Sexual disorders [men and women]

Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD)

Sexual Desire Disorder:
You don't feel "in the mood" for sexual activity. If there is a deficiency or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity. More commonly referred to as low sex drive or libido, a recent survey found that this affects 33.4% of American women between the ages of 18-59.

Sexual Orgasmic Disorder:
You have difficulty achieving orgasms or don't have them at all. The same survey found that this affects 24.1% of American women between the ages of 18-59.

Sexual Pain Disorder:
You experience pain during intercourse. The same survey found that this affects 14.4% of American women between the ages of 18-59 and that this was the only condition to show a relationship to age (it decreases as women get older).

Sexual Arousal Disorder:
You have trouble becoming vaginally lubricated or "wet" and/or your sexual sensations are diminished.
Key Areas Influencing the Human Sexual Response

There are various causes of these disorders

Chemical:
Neurotransmitters involved are nitric oxide (helps dilate blood vessels), dopamine, vasoactive intestinal peptide and prostaglandins.

Hormonal:
Low testosterone levels reduce sex drive in both men and women.

Physical:
Female sexual dysfunction is often due to physical or sexual pain.

Psychological:
Stress and depression reduce sex drive in both men and women. For example, the sex drive in men is lowered when he has difficulty earning an adequate income or providing for his family.

Relationship:
Sexual problems may be a function of relationship issues.

Vascular:
Hardening of the arteries reduce blood flow and leads to difficulty with arousal.

There are five major areas involved in male and female sexual health:

1. Mental and Psychological
The causes of psychological sexual dysfunction and poor sexual health are numerous, and it is difficult to pinpoint, but most often low libido is related to depression, performance anxiety, marital stress or relationship problems, life crisis, financial difficulties, religious repression, or some type of mental illness. return of sexual health is possible through various forms of therapy, stress release, vacation, etc.

2. Hormonal
Important to sexual health and good libido are androgens, such as testosterone which declines in men by about 1 percent each year, contributing to lower male libido with aging. Testosterone also declines with age in women leading to a decrease in female libido. Women who have had surgical removal of the ovaries notice a drop in sexual interest. Return of sexual health through androgen replacement may be helpful to those with age related sexual dysfunction. Testosterone is available by prescription only. Over-the-counter hormones, such as DHEA and Pregnenolone, convert to testosterone having a positive influence on libido.

3. Vascular
Changes in blood flow to and from the penis caused by medical conditions such as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries, high cholesterol, hypertension, or diabetes are common causes of male erectile dysfunction. These conditions reduce blood flow to the penis and genital organs leading to difficulty with erection or genital swelling. Good sexual health may be once again achieved with proper diet and exercise. Additionally penile injury, surgery or excessive sitting on a bicycle can impede blood flow. Studies show that men who mountain bike several thousand miles a year suffer scrotal damage that could reduce their fertility.

4. Neural
Disorders such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke affect the brain’s ability to respond to sexual stimulation due to nerve damage. In women, abdominal or pelvic operations can occasionally lead to nerve damage. Sexual dysfunction is common in men undergoing surgical treatment for prostate enlargement or C.

5. Chemical
Some chemicals involved in the human sexual response and libido include dopamine, acetylcholine, and nitric oxide. Sexual enhancement is quite likely through manipulation of these brain chemicals by using natural herbs.