Comprehensive Care for the Full Spectrum of Female Sexual Health Disorders

The female sexual health team at University Hospitals believes that sexual concerns are treatable medical conditions that must be evaluated and managed for a woman to achieve optimal health and well-being.

Our multidisciplinary team assesses a woman’s sexual function, which can be affected by a combination of factors, including:

• Biological: Sexual function is influenced by hormones like estrogen and testosterone and brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin, and the hormonal changes that occur from childbirth and menopause.
• Psychological: The personal, cultural and religious beliefs you were raised with can affect sexual desire and function. So can sexual trauma, past relationships, and mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
• Physical: There are many physical conditions that can contribute to sexual dysfunction including postpartum birth injuries, dermatological conditions, cancer treatment and chronic diseases like epilepsy.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Female Sexual Conditions

Our team conducts a thorough evaluation of each patient to develop a personalized treatment plan. Common conditions that can affect a woman’s sexual health include:

• Arousal problems: A lack of response to sexual stimulation.
• Dermatological conditions
• Dyspareunia: Difficult or painful sexual intercourse.
• Fecal incontinence
• Gender identity dysphoria
• Genital trauma and/or mutilation
• Low libido/low desire (hypoactive sexual desire disorder)
• Menopausal changes/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: Hormonal and psychological changes during or after menopause can lead to vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary symptoms and changes in sex drive.
• Orgasmic disorders: An inability to orgasm or pain with orgasm.
  • Anorgasmia: Difficulty reaching orgasm, even when there is sufficient sexual arousal and stimulation
  • Dysorgasmia: Pain that is experienced during or after orgasm
• Painful intercourse
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Pelvic pain
• Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD): the prolonged feeling of arousal or arousal at times when it is not intended.
• Postpartum birth injuries
• Sexual dysfunction in cancer survivors: specialized care for women who have gone through or are going through cancer treatments and want to restore their sexuality.
• Urinary incontinence
• Vulvo-vaginal disorders

Sexual dysfunction may also occur as a result of anxiety, depression, hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy and thyroid disorders, or the medications used to treat them. Our team will include relevant recommendations in your treatment plan or refer you to a specialist who can help.

Personalized Sexual Health Treatment Plans for Every Woman

At University Hospitals, our female sexual health specialists know that most sexual health concerns can be successfully treated with a combination of therapies. Our first step is always to get to know the whole woman, so we can develop a targeted treatment plan to improve sexual health and quality of life.

Treatments may include:

• Hormone replacement therapy. Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone supplements can support sexual health and well-being or be used locally in the form of creams or suppositories to improve vaginal dryness and urinary symptoms.
• Non-hormonal treatment options. For women who prefer to avoid hormones, there are many other options available.
• Cognitive therapy and couples counseling. Our sensitive and highly trained therapists work with women and couples to understand and address any interpersonal factors that may be affecting sexual health.
• Laser treatment. For some women, laser treatment can be just as effective as medication to improve vulvo-vaginal symptoms.
• Medication. There are several FDA-approved medications to increase sexual desire in women who qualify.
• Medical devices. For some vaginal conditions, the use of vaginal dilators may be recommended to increase blood flow to the vagina and gradually stretch the tissues and muscles.
• Nerve blocks. Some types of pelvic pain can be treated by numbing the nerves that cause the pain.
• Surgery. When genital injury or prolapse has occurred, our team has the expertise to perform a wide range of surgical procedures, including clitoral and vulvar reconstruction.
• Gender affirmation surgery. If gender identity is a factor, our team works with highly trained and specialized reconstructive urologists and plastic surgeons to perform the surgery and guide you through this important transition.
• Clinical trials. Our patients have access to clinical trials of innovative treatments and therapies that focus on finding new ways to help women with sexual health concerns.