Medical Conditions and Sexual Dysfunction

Some medical conditions can cause sexual dysfunction in both men and women. For example, cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure or peripheral vascular disease, affect the blood vessels that supply blood to all areas of the body, including the sex organs. If the penis or vagina doesn’t receive enough oxygenated blood, arousal and sexual intercourse may be negatively affected. According to the Cleveland Clinic, studies suggest that blood vessel disease is the cause of 30 to 50 percent of erectile dysfunction in men.

Other common medical conditions can cause sexual dysfunction in both men and women.

• Depression is a clinical mood disorder characterized by an imbalance in brain chemicals. Some of these chemicals stimulate blood flow to the sex organs, which means that depression can lead to sexual dysfunction. Many drugs used to treat depression can have sexual side effects.
• Diabetes can affect blood vessels, causing a hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis or vagina.
• Neurological conditions can interfere with the nerve impulses that travel from the brain to the sex organs. Such conditions include spinal cord and brain injuries, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis.
• Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, herpes and genital warts can cause changes in the sex organs that make sex uncomfortable or painful.

Medical Conditions and Male Sexual Dysfunction

In addition to the conditions listed above, other medical conditions can cause male sexual dysfunction.

• Peyronie's disease is a rare condition in which inflammation causes scar tissue to develop along the length of the penis. This scar tissue creates a curve in the penis that can cause pain and interfere with sexual function.
• Prostate cancer treatments can cause erectile dysfunction.
• Testosterone deficiency, although rare, can cause loss of libido and loss of erection.

Medical Conditions and Sexual Dysfunction in Women

Gynecological problems can cause female sexual dysfunction.

• Endometriosis, pelvic masses, ovarian cysts, or surgical scars can cause an obstruction that interferes with intercourse.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious infection of the vagina that affects the positions of the cervix, uterus, and ovaries.
• Vaginismus is a painful spasm of the muscles around the opening of the vagina.
• Vaginitis is inflammation and irritation of vaginal tissues.

Hormonal imbalances can affect a woman's sexual function. Although menopause is not a medical condition, women produce less estrogen after menopause, which can reduce the blood supply to the vagina. Also, women who have emotional issues about menopause may have less interest in sex, although some post-menopausal women report increased sexual satisfaction.

If you have a medical conditions and sexual dysfunction is affecting your life, work with your healthcare provider to find solutions.

Resources

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Sexual dysfunction and disease. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Sexual_Dysfunction/hic_Sexual_Dysfunction_and_Disease.aspx

eMedicineHealth. (n.d.). Female sexual problems causes. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/female_sexual_problems/page2_em.htm

Healthcommunities.com Urology Channel. (December 4, 2007). Causes of impotence. Retrieved June 24, 2010, from http://www.urologychannel.com/erectiledysfunction/causes.shtml