Many people accept lack of sexual desire in older women as a normal consequence of ageing. This is not necessarily the case. As women are often expected to be more passive than men often their sexual problem are masked by this fact. There are women who just lack INTEREST in sex. These ladies often do not participate in sexual intercourse although they may enjoy sex once love making has begun. When left alone these women don't miss sex and certainly never seek it out.
Other women are interested in sex and enjoy the physical closeness they experience during the sexual act but they do not lubricate well and do not experience any strong sexual emotions.
Yet another group of women do not ever experience orgasm.
The most serious form of sexual dysfunction in women occurs when there is a complete aversion to sex. The women with this disorder is completely turned off of sex. She hates sex and does not want to be touched.
The inability to enjoy sex and experience orgasm can be a symptom of some other problem which the woman is experiencing. It is rarely caused by one single cause. Anger and hostility in a relationship can be the reason why a woman does not enjoy sex or can be caused by her failure to experience orgasm. Most women with sexual problems are perfectly physically healthy.
Physical conditions such as pregnancy and breast feeding, childbirth and the menopause can contribute to a woman's failure to enjoy sex. Other factors such as changes in body image and having to divide time and emotions between a husband and children can seriously stress sexual function.
Some women grow up with a negative attitude towards sex, seeing sex as dirty and even feeling guilty if they enjoy it. Other women feel that they are unattractive and keep the lights off during sex. They are self conscious during love making and do not relax enough to enjoy sex. Some physical conditions affect body image, for example depression, mastectomy (removal of a breast) or hysterectomy (removal of the womb) can affect sexual desire. Any form of sexual trauma or abuse is likely to affect a woman's attitude towards women and sex.
Poor communication between sexual partners is another factor leading to poor sexual interaction. Many women are not aroused enough during sex to experience orgasm. There is a disparity in the time required for orgasm in men and women. Research shows that most men ejaculate within 3 minutes of intromission (entering the vagina) while a female requires at least 15 minutes of sexual stimulation to achieve orgasm.
Usually more extended fore play before actual sexual intercourse helps. If a woman is anxious and has a dry vagina when the penis is introduced she may experience pain during sex. This sets her up for increased anxiety and fear of future sexual interaction. She might experience VAGINISMUS during sex where her vaginal wall spasms to keep the penis out. Sex at this time can be very painful.
There are also several drugs which can affect interest in sex. The oral contraceptive pill can reduce sexual desire and a woman can benefit from a change to a different pill. Alcohol, anxiety, medication, antidepressants and certain types of antihypertensitive medication such as Beta blockers can also inhibit sexual desire in women and should be substituted by other medication when the problem occurs.
Some drug therapy is available for women who lack interest in sex. Antidepressants should be given to the depressed women while ANDROGEN (male hormone) can be used in some women, particularly in menopausal women. Sexual counselling with a sex therapist can also be very useful.
A.J.M
