Email a Friend
Print ArticleSexual Conditions Health Center
Sexual Problems in Women - Symptoms
Symptoms of sexual problems can include:
- A decrease in the level of desire, which might be expressed by fewer sexual fantasies or thoughts and a reluctance to engage in sexual activity.
- A decrease in the level of arousal. A woman may notice that she feels unreceptive to sexual suggestions and is not able to feel or maintain sexual excitement.
- An inability to reach orgasm after sexual stimulation. (For most women, the clitoris is the main site of orgasm. Not all women have vaginal orgasms.)
- Pain during intercourse.
By definition, sexual problems are symptoms that are distressing for you and/or your relationship with a partner. If you have a symptom that you are not troubled by and that isn't causing a relationship problem, then it is not considered to be a sexual problem.
Most women have a sexual problem at one time or another. For some women, the problem is long-term. Surveys of the general population in the United States found that many women occasionally have sexual problems and worries, including:2
- Concerns about sexuality (6 out of 10 women).
- Lack of interest in sex (3 out of 10 women).
- Sex not always being pleasurable (2 out of 10 women).
- Pain with intercourse (1 to 2 out of 10 women).
- Difficulty becoming aroused (5 out of 10 women).
- Difficulty reaching orgasm (5 out of 10 women).
- Not being able to have an orgasm (2 to 3 out of 10 women).
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
March 11, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this
information.
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Should you be concerned about an erection that lasts longer than four hours?
