Female Sexual Disorder Research Articles

PL-31 Female Sexual Pain Disorders: Its No Longer Only in Their Heads!

PL-31 Female Sexual Pain Disorders: Its No Longer Only in Their Heads!

Internship in Human Sexuality: Educational Perspective for Psychology Students

In Brazil the number of disciplines on human sexuality in universities of psychology is small, and students are not able to work with this approach after graduation. The aim of this abstract was to present an education proposal for an internship in human sexuality in a Brazilian university. It was offered to students on theoretical background on female sexual dysfunction. After the students performed psych-educational approach to female sexuality, with female patients from the university's specialty outpatient clinic. The women responded to the FSQ – Female Sexuality Questionnaire and then received basic guidelines on sexuality. The questionnaire is a five-point numerical rating scale, with 0 indicating “never” and 5 “always”, which assesses the cycle of female sexual response and pain disorders. 154 questionnaires were applied which showed that 39% of women present “always” interest in sex; 25% get “always” orgasm in sexual intercourse; 20% “always” cannot be distracted during sexual intercourse; and 16% have “most of the time” or “always” pain during sexual contact.

Tadalafil once daily: Narrative review of a treatment option for female sexual dysfunctions (FSD) in midlife and older women.

Female Sexual Disorders (FSD) include a complex, multidimensional, individual experience that can change as an individual age, suggesting that these problems are caused by multiple factors including psychosocial factors, personal relationships, pathologic changes caused by diseases, and pharmacologic influences. Menopause is an important time for middle aged women and postmenopausal physiological changes could have a significant role in the development of FSD. Few is still known about their correct definition and treatment. Their incidence, prevalence and risk factors are difficult to define because of a high level of overlap in the experience of problems with desire, arousal, and orgasm. Little evidences are known about the best therapeutic approach, and both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment options have been described. Among these, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors could be an effective option for many subtypes of female sexual disorders, with an improvement in different aspects of sexual function, such as desire, arousal, orgasm and sexual satisfaction. In this paper authors reviewed what is already known about the use of these vasoactive agents, particularly tadalafil, as a treatment option for female sexual disturbances.

010 New Drug for Treatment of Female Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder - Results of Phase I Clinical Study

BP101 is a novel small peptide molecule aiming to restore sexual desire and related functions in women suffering from Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) and related sexual dysfunctions. In the Phase I clinical study BP101 safety/tolerability was assessed first in human, as well as pilot assessment of clinical effect on different aspects of female sexual function in healthy women was performed. 15 adult premenopausal healthy women were treated in 3 sequential dose cohorts (5 subjects per cohort) with daily BP101 intranasal administrations during 2 weeks with subsequent 4-weeks follow-up. 3 doses of BP101 were evaluated: 0.84, 1.68 and 2.52 mg. Adverse events frequency and profile was evaluated using clinical examination, clinical safety laboratory tests (including sex hormones panel) and electrocardiogram assessment. Clinical effect endpoints included changes from baseline to end of study in Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) total score and domain scores, Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and Female Sexual Function questionnaire (Russian).

What's new in the world of postmenopausal sex?

The purpose of this review is to describe new terminology for vulvovaginal atrophy and female sexual dysfunction and to highlight recent findings related to vaginal moisturizers, lubricants and prescription estrogen preparations. Sexual health is a marker for overall health. A minority (40%) of healthcare providers routinely ask about sexual problems and its impact on quality of life. New terminology by the American Psychiatric Association divides female sexual disorders into three categories: arousal/interest disorder, orgasmic disorder and genital pain and penetration disorder. First-line therapy for genitourinary syndrome of menopause includes over-the-counter vaginal lubricants and moisturizers, followed by topical estrogen formulations. Progesterones are generally not needed when topical low-dose estrogen is prescribed. A systemic selective estrogen receptor modulator, designed specifically for genitourinary menopausal symptoms, is an option for patients who do not tolerate local estrogen. Female sexual dysfunction is prevalent and causes distress, particularly among women at midlife. Although hypoactive sexual desire disorder may be the most prevalent dysfunction, dyspareunia and pain, particularly related to genitourinary and vulvovaginal atrophy, are also very common. Over-the-counter lubricants and prescription strength estrogen formulations are generally effective and well tolerated.

Advances in Medical Hypnosis-Hypnotherapeutic Treatment of Female Sexual Disfunction

Objective: Medical hypnotherapy has been recognized as a valid and successful treatment for a vast variety of physical and psychological disorders. It is well documented and researched, that it adds a significant value to all psychotherapeutic modalities and approaches. Clinical hypnotherapy has significant advantages in treating psychosomatic (somatoform disorders) and related issues, because its interventions bypass the critical factor of the mind. Hypnosis also gives us an advantage of reframing cognitive aspects of those resistant attitudes, which may serve as the secondary gain in the prevention of desired behavioural change. Hypnotic language can be regarded as language of primary thinking. Metaphors and visualization techniques play a major role in hypnotic communication. Design and Method: Qualitative case study. Results: Treatment outcome. Conclusions: The complex and multidimensional nature of female sexual disorder(s), allow us to learn how to tap at different hidden internal resources and at the same time cover the widest possible range of hypnotherapeutic interventions. In the given presentation, we will explain how to establish solid rapport with the patient and how to communicate troubled content. We will also explain the nature of sedation without medication, and how to control the pain, and other psychosomatic dysfunctions with the internal resources of the mind. Most learned intervention will also be applicable to a wide variety of psychological and medical conditions, ranging from anxiety reduction to chronic and acute pain management.

Flibanserin and Female Sexual Desire

Female hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is one type of sexual problem that can affect women. It is characterized by low or absent sexual desire that cannot be attributed to another cause and results in difficulty in interpersonal relationships. HSDD is not well understood, and women may not report symptoms of difficulties to their health care providers. In August 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved flibanserin, a nonhormonal oral medication for the treatment of HSDD in premenopausal women. Flibanserin is the only currently available pharmacologic treatment for HSDD. This article will provide an overview of flibanserin, including potential adverse reactions, special considerations for use, and implications for nursing practice.

Why the Sexual Tipping Point® Model?

The editorial thread of Current Sexual Health Reports aspires to cultivate a biopsychosocial-behavioral and cultural perspective for the reader that also results in more healthcare professionals embracing the importance of a transdisciplinary approach that integrates counseling with current and emerging medical/surgical techniques for the treatment of male and female sexual disorders (Perelman in Curr Sex Health Rep, 7(1):1–2, 2015). Supporting a related goal in 2011, the author founded the MAP Education & Research Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to educating healthcare providers that sexual health is more than just biology. The Fund’s website, mapedfund.org, was just launched in order to offer the resources of its Sexual Tipping Point (STP) model for free! It remains critical to advance a model that would help students, professionals, and the public alike understand that sex is always both “Mental And Physical.” All the biopsychosocial-behavioral and cultural models of sexual dysfunction provide a compelling argument for sexual medicine treatments that integrate sex counseling and medical and/or surgical treatments. Given the choice of so many different biopsychosocial-cultural models, why embrace the Sexual Tipping Point model? Perhaps, the greatest advantage of the STP model is the ease with which it provides clinicians as well as their patients (and their partners) with a common sense explanation of sexual problems and potential solutions. At Weill Cornell Medicine, when contemplating the clinical need for understanding etiology, diagnosis, and treatment, we find the Sexual Tipping Point both helpful and convenient.

The Social Construction of Dysfunction and Disorders: What Role Does the Pharmaceutical Industry Play?

There has been widespread controversy regarding the pharmaceutical industry’s motive to promote and sell new drugs pertaining to sexual health. In this paper I will bring up a number of different authors who feel that the definition of ‘sexual health’ has been purposely redefined in order to create a market for a drug whose need is questionable. This paper investigates and raises questions about the veracity of diseases heavily promoted and marketed by the pharmaceutical industry, such as female sexual dysfunction disorder. Is it truly the female equivalent to male erectile dysfunction? Or is it the avaricious creation of pharmaceutical companies in a sly endeavor to increase sales of products like Viagra? Next, I look at the enormous impact pharmaceutical companies have had on shaping our everyday definitions of what is ‘normal’ in terms of sexual functioning. Also, the effects of standardizing diagnosis are considered, and finally, I investigate the costs of reducing sexual dysfunction to a physiological cause and how pharmaceutical industries strive to create a universalized, function-focused sexuality in which physiology dictates sexual conduct.

Flibanserin: a serendipitous story

Female sexual disorders are increasingly being recognized in the population and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is one of the commonest sexual disorders among females. The prevalence of the disease varies between 10-20% in the Caucasian population. Testosterone is the only treatment that is approved by the European Medical Agency. Flibanserin is a drug that has been approved by the US FDA for HSDD among pre-menopausal women in 2015. Flibanserin is a 5-HT1A receptor agonist and 5-HT2A receptor antagonist that rebalances the neural circuitry involved in processing sexual desire by reducing serotonin activity and enhancing dopamine and epinephrine activity. The efficacy of the drug was confirmed in three pivotal randomized placebo control trials in premenopausal women who consumed the drug for 24 weeks. There was a significant improvement in the number of sexually satisfying events. The most common safety concerns for flibanserin as seen in clinical trials were somnolence, hypotension and syncope. The drug is prescribed at a dose of 100 mg once daily at bed time. The marginal efficacy of the drug coupled with other safety concerns, such as hypo-tensions have given room for much criticism over the drug’s approval by the FDA. Nevertheless, on a positive note the serendipitous discovery of flibanserin and its repurposing for HSDD is a compelling narrative in its drug development history. It remains to be seen if the long term safety of the molecule and the efficacy of the molecule in non-trial settings could make it an attractive pharmaco-therapeutic option for HSDD.

Physiotherapy in Treating Sexual Pain Disorders in Women: A Systematic Review

Importance: A lot of women suffer from sexual disfunctions, which most of the times cause pain and discomfort. Many genito-pelvic pain disorders appear in the form of contractions or pelvic floor muscle tension, which makes any type of penetration (sexual, tampons, gynaecological examination tools) impossible. In this condition, a woman cannot control these muscle contractions and experiences moderate to intense pain. Objectives: To summarise published evidence on efficacy of physiotherapy for treating female sexual pain disorders, ways to evaluate the condition of a patient and to find the correct treatment. Evidence review: A literature search of Cochrane, PubMed, Journal of Sexual Medicine and Urogynecology Journal databases, SciELO, Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library and University of Barcelona Library was conducted. Findings: Physiotherapy techniques are used to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and relieve pain. Kegel exercises improve the symptoms of sexual pain disorders as they deal with weakened muscles. Vaginal cones exercises are used to strengthen the muscles by means of introduction of gradually increasing weights in the vagina. Biofeedback helps to increase muscle awareness and auto-evaluation of performed exercises. Thermotherapy relaxes muscles and increases elasticity of tissues which helps to reduce pain. Electro-stimulation improves the functionality of muscles. Myofascial therapy consists mainly in manual therapy and in liberating painful trigger points. Conclusions: The role of pelvic physiotherapy is to solve the problems related to sexual pain, recovering the pelvic floor by increasing muscle awareness and proprioception, improving muscle relaxation, toning the muscles and increasing the elasticity of the tissues in order to eliminate or reduce pain. Different exercise techniques, biofeedback, manual therapy and insertion techniques, as well as electro-stimulation and thermotherapy are used to achieve positive results.

P.8.b.010 The use of SSRI agents in treatment of female sexual desire disorder

P.8.b.010 The use of SSRI agents in treatment of female sexual desire disorder

Treatment of Female Sexual Pain Disorders: A Systematic Review

Sexual pain disorders affect women's sexual and reproductive health and are poorly understood. Although many treatments have been evaluated, there is no one “gold standard” treatment. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate what treatments for female sexual pain have been evaluated in clinical studies and their effectiveness. The search strategy resulted in 65 papers included in this review. The articles were divided into the following categories: medical treatments; surgical treatments; physical therapies; psychological therapies; comparative treatment studies; and miscellaneous and combined treatments. Topical and systemic medical treatments have generally been found to lead to improvements in, but not complete relief of, pain, and side effects are quite common. Surgical procedures have demonstrated very high success rates, although there has been variability in complete relief of pain after surgery, which suggests less invasive treatments should be considered first. Physical therapies and psychological therapies have been shown to be promising treatments, supporting a biopsychosocial approach to sexual pain disorders. Although most of the interventions described have been reported as effective, many women still experience pain. A multidisciplinary team with active patient involvement may be needed to optimize treatment outcome.

Female Sexual Pain Disorders: a Review of the Literature on Etiology and Treatment

Female sexual pain disorders, although highly prevalent and increasingly studied, remain a distressing complaint for women and their partners. Empirical evidence points to a multifactorial conceptualization of the etiology, course, and associated difficulties of sexual pain; thus, treatment options span the medical, pelvic floor rehabilitation psychological and multimodal. Given the interpersonal context in which sexual pain occurs, recent work has underscored the importance of considering the dyadic framework in research and treatment. This review presents understanding from across disciplines focusing on the impact of sexual pain on the woman and the couple, proposed etiologic pathways and risk factors related to its development and course, and current treatment options. Recommendations for research point to an urgency for multidisciplinary exchanges in the development of conceptual models and refinement of targeted interventions.

Neurohormonal aspects of sexual drive in women

The article presents a modern view on women , s sexual health. The reasons for the modern sexual revolution are explained. Various aspects and functional features of the body affecting the quality of sexual life of women are examined. The classification of female sexual disorders is presented. Influence of psychosocial factors on female sexual drive, as well as the role of sex steroids in the coordination of the anatomical and functional relationships of structures responsible for sexual function of women are described. Complex influence of sex hormones and neurotransmitters on sexual function of women; influence of effective hormonal oral contraception on female sexual drive are described. Intake of modern hormonal contraceptives saves reproductive health, enables family planning, and is also identified with the effect of wellbeing and comfort, including sexual. Analysis of the various mechanisms of combined oral contraceptives , effect on sexual activity of women is carried out. It is noted that progestogens in combined oral contraception have a unique specific effect on various tissues and systems of the body, including the sexual function. An assessment of the impact of the amount of estrogen in combined oral contraceptives on sexual function of women is performed. The data are presented on selective antiandrogenic action of chlormadinone acetate – gestogen included in the Belara combined oral contraceptive and not affecting the libido.

An epidemiological study of sexual disorders in south Indian rural population.

Background:Sexuality is an important aspect of the personality of an individual and influences psychological, physical and social well-being of both men and women. It is a paradox, that in the country where ‘kamasutra’ (by Vatsyayana) took birth, there is a lack of research publications and sexuality related literature; hence the current study was conducted, to estimate the prevalence and association of sexual disorders with various socio-demographic variables, in the selected rural population.Materials and Methods:Subjects who were sexually active and fulfilled the study criteria were administered Arizona Sexual Experience Scale as screening tool for the presence of sexual problems. Those who were found to be having sexual problems were interviewed further using appropriate questionnaires.Results:21.15% of the male subjects were diagnosed to have one (or more) sexual disorder. Prevalence of erectile dysfunction was found to be 15.77%, male hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) 2.56%; premature ejaculation was found to be prevalent in 8.76% of the male subjects. Around 14% of the female subjects were diagnosed to have female sexual disorders. Prevalence of female arousal dysfunction was found to be 6.65%, female HSDD 8.87%, female anorgasmia 5.67%, female dyspareunia 2.34% and female sexual aversion disorder was found to be prevalent in 0.37% of the female subjects.Conclusion:This study concluded that one in five males and one in seven females were suffering from one (or more) sexual disorder. Improving the training of undergraduate medical and nursing students in sexuality related issues, increasing trained individuals in sexual medicine by starting new courses, providing sex education to the general population using media and merging sexual health care with primary care, are likely to play a significant role in addressing the increasing sexual health morbidity.

Female sexuality.

Sex is a motive force bringing a man and a woman into intimate contact. Sexuality is a central aspect of being human throughout life and encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy, and reproduction. Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles and relationships. Though generally, women are sexually active during adolescence, they reach their peak orgasmic frequency in their 30 s, and have a constant level of sexual capacity up to the age of 55 with little evidence that aging affects it in later life. Desire, arousal, and orgasm are the three principle stages of the sexual response cycle. Each stage is associated with unique physiological changes. Females are commonly affected by various disorders in relation to this sexual response cycle. The prevalence is generally as high as 35–40%. There are a wide range of etiological factors like age, relationship with a partner, psychiatric and medical disorders, psychotropic and other medication. Counseling to overcome stigma and enhance awareness on sexuality is an essential step in management. There are several effective psychological and pharmacological therapeutic approaches to treat female sexual disorders. This article is a review of female sexuality.

Female sexual pain disorders: dyspareunia and vaginismus.

To analyze literature on sexual pain disorders and to review and summarize the articles published throughout 2013 which contribute to the current knowledge on this subject. By age 40, 7.8% of women reported vulvar pain. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, has combined vaginismus and dyspareunia into the same diagnostic label. The research reviewed in this article seems to differently point toward two conditions, focusing on different aspects both on the etiological and on the treatment area. Higher levels of partner-perceived self-efficacy and lower levels of partner catastrophizing were associated with less pain intensity in women with entry dyspareunia, independent of women's pain perception and self-efficacy. Alexithymia and fear were found to be important etiological factors in vaginismus. The present findings did not provide clear evidence in support of the superiority of any treatment and highlight the need for randomized, placebo-controlled trials that compare treatments in the future. A lot of work remained to be done to understand such a complex and multifaceted disturbance as genital sexual pain, but the articles examined showed that we are slowly adding more knowledge on the etiological cause and treatment models for such conditions.

On the definition of female sexual interest/arousal disorder.

On the definition of female sexual interest/arousal disorder.

Hypoactive sexual desire in women

This review aims to describe low sexual desire (1) as a construct within theoretical models of female sexual response, (2) as a sexual disorder with evolving or competing nosology between the DSM-IV-TR and the DSM 5, and (3) as a clinical condition that healthcare providers need to manage, and the current status of treatment options. We conducted a literature review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of low sexual desire/hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). The prevalence rate of low sexual desire is high, reaching 43%, whereas that of HSDD comes close to 10%. The DSM 5 categories of female sexual disorders include female sexual interest/arousal disorder, which is a combination of the DSM-IV-TR disorders HSDD and female sexual arousal disorder. Treatment paradigms vary and are individualized based on the biopsychosocial components of desire that are compromised in a woman. The two primary approaches to treating HSDD are psychotherapy/sex therapy (individual or couples) and pharmacotherapy. To date, there are no Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmacologic treatments. However, four investigational drugs are in mid- to late-stage clinical trial development. Low sexual desire is the most prevalent sexual problem in women and should be assessed and treated by healthcare professionals. Currently, there are only modest evidence-based nonpharmacologic treatment options and no approved pharmacologic options. Despite these treatment limitations, healthcare providers can address many of the sexual health concerns of women.