Article
Causes and symptoms of female impotence or erectile dysfunction.
Female sexual dysfunction is real and common, covering desire, arousal, orgasm and pain, with physical and psychological causes.
Female sexual dysfunction — sometimes loosely called "female impotence" — is real and common, though women do not have erections in the way men do. It covers problems with desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm or pain during sex. Causes are physical, hormonal and psychological, and effective help exists. This article explains the causes and symptoms.
It is a topic in our erectile dysfunction section.
What "female impotence" really means
The term is a misnomer borrowed from male ED. In women, the equivalent is female sexual dysfunction, which includes low desire, difficulty becoming aroused or lubricated, trouble reaching orgasm, and pain during intercourse. The "arousal" problem is the closest parallel to male ED.
Physical and hormonal causes
Hormonal changes (menopause, childbirth, breastfeeding), reduced blood flow, diabetes, certain medicines (including some antidepressants), and pelvic or nerve conditions can all reduce arousal and lubrication. Lower oestrogen after menopause is a particularly common factor.
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Hormonal | menopause, childbirth |
| Physical | blood flow, diabetes, medicines |
| Psychological | stress, anxiety, relationship issues |
Psychological causes
Stress, anxiety, depression, body-image concerns, past trauma and relationship difficulties strongly influence women's sexual response. As with men, the mind and body interact, and a problem in one area often affects the others.
Common symptoms
Symptoms include low or absent sexual desire, difficulty becoming or staying aroused, lack of lubrication, inability to reach orgasm, and discomfort or pain during sex. These can be occasional or persistent, and persistent distressing symptoms are worth discussing with a doctor.
Help is available
Treatment depends on the cause: lubricants or local oestrogen for dryness, addressing medicines or conditions, counselling or sex therapy for psychological factors, and lifestyle changes. A frank conversation with a doctor is the first step. For the psychological dimension shared with men, see psychological treatment.
Psychology: psychological treatment. Types: types of ED. Natural options: natural alternatives.
Why it is under-discussed
Female sexual dysfunction is common but often goes unmentioned, partly through embarrassment and partly because it has historically received less attention than men's ED. Recognising it as a legitimate medical issue is the first step; many women are relieved to learn that help is available and effective.
Getting help
A doctor can assess hormones, review medicines, check for physical conditions and discuss psychological factors, then tailor treatment. Options range from lubricants and local hormones to counselling and addressing relationship issues. As with men, treating the cause and the mind together gives the best results.
The role of the partner
As with men, a supportive partner and open communication ease female sexual difficulties considerably. Pressure and silence make things worse, while patience and shared problem-solving help. Where a relationship factor is involved, addressing it together is often as important as any medical treatment.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there such a thing as female impotence?
- Women don't get erections, but female sexual dysfunction — problems with desire, arousal, orgasm or pain — is real and common.
- What causes it?
- Hormonal changes, physical conditions and medicines, and psychological factors like stress.
- Can it be treated?
- Yes; treatment depends on the cause and may include lubricants, hormones, counselling or lifestyle changes.