Women’s Sexual Health: What No One Tells Us (Women's Health Matters Article) (Web resource; WHM resource) Author: Karen Ramlall Organization: Women's College Hospital, Women's Health Matters Does size matter? Well not if you don’t even know what the actual size is. That was exactly the situation less than 10 years ago, when Australian researchers discovered that the clitoris was much larger than originally thought. And that’s a good example of the state of research into women’s sexual health and women’s sexual health disorders, said Lisa Martinez, executive director of The Women’s Sexual Health Foundation. ‘We don’t have many answers to the questions about what causes a woman to lose her desire for sex,’ Martinez said. ‘There has been little research into this area of women’s health and limited attention given to this issue by health professionals.’ The Foundation is trying to fill the gap by providing women, and their health care providers, with information about sexual disorders and advocating for more research in this area. During her presentation at the 2007 Women’s Health Matters Forum & Expo in Toronto, Martinez revealed to the audience that she started the Foundation after struggling with her own sexual health problems and finding little information available. ‘While sitting in my doctor’s office one afternoon, I had one woman tell me that she had spent 20 years trying to understand and find a solution to her problem,’ Martinez said. ‘While I had the wherewithal to find help, I know not everyone does. My goal for starting the Foundation was to begin to fill the information gap.’ It is also important to reassure women that they are not alone with these problems, Martinez added. ‘What we hear from women is a lot of anger and a lot of frustration. We want to be able to reassure them that they are not alone and that these are real problems.’ What can impact our sexual health? Sexual health problems can take a number of forms and be the result of a number of factors. Martinez said by understanding the symptoms and possible causes, women can take the first step toward finding a solution. The following are just some conditions that may result in sexual dysfunction: Hypoactive sexual disorder Much more than a normal decrease in sexual desire, this condition is a persistent or recurrent deficiency in sexual desire. Orgasmic disorder Women who experience persistent or recurrent difficulty or delay in or absence of attaining an orgasm following sufficient sexual stimulation and arousal may have orgasmic disorder. Medications Women who take medications for depression, high blood pressure, heart conditions and even antihistamines can experience lowered sexual desire. Often, women will not make the connection between the medication and the reduction in sexual desire. High blood pressure This condition may lead to sexual health problems and, in combination with the possible side effects of medications to treat the condition, may leave women with drastically reduced sexual desire. Menopause For some women menopause makes them feel ‘liberated’ because they are no longer worried about becoming pregnant, Martinez said. Other women experience problems, such as vaginal dryness, that may lead to sexual dysfunction. Finding the answers The one theme that is consistent in all of these situations is the stress that the disorder causes, Martinez said. However, one of the important things to remember is that if you are experience a sexual disorder, you are not alone. In a 1999 survey published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, it was estimated that 43 percent of American women had experienced sexual difficulties. Furthermore, one third of the women in this survey reported a lack of interest in sex; one quarter did not have orgasms; and one fifth did not find pleasure in sex. So what do women do? Find a sexual health coach. ‘That’s you,’ Martinez said. ‘And you start by educating yourself with the numerous resources out there. Then you take that information to your doctor.’ During the typical visit to the family doctor, very few women will be asked if they are having a problem with their sexual health, so it is not an easy conversation to have, Martinez admitted. You prepare by practicing what you want to say and by taking copies of articles with you. Sexual difficulties are a health issue, Martinez said, and they should not be ignored. ‘You can reclaim the intimacy that you want. You are worthy of having healthy sexuality.’ Editor’s Note: Written by Karen Ramlall, a Toronto freelance writer who specializes in health issues. Coverage of a session at the 2007 Women’s Health Matters Forum & Expo. Related Resources: More coverage of the 2007 Women’s Health Matters Forum & Expo can be found here. Version française :  Cliquez ici pour voir la description en français Purpose:  Consumer information/support; Health information Information Source:  Hospital/Clinic Geographic Origin:  Canada Language of Resource:  English Groups:  Adult women Last Reviewed by Women's Health Matters:  August 27, 2007