Sexual dysfunction is prevalent in adult women, negatively affecting their quality of life. It can be caused by various factors including chronic conditions, poor physical or mental health, certain medications, and relationship issues.

The sexual cycle is a complex process that can be affected by many factors, at times resulting in sexual dysfunction. Some common risk factors for sexual dysfunction include health issues and substance abuse, which is the recurring desire to take drugs or other substances in a way that is harmful to a person.

Many couples require medical help to have children, which is known as medically assisted reproduction, or MAR. MAR can affect couples’ sexual health and relationships. For example, they may feel pressure to have sex during fertile times, increasing the pressure to perform and reducing overall enjoyment.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease affecting the central nervous system, causing various symptoms such as fatigue, numbness and tingling, pain, bladder and bowel problems, tremors, loss of balance, and more.

Receptive anal intercourse (RAI) involves consensual anal penetration by a partner for sexual pleasure and is practiced by a significant portion of the population, particularly among men who have sex with men and gender-diverse individuals.

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a significant concern for many women around the world, encompassing issues like reduced sexual desire, arousal problems, inadequate lubrication, and pain during sex. It impacts women’s quality of life, mental health, and relationships with their significant others.

Postmenopausal women often face sexual dysfunction, which can have a big impact on their quality of life. There are several different treatment options available (depending on the type and cause of sexual dysfunction) including hormonal and non-hormonal therapy, personal lubricants, sex therapy, and pelvic floor physical therapy.

Genital sexual arousal, which includes lubrication and good vaginal blood flow in women, is crucial for healthy sexual functioning. This genital sexual response is regulated by hormones like estrogens and androgens, which can be affected by certain medications. In particular, oral birth control pills, also called oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), are widely used and have a notable effect on the body’s hormone levels. Despite their prevalent use, their influence on sexual function remains unclear.

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a sexual dysfunction in which scar tissue or plaques develop under the skin of the penis, causing it to bend or become misshapen during erections. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of symptoms. Surgery is often recommended for severe cases, but it may not fully restore the penis to its pre-disease state.

Gender dysphoria is when a person’s gender identity does not match their assigned sex at birth. Some people with gender dysphoria choose to transition to align with their gender identity, which may sometimes include surgery like vaginoplasty (the surgical creation of a neovagina). There are different techniques for this surgery, but it is still not clear how they affect sexual satisfaction.

COVID-19, an illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2, has been a major health challenge worldwide. Despite efforts like vaccines, the virus continues to spread, and experts believe it will move from an epidemic to an endemic phase (meaning a long-lasting, regularly occurring disease in society).

Low libido is a common sexual health complaint among women, and it may become even more common as women age. Midlife and older women may experience low libido due to changes in their hormone levels, menopause symptoms, changes in their relationships, changes in their self-perception with regard to aging and sexuality, and/or an increase in sleep problems, depression, or anxiety.