Female Sexual Arousal Disorder

The persistent failure to achieve or maintain adequate lubrication and sufficient sexual excitement during intercourse, leading to personal distress, is termed as Female Sexual Arousal Disorder. Generally, sexual dysfunctions are a group of disorders related to a particular phase of the sexual response cycle. Their source can be psychological, biological or both. The normal ‘sexual response cycle’ is the sequence of emotional and physical changes that occur in a person as a reaction to sexual stimulation and comprises of four stages: Desire, Arousal, Orgasm, and Resolution.

The second step (arousal), alternatively known as the Plateau Phase, consists of sense of sexual pleasure with accompanying physiological changes. Normally this includes increased blood supply to private organs with resultant swelling of genital structures. Anything that impairs the feeling of satisfaction during intimacy and inability to sustain the sexual excitement can produce an arousal disorder. Similar to hypoactive sexual desire disorder, a number of causative agents have been identified as possible triggers:

• Certain medications can cause vaginal dryness (anti-allergic and anti-cholinergic)

• Menopause. Low oestrogen levels may lead to vaginal dryness

• Any medical illness (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, spinal cord injury etc.)

• Low self-esteem or poor body image

• Relationship issues with partner (guilt, anger, fear)

• Past history of sexual abuse

• Smoking, alcohol or drug abuse

• Depression or anxiety

• Sexual myths​​​​

When to seek expert advise

Any difficulty with intimacy and intercourse can put a strain on a relationship. Although you may find it embarrassing, you are welcome to discuss your concerns with the Women's Health Care Service Line at The Aga Khan University Hospital.​

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