Sexual Problems In Women: What Increases Your Risk

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What Increases Your Risk

Risk factors for sexual problems include a current or long-term history of:

• Exhaustion, often from round-the-clock care of a baby or small children and/or parenting and having a job.
• Normal hormonal changes linked to pregnancy, recovery from pregnancy, menopause, or aging.
• Emotional or stress-related problems, such as personal relationship tensions or economic concerns.
• Taking certain medicines that decrease a woman's desire for sex.
• Health problems that cause pain during sex or decrease a woman's ability to engage in and enjoy sexual activity. Such health problems include:
  • Neurologic diseases such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson's disease.
  • Surgery that affects a woman's pelvic organs or genitals.
  • Endocrine diseases such as diabetes or liver disease.
  • Peripheral arterial disease.
• Sexual trauma, such as rape or childhood abuse.

Last updated:	March 11, 2008
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Michele Cronen