10 Signs of Sexual Dysfunction in Women

Sexual dysfunction — which includes problems with desire, arousal, and orgasm — is a common issue for many individuals. In fact, 43 percent of women, and 31 percent of men, report some degree of sexual dysfunction, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

And while most people may deal with issues during sex, it’s often easier to pinpoint the problem in men, says Omoikhefe Akhigbe, MD, an ob-gyn and medical director at Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Mid-Atlantic, part of Pediatrix Medical Group, in Fulton, Maryland. “Unfortunately, the solution for women can be multifaceted, whereas men with erectile dysfunction have one straightforward, well-advertised pill that they can ask about from their primary care provider without going into too much detail," she says.

If you’re dealing with problems in the bedroom, don’t be afraid to bring it up with your healthcare provider, since sexual issues can be a sign that something else is going on with your health, and there are treatments that can help. Read on to learn about five common sexual problems in women— and what you can do to resolve them.

1. Vaginal Dryness

Why It’s Happening Feeling dry happens more often than we think. Vaginal dryness can result from hormonal changes that occur during breastfeeding or menopause. In fact, as many as 60 percent of postmenopausal women experience vaginal dryness, according to a study published in November 2021 in Frontiers in Reproductive Health.

Other potential causes include rare postpartum conditions such as Sheehan syndrome (a condition that involves injury to the pituitary gland following blood loss during childbirth), premature ovarian insufficiency (when ovaries stop functioning as they should before the age of 40), and certain rare conditions present at birth, such as Kallmann syndrome, which causes the body not to make enough sex hormones and leads to delayed or absent puberty, Dr. Akhigbe notes.

What You Can Do “If the vaginal dryness is from loss of estrogen, then the safest and most effective treatment is to use prescription vaginal estrogen replacement,” says Jaime Seeman, MD, an ob-gyn with Mid-City OB-GYN in Omaha, Nebraska. Depending on the prescription, this therapy may come as a cream, suppository, liquid-filled capsule, tablet, or vaginal ring, per Mayo Clinic.

For a quick fix, reach for an over-the-counter lubricant before and during intercourse that’s water or silicone based, suggests Akhigbe. Examples include K-Y Jelly, Aqua Lube, or Astroglide. Also consider vaginal moisturizers like Replens or Revaree. “These products typically will contain hyaluronic acid, which attracts water and provides hydration to the vaginal mucosa,” Dr. Seeman says.

2. Low Libido

Why It’s Happening As hormones decline in the years leading up to menopause, your libido can go south, too, Akhigbe says. But low desire isn’t just a problem for older women. “Everyone is not born with the same sex drive and the drive may increase and decrease over time or fluctuate depending on life situations,” Akhigbe says. “For example, relationship stress, new parent sleep-deprivation, acute emotional distress, pelvic and chronic pain and chronic medical and psychiatric conditions may affect sex drive.” Certain medications, like antidepressants, can also be libido killers, as can hormonal contraceptives, according to a study published in June 2019 in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.

What You Can Do There’s no one-stop solution to boost libido, so talk to your doctor, who can help you get to the root of the problem. Depending on the cause, treatments may include pelvic physical therapy, sex therapy, and treatment of menopause symptoms, Akhigbe says. 

3. Painful Sex

Why It’s Happening As many as 20 percent of women report pain during sex, according to research published in March 2018 in Cureus. Pain can be caused by vaginal dryness, or it may be an indication of a medical problem, like ovarian cysts or endometriosis, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Painful sex can also be related to vaginismus, a condition in which the vagina tightens involuntarily when penetrated.

What You Can Do Talk to your healthcare provider to rule out medical issues like ovarian cysts, endometriosis, or vaginismus. If those aren’t the problem, your doctor may recommend pelvic floor physical therapy, medication, or surgery to treat the cause of pain.

4. Arousal Problems

Why It’s Happening If you’re having trouble getting aroused, it may be due to a number of reasons, such as anxiety or inadequate stimulation (aka, you need more foreplay). If you experience dryness or pain during sex, it can also be harder to become turned on. Hormonal changes due to menopause or a partner’s sexual issues can also make it more difficult to get in the mood.

What You Can Do Work with your healthcare provider to identify the underlying reason you can’t become aroused. They can help connect you with the right kind of treatment to address the problem, whether that’s seeking out sexual therapy, taking medication (like hormones), or treating your partner’s problem. However, keep in mind that there may be no physical or psychosocial reason for arousal problems, and you may just need more clitoral stimulation, Seeman notes. “Neither desire nor arousal always happen spontaneously in women,” she says. “Desire does not always come before arousal. It may come after.”

5. Trouble Reaching Orgasm

Why It’s Happening About 10 to 15 percent of women have never had an orgasm, according to MedlinePlus. Understanding female anatomy is important to understanding why some women have trouble achieving orgasm, Akhigbe says. “Clitoral stimulation is required for most women,” she notes. “It's a misconception that women can always orgasm from penetrative intercourse.” Inability to reach orgasm may also be due to hormonal changes, anxiety, insufficient foreplay, certain medications, and chronic diseases. 

What You Can Do Just like other forms of sexual dysfunction, it’s key to talk to your doctor to address the underlying problem before trying to treat it. In the meantime, sex toys, like vibrators, which stimulate the clitoris, and practicing self-stimulation with your fingers can help. Also, try being more mindful while you’re getting it on by paying attention to the sensations as they happen. Research published in June 2023 in Sexual Medicine suggests that being mindful during sex can make it easier to achieve orgasm.