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The female reproductive system can be affected by several disorders, including Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), endometriosis, and various forms of cancer. PMS and PMDD are cyclical conditions that cause physical and emotional distress, with symptoms that include edema, mood swings, and food cravings. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS characterized by increased symptom severity that peaks during the luteal phase and tends to improve or resolve shortly after...
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Female Sexual Function at Midlife and Beyond.

Holly N Thomas1, Genevieve S Neal-Perry2, Rachel Hess3

  • 1Department of Medicine, Center for Women's Health Research and Innovation (CWHRI), University of Pittsburgh, 230 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America
|November 8, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Female sexual function is impacted by menopause-related anatomic changes and psychosocial factors like trauma. More research is needed on treatments for female sexual dysfunction.

Keywords:
MenopausePerimenopauseSexual dysfunctionSexual function

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Women's Health
  • Psychosocial Factors

Background:

  • Sexual function is crucial for women's quality of life.
  • Midlife presents unique challenges to female sexual health and intimacy.
  • Factors include genitourinary syndrome of menopause, vulvovaginal atrophy, and pelvic organ prolapse, alongside psychosocial elements like sexual trauma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted challenges affecting female sexual function during midlife.
  • To highlight the interplay between anatomical and psychosocial contributors to sexual dysfunction.
  • To identify the current landscape of treatments for female sexual dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on female sexual function in midlife.
  • Analysis of anatomical factors (e.g., estrogen deficiency) and psychosocial factors (e.g., sexual trauma).
  • Examination of existing treatment options for female sexual dysfunction.

Main Results:

  • Estrogen deficiency leads to genitourinary syndrome of menopause, vulvovaginal atrophy, and pelvic organ prolapse, impacting sexual function.
  • Psychosocial factors, notably prior sexual trauma, significantly influence women's sexual health.
  • A range of treatments for female sexual dysfunction are available.

Conclusions:

  • Female sexual function is influenced by a complex interplay of anatomical and psychosocial factors, particularly during midlife.
  • Long-term studies and comparative analyses of current treatments for female sexual dysfunction are notably absent.
  • Further research is essential to fully understand and effectively treat female sexual dysfunction.