It may be unusual for a sexually active woman to dislike or not enjoy sex, not because of religious inclination or trauma caused by bad experiences, but just like that. This is frigidity in women.
It is a range of sexual disorders, including hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) and female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), characterized by decrease in sexual desire or difficulty becoming aroused or attaining orgasm during intercourse, no matter how stimulated.
Frigidity centres on a woman’s inability to experience a sexual response of any kind; inability to achieve sexual arousal or to do so only with great difficulty (hyposexuality); and the inability to achieve orgasm.
Causes of low sexual desire
Low sexual desire or satisfaction may develop when a woman’s hormones are in flux or during or after a medical condition, such as cancer, diabetes, or heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Some medications, like antidepressants, blood pressure medications, antihistamines and chemotherapy drugs, can decrease sexual desire and sexual function.
There is also the problem of lower estrogen levels after menopause, which changes genital tissues and sexual responsiveness.
A reduction in estrogen would cause decreased blood flow to the pelvic region, which can result in less genital sensation, which delays or withholds arousal and orgasm.
When depression is untreated, it contributes to sexual dysfunction. It could be as a result of long-standing conflicts with a partner — about sex or other aspects of your relationship.
Low sexual desire or satisfaction could be caused by depression or anxiety heart and blood vessel disease, spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis, vulvovaginal atrophy, infections or lichen sclerosus, antidepressants or high blood pressure medications and history of sexual abuse, among others.
Treatment
Tackling low sexual desire in women requires a comprehensive approach. Physical, relationship and emotional aspects have to be addressed.
Women can address this problem by doing the following:
1. Address relationship issues: There is need to work on building emotional intimacy and resolving conflicts. Let your partner know your sensitive areas and let him titillate them until you come alive. If there are conflicts, forget them and only think about intimacy and satisfaction during intercourse.
2. Communicate with your partner: A woman suffering low sexual desire should openly discuss their feelings and desires with their partner. This would help the partner know what to do to make them feel comfortable during intimacy and therefore enjoy it.
Share thoughts, feelings, and desires with each other, establish and maintain a foundation of trust, spend quality time together, engaging in activities that foster connection.
3. Seek professional help and therapy: Women experiencing this should consult a healthcare provider, therapist, or sexologist to identify underlying causes.Sex therapy or counseling can help address underlying psychological or emotional factors.
4. Improve overall health: Women affected should engage in regular exercise, eat balanced diet, and have sufficient sleep, in order to have healthier life
5. Explore stress management: There should be engagement in activities that reduce stress. This can be medication, yoga or deep breathing exercises.
6. Explore sensual activities: Engaging in non-sexual intimate activities, like massage, cuddling, or sensual touch could help to stimulate sexual desires and feelings.
7. Hormone therapy: The issue could be hormone imbalance. Therefore, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be recommended to address this. That is where medical examination comes in.
8. Education and resources: Women should learn about female sexuality, sexual response, and available resources.
