women s health issues
Sexual Interest Arousal Disorder
Causes of Sexual Interest Arousal Disorder
The cause of sexual interest/arousal disorder is often not known. Known causes are Psychological factors, such as a lack of communication between partners and other relationship problems, depression, anxiety, negative sexual self-image stress, and distractions Unsatisfying sexual experiences Physical factors, such as certain chronic disorders, menopause, Symptoms after menopause , certain medications, fatigue, and debility Certain chronic disorders (such as Types of Diabetes Complications or Use of certain medications, including Medications for Treatment of Depression (particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), opioids, some Many women experience a decrease in sexual interest after menopause due to the natural aging process or surgical removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy).Estrogenandprogesteronelevels decrease significantly after menopause.Testosteronedecreases gradually with age but does not change suddenly at menopause. However, overall, sexual interest/arousal disorder is as common among young healthy women as it is among older women. Still, changes in sex hormones sometimes cause lack of interest. For example, in young healthy women, sudden drops in levels of sex hormones, as may occur during the first few weeks Sexual Dysfunction During Pregnancy and Postpartum , may cause sexual interest to decrease. In middle-aged and older women, sexual desire may decrease, but a connection between the decrease and hormones has not been proven. The decrease inestrogenthat occurs at menopause can cause genitourinary syndrome of menopause (which causes symptoms affecting the vagina, vulva, and urinary tract). In this syndrome, the tissues of the vagina can become thin, dry, and have difficulty stretching. As a result, intercourse can be uncomfortable or painful. Women with this syndrome may also feel a compelling need to urinate (urinary urgency) and have frequent urinary tract infections. These symptoms make women less interested in sex. Inadequate sexual stimulation can also contribute to sexual interest/arousal disorder. Young healthy women are as likely to have sexual interest/arousal disorder as older women. 