What is sexual dysfunction and how often does it occur?

Sexual dysfunction is a problem related to a person’s sexual desire, arousal, or orgasm. Sexual dysfunction is common. It affects up to 30% of men and 40% of women. This is even more common in couples with infertility. People often ignore or alleviate the sexual problems of infertile couples. Many people think that problems go away on their own or have no long-term consequences.

Some sexual problems may go away when the pressure to treat infertility ceases. However, sexual difficulties persist or often worsen after stopping treatment or after the couple becomes a parent. Even couples who have never had major sexual problems often experience times of lower sexual desire and satisfaction due to emotional stress or physical strain due to infertility or specific treatment.

Why is it more common in couples with fertility issues?

Treating infertility often causes stress, psychological demands, and physically disruptive interventions. These can affect a person’s sexual image, desire, and performance. For many couples, love is a way to connect emotionally. When their sex life is associated with failure, frustration, anger and resentment, they can lose this way of expressing their emotions. The pressure on exercise and sex (or abstinence) due to infertility treatment plans can further differentiate couples. Treating infertility can make sex less spontaneous and less fun. When sex is focused on having children, couples often stop having sex because of sexual pleasure.

These problems may worsen as treatment for infertility continues. It does not matter if the couple has had problems with sexual dysfunction in the past or if the problems started in the treatment of infertility. Sexual dysfunction can dramatically affect emotional well-being. It can also increase the frustration of not having children and the fear of medical treatment.

What physically happens to sexual dysfunction?

Couples can have a profound effect on couples who disrupt intercourse and prevent conception. Problems at all stages of the sexual reaction (lust, arousal, orgasm, solution), as well as pain disorders, can contribute to infertility. This can manifest in several ways: not having sex (low libido), inability to get or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction), problems with ejaculation (premature ejaculation and slow ejaculation), and vaginal muscle tension that prevents erection. sexual intercourse (vaginismus).

What Happens Emotionally to Sexual Dysfunction?

For many couples, sexual performance is affected by the pressure to have planned sex, the pressure to perform on demand, long and painful tests, and anxiety. Other problems may be ceding control of such a personal aspect of life to the caregiver. As infertility continues, feelings of sexual insufficiency and depression can arise due to the emotional connection between sexuality and fertility. Many infertile couples say they avoid sexual intimacy during infertility. Both men and women can lose the pleasure of sexual activity that is not intended for childbirth and may avoid sex or not care about sex. This can lead to a complete loss of affection and couples may feel tense or disconnected.

Is it treatable?

Depending on how these issues affect them, some couples will need to see a doctor. Others will benefit from counseling or psychological support. In general, a combined strategy is a useful strategy. Sex therapy and medication are often the best treatments for physical and emotional problems. The most important factor in treatment is the couple’s willingness to contact them and seek help.

Summary

Sexual dysfunction can affect anyone at any time, but it mostly occurs in couples struggling with infertility. It is important for couples undergoing infertility treatment to realize that some form of sexual dysfunction is common. A willingness to receive support when needed can help couples maintain intimacy in their relationship during this difficult time.