Chronic, persistent problems either with discomfort during sex, your sex drive, or both, could be signs of treatable dysfunction.

Sexual dysfunction can have a psychological basis or biological basis, or both. Anxiety, depression, and a history of sexual abuse, domestic violence, or conflicts with your partner can all make it much more difficult to enjoy sex.

If there’s no psychological issue affecting your interest in sex, there may be an underlying physical issue with your body’s sexual response. Common factors include medications, certain conditions, hormone imbalances, and age-related changes.

Common conditions that may contribute to the development of sexual dysfunction in women include cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Any condition that impacts blood flow negatively can cause dryness and discomfort during intercourse.

If addressing the underlying causes of your sexual dysfucntion still doesn’t get you where you want to be, there is still hope. Below, we asked our expert, Dr. John Macey, to explain what treatments are available for women who are suffering from sexual dysfunction.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Both estrogen and testosterone play an important role in libido and the health of your vaginal tissue.

Women who suffer from low estrogen are more likely to suffer from vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy, and pain during intercourse. Women who suffer from low levels of androgens are more likely to experience low libido. Menopause causes a drop in hormone production, which is a common culprit in sexual dysfunction among postmenopausal women.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is highly customized depending on what hormones are out of balance and can be administered via pills, patches, injections, or creams. HRT is safe for most women, but it’s not appropriate for everyone. If you have a history of blood clotting disorders or hormone-related cancer, you may not be an ideal candidate for HRT.

Vaginal rejuvenation

Not everyone is a good candidate for HRT or wants to use hormones for long periods. Vaginal rejuvenation can accomplish some of the goals HRT does, namely fighting the degeneration that occurs in the vaginal tissues due to aging or low estrogen.

Dr. Macey uses the MonaLisa Touch® laser wand to stimulate collagen in the vaginal tissues and reduce pain and discomfort during intercourse. The procedure is painless, but you may feel some discomfort and tingling during the treatment.

For best results, you may need two or more treatments spaced a few weeks apart and a yearly maintenance treatment after achieving your goals.

Good candidates for vaginal rejuvenation suffer from pain, discomfort, and poor lubrication during intercourse. The procedure can improve these problems and in turn allow you to feel more comfortable during sex, which often leads to an improvement in sex drive.

Getting help

If you suspect that you’re suffering from a condition that could be causing problems in your intimate life, contact us to schedule an appointment. Dr. Macey will review your medical records and put together a tailored plan to treat your symptoms.