The table below describes common sexual concerns that you may experience, along with possible causes, solutions, and the types of providers who can help.

We have laid out these concerns based on whether you have a vagina/vulva or penis. We do this because the treatments, resources, and the types of providers who respond to these concerns are typically recommended based on gender and/or anatomy. You can visit the "Resources to Learn More" and "Glossary of Terms" sections under the "To Learn More" tab to get more detailed resources or learn more about terms you may be unfamiliar with.

Concern: Decreased Desire and Sex Drive (Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder)

Possible Causes

  • Miscommunication with partner(s)
  • Mismatched sex drives or boredom with sex life
  • Lifestyle factors such as alcohol use and drug use
  • Pregnancy
  • Hormone changes, during postpartum & menopause
  • Fatigue 
  • Medical diseases and conditions
  • Surgery
  • Anxiety, depression, and stress
  • Past or present trauma
  • Certain medications

Possible Solutions

  • Improved communication with partner(s)
  • Self-exploration and masturbation
  • Trying new sexual activities with partner(s)
  • Various types of therapy
  • Medications (Addyi, Vyleesi)
  • Hormone therapy

Types of Providers

  • Sex Therapist
  • Primary Care Provider
  • Gynecologist
  • Other Therapist or Counselor
  • Substance Abuse Specialist
  • Nurse-Midwife (specifically for postpartum patients)

Concern: Inability to Become Aroused (Female Sexual Arousal Disorder)

Possible Causes

  • Menopause
  • Endometriosis
  • Anxiety, depression, and stress
  • Certain medications

Possible Solutions

  • Self-pleasure through masturbation and exploration
  • Improved communication with partner(s)
  • Trying new sexual activities with partner(s)
  • Various types of therapy

Types of Providers

  • Sex Therapist
  • Other Therapist or Counselor
  • Primary Care Provider
  • Gynecologist

Concern: Lack of Orgasm or Orgasm Difficulties (Anorgasmia)

Possible Causes

  • Anxiety, depression, and stress
  • Past or present trauma
  • Menopause
  • Performance anxiety
  • Psychological/social issues (guilt, inhibition)

 

Possible Solutions

  • Self-education
  • Self-exploration and  masturbation
  • Improved communication with partner(s)
  • Therapy

Types of Providers

  • Sex Therapist
  • Other Therapist or Counselor
  • Primary Care Provider
  • Gynecologist

Concern: Pain During Penetration (vaginal/anal/digital)

Possible Causes

  • Anxiety, depression, and stress
  • Past or present trauma
  • Injury or irritation to vagina/vulva
  • Menopause
  • Recently had surgery or gave birth
  • Sexually transmitted infections
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Vaginitis

 

Possible Solutions

 

Types of Providers

  • Primary Care Provider
  • Gynecologist
  • Sex Therapist
  • General Therapist
  • Nurse-Midwife

Concern: Painful Intercourse (vaginal/anal/digital)

Possible Causes

  • Endometriosis
  • Past or present trauma
  • Lack of arousal
  • Menopause
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
  • Vaginal dryness

Possible Solutions

Types of Providers

  • Primary Care Provider
  • Gynecologist
  • Sex Therapist

Concern: Vaginal Dryness or Atrophy

Possible Causes

  • Anxiety, depression, and stress
  • Breastfeeding
  • Cancer treatment
  • Childbirth
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Menopause
  • Poor blood circulation
  • Some types of birth control 
  • Stress

Possible Solutions

  • Water-based vaginal lubricants 
  • Smoking cessation products
  • Therapy
  • Switching medication (birth control, antidepressants, etc.)
  • Low-dose and high-dose vaginal estrogen
  • Medications such as ospemifene and prasterone

Types of Providers

  • Primary Care Provider 
  • Gynecologist
  • Sex Therapist 
  • Other Therapist