Sex is a topic many women don’t necessarily feel comfortable discussing, but doctors say it’s time for women to understand its importance and focus on their sexual health wellness.
We live in a time where sex has dominated our culture; however, a lot of women will tell you the constant sexual images depicted in the media don’t represent reality.
“I noticed two years ago, my sexual desire had dropped. I wasn't compatible with my partner,” said Nanette Cambra.
She admits she didn't understand what was wrong with her.
“It was affecting our marriage. He felt not attractive. It was awful,” Cambra said.
“There are many problems like low libido, lack of sexual motivation, body image issues, low sexual self-esteem, problems with orgasm, difficulty with arousal and sometimes painful intercourse,” said Dr. Shannon Chavez, a sex therapist at SHE.
Sound familiar? But how do you know when these issues are medical problems and not just lack of interest in your spouse?
“Communicate. Couples don't talk enough about sex. They talk a lot about finances, kids, jobs, but sex is really important for the key to intimacy to keeping things alive,” Chavez said.
Aside from treating the mind, SHE does complex medical testing on your body.
“We really look at all the areas that can affect sexual function and sexual performance whether it's hormonal, vascular, neurologic, tissue integrity,” said Dr. Debra Wickman, a board certified gynecologist at SHE.
After hormone replacement and therapy with Dr. Chavez, Nanette said she feels whole again.
“It saved my marriage," she said.
So how do you know when it's time to get medical attention?
Dr. Chavez said to pay attention to the language you use when describing your concerns.
If you consider it a "problem" or "issue" and it's causing you distress, she said it's time to address it.
DrJCA1 posted at 12:27 pm on Mon, Oct 22, 2012.
While attending medical school on the east coast, I had the privelige of working with a very famous sex researcher. The causes of sexual dysfunction and dis-satisfaction are many - medical, psychological, hormonal, social environment, family situation, etc. One cause that is hardle ever brought up or discussed, even with professionals, is the boredom factor. When anything is new, it is very exciting - be it a car, house, toy, or relationship. After a while it becomes routine (not bad), then it becomes boring (again, not bad). You can have a good relationship with someone but it can become very boring. This feeling often translates into a "failure" on your part so you just don't discuss it with anyone. No matter how many "games" a couple plays, how many scenarios they act out, or how many different toys or positions they try, it is still the same person next to you. This is part of the reason cheating is so common. Our blind surveys revealed about 25% of men and women actually cheated (this was back in the late 60's - about the same as the latest study). The saddest part (or most interesting) was that over 75% said they would cheat if they knew for sure that they could absolutely get away with it and their spouse would never find out. Humans, huh?