The Female Sexual Dysfunction Myth

The Cleveland Clinic defines sexual dysfunction as "a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual activity". The sexual response cycle is defined as having four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. What are some of the problems that can interfere with the sexual response cycle?

Some physical causes can include such things as pregnancy, fatigue, pelvic surgery, sexually transmitted disease, as well as menopause, hormonal imbalance, and "blood floor disorders". Psychological factors can include stress, past sexual trauma, boredom, depression, lack of experience, and inhibitions. Having just one of these symptoms can contribute to a diagnosis of "Female Sexual Dysfunction".

According to the Mayo Clinic four in ten women "experience at least one sexual problem. In medical circles, this is known as sexual dysfunction." The Clinic reports that fatigue and stress from work and home can cause disinterest in sex, which constitutes a problem and therefore a "dysfunction". Dr. Leonore Tiefer calls these kinds of definitions "disease-mongering". Disease-mongering was defined by Lynn Payer as "trying to convince essentially well people that they are sick or slightly ill people that they are very ill". Dr. Tiefer argues that some in the medical and the pharmaceutical communities encourage the overuse of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) as a diagnosis to increase drug sales and research funding. Some very common ailments fall under the FSD umbrella.

Many of the cause of FSD either don't need treatment or can be treated in ways that have long been established by the medical community. For instance, one cause of FSD is pelvic surgery. Lack of interest in sex and pain during intercourse should be expected after an invasive procedure such as this. Treatment in this case would simply be time for healing and perhaps, in the long term, physical therapy. However, with a diagnosis of FSD, perhaps a patient may be more willing to try an experimental drug or treatment.

Lack of orgasm (anorgasmia), according to the Cleveland Clinic, is another symptom of FSD. The list of potential reasons for anorgasmia includes "inexperience, lack of knowledge". With this one phrase, many young women who have never experienced intercourse could be suffering from FSD. This is just another example, according to critics, of why FSD is an example of disease-mongering.

Major disease-mongering tactics, according to Lynn Payer include "taking a normal function and implying that there's something wrong with it and it should be treated". A lack of interest after pelvic surgery and discomfort during one's first sexual encounter are completely normal. These tactics also include "defining a large population as possible as suffering from the disease". The Mayo Clinic says that "as many as four in ten women suffer from at least one incidence of sexual dysfunction". This would include these examples as well as women who are pregnant, depressed, in stressful marital relationships, often fatigued, and even bored with their current sexual partner. Including all of these sexual problems into the list of diagnostic criteria would inflate the number of those afflicted with FSD.

Many of the symptoms of what has been dubbed "Female Sexual Dysfunction" typically do not need treating as a sexual dysfunction- such as boredom in the bedroom and fatigue from a long day of work. Those that do, such as a hormonal imbalance and sexually transmitted diseases, already have treatment available with a proven track record- HRT and antibiotics, for example. Psychological reasons for sexual dysfunction, such as depression or past sexual trauma, can be treated effectively through therapy with a qualified therapist. The majority of symptoms listed as possibly caused by FSD are diseases and condition unto themselves or just naturally occurring life phenomena (such as the lack of experience with sexual intercourse). The need for specialized treatment for FSD is satisfied by treatments already established.

The definition of the term "Female Sexual Dysfunction" is so broad that critics argue it shouldn't even be used as a medical diagnosis. With the popularity of such medications as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra some argue that "spin doctors" are hoping to cash in with women who are hoping to solve their sexual issues with one magic pill. Considering that these medications specifically target erectile dysfunction, a woman should ask her doctor to be more specific with a diagnosis of FSD, which could be something as simple as a urinary tract infection. With the proper diagnosis and treatment, many women who are suffering from FSD can regain enjoyment of a healthy, active sex life with the magic pills and therapies already available.

References:

Dr. Leonore Tiefer, Citation: Tiefer L (2006) Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Case Study of Disease Mongering and Activist Resistance. PLoS Med 3(4): e178 doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0030178

Published: April 11, 2006 http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0030178

Female sexual dysfunction, Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/female-sexual-dysfunction/DS00701

Sexual Dysfunction in Females, Cleveland Clinic: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2400/2420.asp?index=9123

Female Sexual Dysfunction, Women's Health Channel: http://www.womenshealthchannel.com/fsd/index.shtml