Sexual Dysfunction

Enjoying a healthy sex life does wonders for your mental and physical well-being. If you’re struggling with sexual dysfunction, visit Richard Hilburn, MD, FACP, at Goals of Care, PLLC, in Herndon, Virginia. Dr. Hilburn and his team offer a range of effective treatments for common sexual health problems such as erectile dysfunction and painful intercourse. Call Goals of Care, PLLC, or book an appointment online today to receive high-quality sexual dysfunction diagnosis and treatment.

What is sexual dysfunction?

Sexual dysfunction means having a problem that’s preventing you from enjoying a rewarding sex life. Some common sexual dysfunction problems include:

Erectile dysfunction (ED)

ED affects men, preventing them from getting or keeping an erection when they want to have sex.

Premature ejaculation

Some men have difficulty delaying their orgasms, ejaculating long before they’d like to.

Painful intercourse

Women may experience problems like vaginal dryness, in which a lack of lubrication makes intercourse uncomfortable. They can also suffer from vaginismus, in which the vaginal walls spasm, making penetration difficult. Men might experience painful intercourse because of Peyronie’s disease, in which scar tissue causes the penis to curve painfully when erect.

Desire issues

Some people have very little sexual desire, while others enjoy frequent sex. Your libido (sex drive) can vary throughout life, but if you lose interest in sex and it’s causing you distress, it’s important to seek help.

Arousal problems

Difficulties getting aroused may relate to fluctuations in your sex drive or have a medical cause.

Why am I affected by sexual dysfunction?

Anyone can suffer from sexual health issues, although some are more common as you reach middle age.

This is because sexual function relies significantly on the sex hormone levels in your body. With age, the production of testosterone (male sex hormone) and the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone decreases. As women reach 45-50, levels drop considerably, resulting in menopause.

This natural process marks the end of a woman’s ability to have children. Periods stop, and many women experience unpleasant problems like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Men may experience a drop in testosterone that causes symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, and fatigue, sometimes called andropause.

Other issues that can cause sexual dysfunction include cardiovascular disease (which affects blood flow to the genitals), chronic illnesses that affect general well-being, certain medications, and mental health problems.

What help is available for sexual dysfunction?

Depending on what’s causing your sexual dysfunction, you might benefit from:

• Hormone replacement therapy
• Prostaglandins
• Enzyme inhibitors
• Behavioral therapy
• Medication management  
• Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
• Sex therapy
• Mechanical aids like vacuum devices, penile implants, vaginal dilators, and vibrators

Goals of Care, PLLC, offers several effective treatments for sexual dysfunction and can refer you for any specialized therapy you require.

Call Goals of Care, PLLC, to benefit from confidential, professional sexual dysfunction treatment, or book an appointment online today.