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Table of Contents

Signs and Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Treatment

Coping

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Female sexual arousal disorder affects different people to varying degrees, and it can also happen due to a variety of factors. These factors include medications, age, negative experiences, chronic illness, and even natural hormone fluctuations.

If you feel like you haven’t heard much about this, you would be correct. This topic it hasn’t been studied for that long.

InThe Handbook of Sexual Dysfunction, the authors note that a lot of research is being done on female sexual arousal disorder in the present day, mainly because female sexual issues have been swept to the side throughout history. However, this book also notes that research has been slower in this area because many cultures and religions see it as taboo, especially for women, to talk about sex and sexuality.

Below, we’ll walk through how to recognize the symptoms so that you can better understand when it’s time to seek help. We’ll also talk about how it’s diagnosed, the different ways it’s treated, and even the best ways of coping with this disorder in your day-to-day life.

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Signs and Symptoms of Female Sexual Arousal Disorder

Below are three categories of arousal. They are based on clinical studies, and professionals use them to determine if someone has female sexual arousal disorder:

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Diagnosing Female Sexual Arousal Disorder

According to doctors, you need to seek medical attention if you are experiencing an absence or severe decrease in more than three of the items below:

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What Causes Female Sexual Arousal Disorder?

Medical research has shown that sexual arousal disorder can often be due to changes in hormones.This is especially important to remember if you are pregnant, postpartum, going through or nearingmenopause, or currently on ornear your period.

Other physical factors can include changes in sex hormone levels, which often occur as we age. In addition, certain prescription drugs can contribute to sexual arousal disorder. For example, beta-blockers orselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor(SSRIs) antidepressants can commonly cause sexual side effects.

Chronic diseaseslike diabetes and multiple sclerosis can cause damage to autonomic or somatic nerves. This can result in a loss or decrease in sensation around the genitals.

In all of these cases,communicationwith your sexual partners is super important, and a lack can actually contribute to sexual arousal disorder.

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Treatment for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder

Doctors have found that a combination of treatments works best when helping someone with sexual arousal disorder. The three most common types of treatment are:

It is also important to note that if you are feeling pain during intercourse, you need to see a gynecologist for an evaluation.

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Coping With Sexual Arousal Disorder

While there are therapies, medicines, and educational routes that you can take to treatment, it’s also super important to establish and maintain an open line of communication with your partner. A healthy, understanding relationship will be a major factor in working through sexual experiences.

Research has foundthat themotivation to please a partnerhas increased positive outcomes for sexual encounters. This is another reason why it might be helpful to seek out a sex therapist that works with you and your partner to establish and reach common goals.

If you’re looking for a sex therapist that can work with you on an individual level, or for someone who can work with you and your partner, make sure you check the databases of therapists available at theAmerican Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT)and theAmerican College of Sexologists.

Keep in Mind

Dealing with female sexual arousal disorder can be discouraging and seemingly hopeless at times, but please keep working with doctors and therapists until you find a treatment plan that works for you. Always make sure to advocate for your own happiness, and make sure that your partner wants to advocate for your happiness as well.

While using a combination of therapy, medication, and education-based treatments may sound daunting, try to remember that your happiness and contentment are worth it.

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3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Laan E, Everaerd W.Female Sexual Arousal Disorder.Handbook of Sexual Dysfunction.:124-125.Conn A, Hodges KR.Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder.Merck Manual Gynecology and Obstetrics.Amanda Bockaj, Natalie O. Rosen & Amy Muise (2019)Sexual Motivation in Couples Coping with Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder: A Comparison with Control Couples, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 45:8, 796-808, DOI:10.1080/0092623X.2019.1623356

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Laan E, Everaerd W.Female Sexual Arousal Disorder.Handbook of Sexual Dysfunction.:124-125.Conn A, Hodges KR.Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder.Merck Manual Gynecology and Obstetrics.Amanda Bockaj, Natalie O. Rosen & Amy Muise (2019)Sexual Motivation in Couples Coping with Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder: A Comparison with Control Couples, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 45:8, 796-808, DOI:10.1080/0092623X.2019.1623356

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Laan E, Everaerd W.Female Sexual Arousal Disorder.Handbook of Sexual Dysfunction.:124-125.Conn A, Hodges KR.Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder.Merck Manual Gynecology and Obstetrics.Amanda Bockaj, Natalie O. Rosen & Amy Muise (2019)Sexual Motivation in Couples Coping with Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder: A Comparison with Control Couples, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 45:8, 796-808, DOI:10.1080/0092623X.2019.1623356

Laan E, Everaerd W.Female Sexual Arousal Disorder.Handbook of Sexual Dysfunction.:124-125.

Conn A, Hodges KR.Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder.Merck Manual Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Amanda Bockaj, Natalie O. Rosen & Amy Muise (2019)Sexual Motivation in Couples Coping with Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder: A Comparison with Control Couples, Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 45:8, 796-808, DOI:10.1080/0092623X.2019.1623356

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