What Can You Do About Sexual Dysfunction?

Your personal sexual dysfunction can be an awkward discussion to have, but it’s fairly common with men and women of all ages — and more so for those getting older. According to recent studies, sexual dysfunction affects up to 69% of men and 41% of women worldwide.

Fortunately, there are ways to treat sexual dysfunction without resorting to buying the pills you see being advertised on television. In addition to the steps you can take to improve your overall health, treatments are available to restore your sexual function.

Sexual dysfunction in men

Sexual dysfunction in men can be caused by a variety of reasons. The biggest natural cause is age, especially in the case of erectile dysfunction or impotence. Lifestyle choices can also lower your libido and cause sexual dysfunction. These may include:

• A sedentary lifestyle
• Alcohol 
• Smoking
• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Depression
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity

Men with healthy lifestyles and no chronic diseases have the lowest risk for erectile dysfunction. 

Sexual dysfunction in women

Sexual dysfunction in women is a multifaceted condition that can be affected by psychological, physiological, and lifestyle factors. Factors for sexual dysfunction or lower libido can include:

• A sedentary lifestyle
• Menopause
• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Depression
• Relationship dissatisfaction
• Previous negative sexual experiences
• Negative personal body image

Treating sexual dysfunction

Everybody is different, and there’s no one solution for every sexual dysfunction case. By speaking with a qualified doctor, you can address the cause of sexual dysfunction, not just the symptoms.

More often than not, lifestyle changes can help reduce the symptoms of sexual dysfunction without the help of a doctor. You can:

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight 
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet
• Sleep more
• Exercise more
• Meditate
• Stop drinking
• Stop smoking

However, if these steps aren’t enough to improve your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe treatments, such as:

• Prescription medications for men that help with erections
• Estrogen creams for women to boost vaginal health
• Hormone replacement therapies

At Integrative Primary Care, we offer personalized, compassionate treatment plans for patients with sexual dysfunction. Dr. Syed Farhat Zaidi and Dr. Imran Baig are board-certified internists with years of experience diagnosing and treating a variety of conditions.

To schedule a visit, call Integrative Primary Care at 281-369-8542, or request an appointment online today.