part of the woman. Advisory discussions on the subject of sexuality provide basic information on sexual intercourse, reduce inhibitions and correct misconceptions.

In addition, the perception of one's own body is changed, incorrect sexual behavior patterns are changed. In most cases, both partners receive therapy, even if only one partner has mental disorders. Sexual desires and ideas are discussed, false expectations corrected.

On a physical level, if there is pain during sexual intercourse, hormone preparations can be used to influence the amount of vaginal fluid. If the disorder is based on traumatic experiences such as child abuse, it is often treated in individual therapy.

prevention

A general prevention of sexual disorders does not exist. Anyone who has the feeling that something is wrong with their sexuality should seek a conversation with their partner at an early stage. Those who remain silent about unfulfilled needs run the risk of anticipatory fears that block sexuality even further. Those who deal intensively and free from shame with their own body and its needs can counteract sexual disorders.

Aftercare

With sexual disorders in women, several follow-up measures are necessary in most cases. The primary disease on which the frigidity is based and the respective therapeutic approach are decisive. Regardless of the diagnosed organic causes, long-term marriage or couples therapy is advisable if the sexual disorder is putting a strain on the partnership. This can last for several years.

In the case of mental disorders or trauma, intensive psychotherapy is also necessary. The woman concerned should see a therapist at least once a week for a period of several years. The intervals between the sessions change according to needs and the course. In-patient hospital stays are required in some cases. However, sexual disorders in women often have organic causes.

In these cases, intensive follow-up examinations are usually necessary. These are usually done by the gynecologist. Depending on the underlying disease, they can also be done by an endocrinologist, neurologist or general practitioner. Often times, blood or urine tests are ordered.

Sometimes an abdominal ultrasound is needed. Other imaging techniques are rarely used. The doctor concerned will decide on the frequency of the tests and the intervals between check-ups. In many cases, follow-up examinations are still necessary a few months, sometimes even years, after the initial treatment for the sexual disorder.

You can do that yourself

When a woman's desire for sex wanes, it can have significant consequences for her general well-being. First of all, it is advisable to investigate the cause of the problem. The causes of the illness are often based on psychological backgrounds, for example depression due to a traumatic event. Psychotherapy should be sought for such a cause.

It is often difficult for partners to deal with frigidity. In this case, it is advisable to make the person concerned want to have sex again, for example by talking about preferences and / or trying out new sex practices. The beautiful sides of an intact sex life should be brought out. Partners can induce this by creating relaxation in the woman with intense massages. It is important to give the person concerned support and not put them under pressure. Partners should find out the cause and try to fix it if possible.

There is also the possibility that the listlessness occurs due to illness. The lack of orgasms and the vagina becoming wet can be indications of this. The causes can be found out with a specialist and treated with medication. It is important to support your partner in this situation and not to put her under pressure.