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Dysfunction > Female Sexual Problems
Sexual
Dysfunction :
Female
Sexual Problems
Womens
problems with sexual functioning are often less highlighted than male problems.
Women also have problems which may stop them from fully enjoying intercourse.
When both partners are conscious of each others emotional and physical
feelings, sexual intimacy may be a more pleasurable experience and bring them
closer to each other.
Dispareunia
(uncomfortable or painful sexual intercourse)
Dispareunia
(uncomfortable or painful sexual intercourse) may be caused by several factors:
- allergic
reactions to contraceptive products, lubricants, or other feminine hygiene
products
- pain
deep in the pelvic area during intercourse may be caused by an infection
or other medical problem
- pain
due to an unstretched hymen may be experienced during the first few times
she has intercourse
- penetration
may cause the infection to flare up
- vaginal
infections or irritations may make penetration painful
- Vaginismus
If
pain during intercourse persistently recurs, see your doctor, family planning
clinic or gynecologist.
Insufficient
lubrication of the vagina may cause pain and discomfort and is usually caused
by:
- lack
of arousal
- nervousness
Lubrication of the vagina is also important in making sexual intercourse fully
pleasurable. A spermicidal or water-based
lubricant is the best method of lubrication,especially if you are using condoms.
Never use oil-based lubricants as they break down latex.
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Vaginismus
The
condition of Vaginismus causes strong, involuntary contractions of the vaginal
muscles, specifically of the outer third of the vagina. This has been known
to make penetration sharply painful and may be an unconscious defense against
an uncomfortable sexual situation. Previous unwanted sexual experiences, including
rape, may result in vaginismus. In this case see your health care professionals
or psychotherapists who may be able to suggest treatments and techniques to
help with the problem of painful penetration.
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Help Needed
If
you:
- have deeper more specific sexual problems
- need
to learn how to deal emotionally with sexual issues
- have
problems with addiction to sex, including pornography (find closest Sex
Addicts Anonymous support group)
e.g.,
professional help may be necessary.
Your
health professional or family planning clinic will be able to put you in contact
with a psychologist dealing with such issues and local support groups and
activities available.
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The
Female Orgasm
Women
do report different sensations with orgasm according to whether they are:
- being penetrated (small minority of women, around 20% who orgasmed with
a penis inside the vagina, describe the experience as being less intense
than with masturbation)
- being
masturbated (more pleasurably acute experience, blissful rushing sensation,
multiple contractions of the surrounding tissue)
Masters
and Johnson reported 'stronger contraction spasms and higher rates of heartbeat
during orgasm without intercourse, and especially during masturbation'. Some
women stated they had their best orgasms when masturbating alone.
A
simultaneous orgasm, when both partners come together during penetration offers
the least in terms of sensual awareness. The reason for this is that if both
parties are focused on their own experience the sensation of the partner's
orgasm is largely lost. For a woman, simultaneous orgasm is often followed
by a feeling of disorientation, and a disappointment that lovemaking has come
to an end.
Feeling whole and loved and emotionally satisfied are important aspects of
a good sexual relationship, but these feelings can be experienced whether
orgasm takes place during intercourse or not. What is important is that women
should experience regular masturbation orgasms.
Orgasm:
- relieves tension
- recharges
the body
- revitalizes
the mind
- leaves
the woman feeling sparkling and whole
- represents
the peak of sexual fulfillment and can be a powerful expression of love
when shared with a partner
Many
women are bothered by the idea that there may be two types of orgasm, vaginal
and clitoral. Researchers into sexual response have been much concerned
with the categorization of the female orgasm since Freud's time as to whether
there are really two types of orgasm.
Freud
suggested there were two types of orgasm. He said, 'the orgasm experienced
through clitoral stimulation was the precursor of a deeper, more satisfying
orgasm experienced in the vagina during penetration by the penis'. According
to him, the vaginal orgasm was a 'true, mature' sexual response, while the
clitoral orgasm was its immature inferior.
Kinsey's view of the female orgasm was that 'there was only one type of
orgasm, that it was triggered by clitoral stimulation and involved contractions
of all parts of the female body, including the vagina'. He could not distinguish
a second type of orgasm that centered solely on the vagina, and he refuted
Freud's distinction between 'mature' and 'immature' orgasms. Subsequent
clinical evidence has proved conclusively that Kinsey was right.
Sexologists
now generally agreed that an orgasm is an orgasm. Researcher Helen Kaplan
has come to this conclusion: 'Regardless of how friction is applied to the
clitoris, i.e. by the tongue, by the woman's finger or her partner's, by
a vibrator, or by coitus (intercourse), female orgasm is probably and now
always evoked by clitoral stimulation. However, it is always expressed by
circumvaginal muscle discharge.
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Multiple
and sequential orgasms
- multiple orgasms are those that are experienced one directly after another
- sequential
orgasms are those with a gap of a few minutes between each one
- true
multiple orgasm is extremely rare, although many women are capable of
sequential orgasm
About
90 per cent of women feel completely satisfied with a single orgasm. In many
women the clitoris remains hypersensitive, and further stimulation is uncomfortable
and can even prove painful.
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