Female Sexual Dysfunction: The Important Points to Remember

Abstract

Media exposure regarding male sexual dysfunction and the growing number of viable treatment alternatives for erectile dysfunction has resulted in increasing numbers of men seeking clinical appointments and treatment for the condition, which has previously been considered taboo. Because these problems usually arise within the context of relationships, some investigators have alluded to increased rates of sexual dysfunction among the partners of these men. Also, since general practitioners, gynaecologists, geriatrists, and urologists are also seeing female patients for evaluation of various types of dysfunction, certain groups of these women with underlying chronic conditions have been noted to have high rates of concomitant sexual dysfunction. Physicians who have good rapport with these patients are in a privileged position to help with these intimate problems, which are often difficult for patients to discuss. Therefore, it is of extreme importance that these professionals become knowledgeable about and comfortable with the initial evaluation and possible treatment of female sexual dysfunction.

Sexual dysfunction in diabetic women

“…This means that the orgasmic disorder is easier to handle as compared with arousal or desire dysfunctions. 94 Psychological issues, such as previous sexual education and experiences, relationship issues, anxiety and depression, and the mechanisms the patient has developed to cope with diabetes and life in general (seeking medical help, social or spiritual support, friendship, relaxing, pragmatism, anger, aversion) should be addressed. Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is the proposed treatment for women suffering from desire disorders or vaginismus, while couple therapy has been proven to result in greater partner intimacy.…”

“…Tibolone has androgenic, estrogenic, and progesterone activity and it has been shown to improve desire, arousal, and lubrication. 95,103,107 Phentolamine is an a-antagonist that improves arousal and lubrication; 108 apomorphine, 94 a-melanocyte-stimulating hormones, 109 serotonin receptor antagonists, 110 and selective estrogen and androgen receptor modulators are in phase II trials. 112 Vasodilators as L-arginin, 112 alprostadile, 113 and herbal therapy (gingko biloba) 112 have an as yet undetermined role in the treatment of FSD.…”

Tradução e validação de questionário de função sexual na gravidez (PSFQ)

“…Assim, no âmbito das disfunções sexuais femininas, a utilização de instrumentos que contemplem questões subjetivas é de grande relevância e usual em países desenvolvidos 10,11 . Entretanto, no Brasil, tais instrumentos ainda são escassos 12 .…”

Adaptação transcultural do Female Sexual Function Index

“…Os métodos diretos de medida da resposta sexual humana, no entanto, perdem em praticidade e não são capazes de avaliar as questões subjetivas envolvidas 12,13 . Ademais, as sensações físicas da resposta sexual feminina, mesmo quando conscientemente percebidas, nem sempre se traduzem em experiên-cia sexual subjetiva 14,15 .…”