Understanding how your sexual and mental health are interconnected is integral to taking care of your well-being. Research has shown that sexual activity has a direct impact on mental well-being. A healthy sex life can improve the way you feel and express emotions. But what happens when menopause, illness, pain, or other factors get in the way?
Sexual dysfunction and other issues related to sexual health can often lead to common mood disturbances in women. Many women may experience feelings of anxiety, low self-esteem, or depression. These symptoms usually appear in a cycle; sexual dysfunction impacts the mood, and mood disturbances further impact sexual health. Link here
Common sexual health concerns in women include a low sex drive (aka hypoactive sexual desire disorder), painful intercourse, difficulty reaching orgasm, and menopausal changes. Women facing these concerns should speak with their healthcare provider or gynecologist. Many of these issues are treatable, but can still be frustrating.
Stress and anxiety even have a biological impact on the body that can affect one’s sexual health. Your body is programmed to react to stressful environments by producing a hormone called cortisol. Usually, it provides you with a short burst of energy to tackle an immediate problem in front of you. But, importantly, when your body is producing cortisol, it cannot release the essential hormones needed for sexual arousal. In a population study conducted by researchers Dunn et al. (1999), sexual concerns were affected by psychological issues in women more than men. Problems with arousal, inhibited enjoyment, and painful sex were strongly related to anxiety and depression measures in women. For men, sexual health concerns were connected to age and physical health more significantly than emotional issues.
Your gynecologist, a sex therapist, and a cognitive behavioral therapist can each be critical resources for women experiencing sexual dysfunction. The role of cognitive therapy can be to promote a healthy change in attitude around sex, reduce anxiety relating to sex, and improve a woman’s self-image in the context of dysfunction.
We are not separate from our bodies. Sexual health is crucial to your overall health. Despite the stigma surrounding sexual dysfunction, please don’t go it alone.