www.womanthismonth.com 61 December 2013 Many of us, especially in this part of the globe, are ashamed of discussing several significant health issues with our doctors. We speak to an expert about sexual arousal disorders in women. FASHION BAHRAIN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL A Cry for Help! Dr Walaa Sabry Elbarbary, the consultant psychiatrist at Bahrain Specialist Hospital, helps us understand what causes sexual arousal disorders and how to treat what was previously known as frigidity in women. “The condition is called primary orgasmic dysfunction when a woman has never had an orgasm or climax in her life. This is the case in 10 to 15 percent of women,” Dr Walaa explains. “It is called secondary orgasmic dysfunction when a woman has had an orgasm in the past, but is currently unable to have one. Surveys suggest that 33 to 50 percent of women are dissatisfied with how often they reach orgasm.” It is a topic that many women are hesitant or embarrassed to discuss especially in the Eastern and religious communities. But a lack of female arousal is not something you have to live with. You shouldn’t be too embarrassed to discuss it with your doctor. Fortunately, many cases of female orgasmic dysfunction are treatable. So it is important to share your concerns with your partner and doctor. They may be due to psychological factors or a combination of physiological and psychological factors. The thing to remember is that it is never caused due to physiological factors alone. Psychological causes have found it to be related to certain cultural and religious beliefs, such as feeling of guilt or embarrassment about sex or sexual pleasure. A strict religious upbringing can cause a woman to have negative thoughts about being sexual. Developing a fear of rejection by her partner or the fear or embarrassment of losing control during orgasm are other causes. Some factors include stress, such as financial worries, job loss, divorce, relationship problems, low self-esteem and poor self image. Some mental health disorders such, as major depression and anxiety, may contribute to the problem. Physical or medical causes include damage to the nerves in the pelvic area, removal of the clitoris (also called female genital mutilation, a cultural practice in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia). A woman with sexual arousal disorder should be evaluated for both psychosocial and medical causes. Once the diagnosis is made, multiple treatment options are available. These include, but are not limited to, sex therapy, relationship therapy and medications. Call 17 812-000. Dr Walaa Sabry Elbarbary showcase
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