4 Pelvic Conditions that Can Cause Low Sex Drive in Women
Low female sex drive is a complex and often misunderstood issue that can affect many women at various stages of life. Understanding the underlying causes—ranging from physical to emotional factors—is key to addressing this challenge and improving overall well-being
If you are one of the nearly 12 million women living in Florida, you might be among many who have experienced the symptoms of low sex drive resulting from urogynecologic issues, or pelvic disorders. These conditions effect your bladder, ureters, urethra, and pelvic floor.
And because many of the symptoms of these conditions can be painful or embarrassing, they contribute to low sex drive in women.
If you suspect a physical condition is affecting your sex drive, read on. This blog will help you determine if a pelvic disorder is the cause, and how a urologist or urogynecologist can help.
How a Woman’s Urinary System and Sex Drive Cross Paths
Researchers estimate low sex drive occurs in more than 20% of women at one time or another. Part of the reason is anatomy: a woman’s urinary tract and reproductive tract – including sex organs – are snuggled in the pelvis. The urethra is actually part of both your urinary system and your genitals.
Non-urinary causes of low sex drive in women include declines in the hormones that contribute to sex drive, as well as a condition called female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD). We’ll explain these causes in more detail shortly.
If a problem occurs in your urinary tract, it can cause enough discomfort to turn you off from sex. We’ll discuss those conditions shortly. First, here are the symptoms of low sex drive in women:
- Low libido (a lack of sexual urges)
- Inability to get aroused or reach orgasm
- Intercourse that is uncomfortable or painful
- Loss of sexual fantasies
- Feeling troubled about your lack of desire
Low Sex Drive in Women: 4 Urogynecologic Causes
Several urology/pelvic floor disorders can lead to sexual dysfunction in women, primarily due to their symptoms. Unfortunately, just 42% of women who experience sexual problems seek treatment, the AARP reports. Knowing the conditions may encourage you to seek care.
Among those conditions:
Sex that hurts – As women enter menopause, typically in their 40s and 50s, their bodies make less estrogen, the female hormone that regulates ovulation and lubricates the vagina for elasticity. Without estrogen, the vaginal walls become thinner and dryer, which can make intercourse painful. Endometriosis, when tissue grows outside the uterus, also can make sex painful.
How painful sex is treated: Over-the-counter lubricants, which you can apply yourself, can ease discomfort. Your doctor also might suggest topical vaginal estrogen and/or physical therapy to reduce pelvic muscle tension. For endometriosis, you can take medications or have the issue surgically removed.
Pelvic organ prolapse – Your bladder, uterus, and top of the vagina (bowel) are kept in place by pelvic floor muscles. If these muscles weaken, which can occur due to childbirth, obesity, or aging, the organs can drop into the vagina. This is called pelvic organ prolapse, and it affects nearly 50% of women ages 50 to 79.
How prolapse is treated: Patients typically begin with regular Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles. Your doctor also may prescribe vaginal pessaries – small, silicone disks inserted into the top of the vagina to hold the organs up. Surgically, a supportive pelvic floor can be rebuilt with mesh or your own e.
Bladder leakage – Urinary incontinence, or involuntary leakage, can make women second-guess many activities, including sex. Incontinence occurs in two forms: urge incontinence, or overactive bladder, when the bladder suddenly empties itself frequently and without warning; and stress incontinence, leakage brought on by sudden movements such as sneezing, jumping; or coughing. All are due to problems with the nerves and muscles that help the bladder, as well as weak pelvic muscles.
How leakage can be treated: In addition to Kegel exercises and bladder training, estrogen therapy and medications, including Botox injections, can bolster the bladder and urethra. Other options include nerve stimulation, pessaries, and surgery.
Urinary tract pain – Infections and inflammation brought on by urinary tract infections (UTIs) and/or interstitial cystitis (IC) can make sex uncomfortable or painful. The key sign of a urinary bacterial infection is more frequent and burning urination. IC, also called painful bladder syndrome, can occur when the bladder lining deteriorates, causing inflammation and possible bladder distention.
How UTI and IC pain are treated: For a UTI, antibiotics, increased fluids, and regular urination can reduce symptoms and recurrences. IC treatments include medications (such as anti-inflammatory liquids temporarily instilled in the bladder), bladder training, and electrical nerve stimulation.
Causes for Low Sex Drive in Women Outside the Urinary Tract
Shifts in hormone production – Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone – all female hormones that boost sex drive – can decline due to age, menopause, or medications. A blood test can evaluate your hormone levels, and some medications may help.
Female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD) – FSIAD is chiefly characterized by a long-lasting lack of interest in sex that distresses the patient. One in 10 women experience at least one episode of sexual desire disorder. For 32% of women, the episode may last for several months. FSIAD treatments include education, sex therapy, and certain medications.
Secondary effects of drugs – Some medications can alter hormone levels and lower sex drive. These include drugs for depression, cancer, and seizures. Ask about changing the prescription or dosage.
Your mental wellness – Anxiety, depression, and fatigue can make you emotionally unequipped for sex. Your doctor can help you decide if you are a candidate for therapy.
Lifestyle habits – Alcohol overconsumption can diminish sexual performance for women as well as men. Physical activity, meanwhile, has been shown to improve sex drive as well as body image.
If You Want to Your Sex Drive Back, We Can Help
If you have recurring or prolonged low sex drive and also experience any of the above symptoms, it might be a urology or urogynecology condition. And it should be treated, because the long-term effects can extend to health problems beyond low sex drive in women.
You’ll likely feel better for it, too. Our urologists and urogynecologists are female libido professionals, and we’re ready to talk.
For more on women-specific urology conditions and treatments, visit our Women’s Urology Health page.