Female Sexual Arousal
What happens when a woman is sexually aroused?
During sexual arousal, there is increased blood flow to the genital area, which then results in engorgement of the genital tissue--the clitoris and the labia. The vaginal wall becomes dilated, and there is a transudate, or an excretion of fluid, across the vaginal wall, which results in lubrication. So blood flow is part of arousal, and blood flow is essential for vaginal lubrication.
What is 'female sexual arousal disorder'?
Female sexual arousal disorder is defined as lack of genital blood flow or lubrication and swelling responses that causes the woman person distress. These would be women that complain of decreased lubrication, lack of warmth and tingling in the genital area, diminished sensation in the genital area during sexual stimulation.
Do doctors ever prescribe oxytocin for sexual arousal problems?
A doctor can prescribe oxytocin off label by a compounding pharmacy. They need to feel comfortable with the dosing of it and the administering of it but it is safe. It is short acting so it doesn't last for hours, and for the most part it's very well tolerated.
How important is foreplay for sexual arousal?
I would say in terms of sexual arousal and foreplay, adequate foreplay is essential for a woman to become aroused. So whatever that entails, and every woman is different. Some women enjoy, you know, breast sensations, others enjoy, you know, lower body sensations, whatever it is. But they do require sexual stimulation, foreplay to become aroused, and without sexual stimulation and foreplay, often times the sexual experience is not satisfying.
Is testosterone therapy safe?
There are risks associated with any medication. The risks and side effects associated with testosterone are the same as they are in men: weight gain, hair growth, oily skin, acne-- all of which, by the way, are reversible. Hair loss is a potential side effect. Coarsening, or hoarsening of the voice is a side effect that is not reversible. That happens when levels get too high, when patients are not monitored closely for side effects and levels. And then finally, increase in size of the clitoris and/or labia can be a side effect of testosterone therapy. There are other blood, hematological, side effects - increase in red blood cells and some cardiovascular changes, although studies have shown that testosterone has a positive effect on lipids. So those are the negative side effects and those generally occur when levels aren't monitored and patients aren't monitored closely for side effects. Typically, the worst side effects that I've seen are some hair growth and some oily skin and a lot of women are willing to forego the hair growth for the positive effects of the testosterone.
What can Viagra or 'sildenafil' do for a women?
Viagra or sildenafil is a medication that is used to enhance genital blood flow in men. It is a FDA approved treatment for Male Erectile Dysfunction. It is used and can be used off label to enhance female sexual arousal or engorgement. It is not a libido medication, it was purely developed and designed to enhance arousal as well as orgasm.
When is Viagra a good option for a woman?
Viagra is an option in women who are hormonally replete, who have received hormone replacement therapy, and who are experiencing arousal problems. Viagra can be used as an adjunct to enhance arousal and orgasm in those women, and then, also, in younger, premenopausal or premenopausal women who are experiencing arousal problems.
What are the side effects of Viagra for women?
Well the side affects of Viagra can be flushing of the face, redness of the face, headache, some nausea, and abdominal upset. And in some rare case some visual changes or visual disturbances. I'd say the biggest drawback is that women have such high expectations, and they think that it's you know, going to cure all their problems. And you know there is no pill that's going to make everything perfect. That this is a complicated problem. There are a lot of factors involved and we need to take all that into account.
Does hormone replacement improve a menopausal woman's sex drive?
During menopause when a woman becomes menopausal, there is a dramatic decline in both estrogen as well as testosterone levels and hormone replacement therapy, aside from the risks, does definitely help improve if not restore sexual function, being libido, arousal, as well as orgasm. Not to mention helping with weight gain, helping with sleep, helping with hot flashes and night sweats, helping with memory, and helping with mood.
Are sex toys a good way for couples to get the woman aroused?
I think in terms of using sex toys, I tell couples that they can incorporate that into their sexual relationship or use them individually. It's really couple-defined. There are some women that can't achieve orgasm except with a vibrator and often times are recommended they use that during their sexual relationship. But the best thing about sexual toys is that it allows women to explore her sexual function response along to determine what pleases her, what excites her, what works, what doesn't work such that she can then communicate that to her partner. Because men don't intinctly know and it really requires us to be able to, you know, verbalize that. And if we don't know, obviously he's not going to know.
What is 'VENIS' or 'Very Erotic Non Insertive Sex'?
Very erotic non insertive sex is basically another way of talking about good foreplay and that a sexual encounter does not have to end up in sexual intercourse. And that taking intercourse out of the equation can oftentimes help to enhance intimacy and enhance and heighten arousal.
Why and how should a woman's G-spot be aroused?
The G-spot is an area of increased nerve density in the upper anterior, the upper front third of the vagina. And that is sensitive to pressure or traction and is erotic and pleasurable. So I encourage women to explore their bodies, vaginally and otherwise to try and find the G-spot. It is different in everybody, I can't tell you exactly where it is but it is an area of increased nerve density and nerve sensation, that traction, pressure or pulling on that area can cause arousal and orgasm and/or enhance arousal and orgasm.
