Sexual health problems in women include any problems that interfere with the ability of women to experience sexual gratification or satisfaction. For any sexual health problem to be considered as a dysfunction, persistent symptoms should be present and these should adversely affect the woman. Sexual health problems in women may include difficulties and problems with desire, problems with arousal and orgasm as well. According to the statistics as many as 43% of women in the United States have experienced some sexual health problem. Some women are able to enjoy sex initially but later on experience sexual problems while for some women the problems may start early. Some women experience sexual problems during their mid life because of changes that the body experiences following the onset of menopause. Here are some of the sexual problems that many women face:

Sexual Desire Disorder
Such a disorder includes a reduced or absolute lack of sexual desire. This is also called low libido. A lowered sexual desire may be caused because of several factors such as use of oral contraceptives, use of medications such as tranquilizers, antidepressants, stress etc.

Sexual Arousal Disorders
Several changes take place in the body of a woman when she is sexually aroused. These changes include moistening in the vagina, swelling of labia and sometimes problems in these arousal mechanisms can be seen. In these disorders a lack of lubrication in the vagina may be seen.

Orgasmic Disorders
The orgasm serves as the peak of a sexual response in a woman and in this the muscles of the uterus and the vagina contract. A lack of orgasm can sometimes be seen in women and is called as anorgasmia or female orgasmic disorder. Such a lack of orgasm may be caused because of physical and psychological factors. Some of the common causes for women failing to achieve orgasm include excessive stress, depression, anxiety and other medical conditions such as incontinence. Some medications such as antipsychotics and antihypertensive drugs are also known to cause anorgasmia.

Sexual Pain Disorders
Many women complain of pain during intercourse and this is known as dyspareunia. It refers to pain within the vagina and ****oris or the labia and such pain occurs because of vaginal contact, penetration or even from sexual stimulation. There are different causes of dyspareunia and another very common form of sexual pain disorder is known as vulvodynia. This refers to painful burning, itching and stinging of the vulva. Another sexual problem seen in women includes vaginismus. In this the vaginal muscles tighten following persistent and continuous spasms in the outer third part of the vagina. This results in dyspareunia on penetration.

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
In this problem there is a marked and continuous absence of desire and sexual fantasy among women.

Many women experience sexual health problems and sexual dysfunction at the onset of menopause. During this period there is a general reduction in interest in sex and the sexual response also diminishes. Changes in the tissue within the vagina occur and these changes include dryness, a burning sensation and all this may cause sex to become painful. Sexual dysfunction in women may also be caused because of serious ailments such as cancer either gynecologic or breast cancer. Breast cancer can cause deep psychological impact on a woman since breasts are such an integral part of a woman’s self image. Other physical problems such as pelvic injuries, endocrine problems can also impact sexual health in women. Past sexual trauma in the form of rape or sexual abuse can also play a big role in possible sexual health problems in women.