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Finding ways to a lasting Orgasm
 An
estimated 30 to 39 percent of women in any given population will report little
or no interest in
sex at any given time in their lives. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD),
more commonly referred to as low sex drive or libido is a deficiency or absence
of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity, as defined by the American
Psychiatric Association (APA).
During life’s biggest physical and emotional changes — perimenopause, postpartum
phases, and
menopause — our reproductive hormones can become imbalanced. This is when
lots of women first experience low sex drive, fatigue, insomnia,
hot flashes, mood swings,
weight gain, and even digestive issues, all common symptoms of fluctuating
hormones.
We know that virtually every woman can climax – and indeed have
multiple climaxes – if the circumstances of her life are right. And these
circumstances usually include having a caring, understanding partner who's
knowledgeable about sex and who uses that knowledge to help her relax and to
reach orgasm.
"The average age of menopause in American women is 50.2 years of
age. Women live, one average, to 80. So, she spends a third of her
life dealing with menopause," Johnson said. "By the year 2030, 1.2
billion women globally will be in menopause, and women are living
longer and longer. So, this is a growing, major problem for female
patients."
Kenneth e. Johnson, DO, FACOOG, Chair, Dept. of Ob/GYN – Nova
Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine
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This article looks into the possible reasons for the fall in sex drive, and how
to get back on track:
-
 Lack
of adequate knowledge of your physical Being: Understanding the physical
changes that are occurring helps you make practical choices, so you can create a
sex life that suits you now — one that can be — believe it or not — better
than ever. At some point in their lives, approximately 50% of women experience
thinning, tightening, dryness, and atrophy (a decrease in
muscle mass) in the vulva and vagina. These changes can cause irritation,
soreness, itching, and severe pain during sex, as well as embarrassing urinary
frequency and urgency. Women who’ve been unassertive about their sexuality in
the past may be prepared to sacrifice their sex lives rather than speak up now
about their sexual needs.
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Balance between the sex hormones: The
estrogen, progesterone, and
testosterone. Drifting away from 40 causes a decline in
ovarian estrogen production, however, the body is designed to
produce adequate estrogen from secondary sites, such as
subcutaneous fat and the adrenal glands, as long as you provide
the raw materials and support. Dietary adjustments,
nutritional supplements, and targeted endocrine support are
key parts of a combination approach to help symptoms that impair
a woman’s libido. Testosterone is fundamental to our sex drive
because it influences the entire “circle of sex”: interest,
arousal, sexual response, lubrication, and
orgasm. Normally, estrogen levels fall relatively quickly in
women after menopause, while testosterone levels taper off more
slowly. This leaves us comparatively “testosterone dominant”
after our change of life, while men trend in the opposite
general direction.
-
 Stress:
The biggest obstacles to optimal sex hormone production is chronic
stress.
Under stress, progesterone, the precursor molecule to testosterone, is converted
into stress hormones instead of sex hormones. And over time, this switchover
results in lower testosterone levels and reduced libido, among many other
possible health problems. Testosterone production in women takes place in both
the ovaries and adrenal glands. Some women maintain good testosterone production
throughout peri-menopause and menopause, and with few complaints. They may have
better adrenal function and healthier metabolism due to good
nutrition and a less stressful lifestyle.
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The partner Component: one of the biggest reasons women have arousal
problems are because they don’t understand how their bodies work, they can’t
communicate what they want to their partners, and their partners aren’t very
good at arousing them. Many women don’t realize that their body needs foreplay
in order to feel sexual excitement. Instead, some women think moving forward
with intercourse is all they need to become aroused and have an orgasm. As a
couple becomes overly familiar, they lose the mystery and lack of predictability
that once facilitated sexual excitement.
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The medication Factor: Medications can also interfere with
the ability to experience orgasm. Many antidepressants,
including Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil have a high propensity to
cause such problems. In addition, antipsychotic drugs such as
Haldol, Thorazine and Mellaril can cause inability to reach
orgasm and Valium may delay orgasm. Fortunately there are other
antidepressants (Wellbutrin SR) and antipsychotic drugs (Zyprexa
and Seroquel), which don't seem to cause inability to experience
orgasm. Antihypertensive drugs may also interfere with orgasm.
Hints to Boost Libido:
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Take an outing to an upscale sex shop with a group of
friends, or go by yourself — the products there will amuse you,
you may be pleasantly surprised by, and interested in, the
offerings there. There are good over-the-counter lubricants,
such as Wet, Silk, Astroglide, Senselle and K-Y Jelly. These are
all suitable, by the way, for any age of woman.
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Check out the latest books about sex. If you’re too
embarrassed to browse the shelves at your local bookstore, check
out some online bookshops.
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Entertain some new techniques with your partner, or on your
own — maybe something outside your comfort zone but still safe.
-
 Watch
an erotic movie with your partner or by yourself, and notice what
turns you on. Or watch a movie with one of your favorite actors — whoever
you classify as “eye candy”!
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Adding or changing medication. Sometimes the problem of HSDD
can be solved simply by changing medications, from an older psychoactive drug
that interferes with sexual desire, for example, to one of the newer drugs with
fewer side effects. The addition of some drugs for underlying conditions.
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Practicing sound
nutrition to support physical and
emotional health - a diet rich in estrogenic food (soy, apples,
alfalfa,
cherries, potatoes, rice, wheat and yams).
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Taking steps to get regular, restorative sleep.
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 Exercising,
to build energy and stamina, both elements of libido.
Exercise can also directly reduce menopausal symptoms.
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Healing old emotional wounds, and being aware that stress takes
both an emotional and physical toll on your libido. Your sexual desire may
diminish or even disappear temporarily, but it can and will come back. We
see it happen all the time! That’s why reducing physical symptoms by
restoring hormonal balance and supporting your emotional health are so
important.
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Understanding that your self-image and sexual identity evolve
throughout your life. It’s a gift to allow yourself to be (and look like)
the woman you really are.
Your sexuality is an expression of your creative life force, with great
influence on your health and well-being.
Reference:
- WF Team
Dated 09 November 2011
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