Have you been experiencing urinary incontinence, pain during intimacy, or vaginal dryness? If so, you are not alone. Urinary incontinence affects 200 million people worldwide; in fact, one in four women over the age of 18 experience episodes of leaking urine involuntarily. Countless women also experience a decline in sexual pleasure, which can lead to frustration and a loss of confidence. Urinary stress incontinence is a condition in which a woman leaks urine from the bladder. This leakage is involuntary and usually occurs suddenly when the woman experiences stress on the bladder from coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercise or any other activity that places stress on the bladder. Urinary stress incontinence can result from childbirth, pelvic surgery (i.e. a hysterectomy) or aging. These factors can contribute to a weakened pelvic floor and urethral sphincter muscles, which in turn can cause involuntary bladder leakage. Female urinary stress incontinence is the involuntary release of urine during any physical activity that puts pressure on your bladder. It’s not the same as general incontinence. This potentially uncomfortable condition only happens when the bladder is under immediate physical stress. Activities that can put stress on your bladder include: coughing sneezing laughing lifting heavy objects or straining bending over Chances of developing stress incontinence increases with pregnancy and as you age. In fact, according to the American Academy of Physicians (AAP), about 50 percent of women between the ages of 40 to 60, and nearly 75 percent of women over the age of 75, have some form of urinary incontinence (UI). The actual figures may be even higher, since the condition is underreported and under diagnosed. According to the AAP, it estimates that about one-half of the women who experience UI do not report it to their doctors.

Vaginal laxity is one of the most common yet overlooked health concerns among women. Childbirth, ageing, and certain medical conditions affect collagen levels in the skin and vaginal tissue, creating a feeling of looseness. Women dealing with this problem may also experience decreased libido, loss of sexual arousal, and reduced sexual satisfaction during intercourse. Fortunately, there are ways to treat vaginal laxity and improve your quality of life. Excessive relaxation of the vaginal muscles is a common occurrence after vaginal birth, or due to aging. Damage can diminish sensation during intercourse, reduce sexual satisfaction and change the relationship between partners. Laxity of the skin is caused by numerous factors; and no area is immune to this natural decline Due to the effects of childbirth, aging, trauma, and/or genetics, the vaginal tissue and surrounding muscles can become stretched and lose their strength and tone. The loose and unsatisfying feeling that many women feel can also be felt by their male partner during intercourse. Labial enlargement, unevenness, or traumatic tears from childbirth can also affect the labia to make it look unappealing. This can result in discomfort with intimate contact, chronic rubbing, a pulling sensation, vulvar pain, and an inability to wear certain types of clothes such as tight jeans or swimsuits. Laxity leads to loss of lubrication in the vaginal area, inability to attain an orgasm, and decreased sensitivity during intercourse. Other possible causes include excessive sexual activity, trauma to the vagina, certain genetic disorders, menopause, and multiple vaginal births. Research indicates that about 76 percent of women will experience this problem at some point.

Vaginal dryness can be one symptom of a prevalent but little-known condition called vaginal atrophy. Normally, the walls of the vagina stay lubricated with a thin layer of clear fluid. The hormone estrogen helps maintain that fluid and keeps the lining of the vagina healthy, thick, and elastic. During menopause, the drop in estrogen levels reduces the amount of moisture available. It also makes the vagina thinner and less elastic. This is called vaginal atrophy. The majority of women entering perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause will experience vaginal dryness as a result of their bodies’ decreased estrogen production; however, dryness can occur as a result of other health conditions as well. Without adequate moisture in the area, the delicate skin can tear or become irritated and women can experience pain during sex. While women experience the consequences of painful sex most directly, their partners are affected as well. Men might feel rejected, frustrated, guilty, and fearful about the situation. Be sure to communicate openly and honestly about this issue. This way, you can avoid disconnection and find alternate forms of intimacy while waiting for your symptoms to heal.

Orgasmic dysfunction is also known as anorgasmia or female orgasmic disorder. Orgasmic dysfunction is a condition that occurs when someone has difficulty reaching orgasm, even when they’re sexually aroused and there’s sufficient sexual stimulation. When this condition occurs in women, it’s known as female orgasmic dysfunction. Men can also experience orgasmic dysfunction, but this is much less common. Orgasms are an intense pleasurable release of sexual feelings during sexual stimulation accompanied by contractions of the genital muscles. They can vary in intensity, duration, and frequency. Orgasms can occur with little sexual stimulation, but sometimes much more stimulation is needed. It is estimated that in the United States 40% of women have sexual complaints and difficulty reaching orgasm with a partner, even after ample sexual stimulation. There are many problems that can keep a woman from enjoying sex. They include Lack of sexual desire Inability to become aroused Lack of orgasm, or sexual climax Painful intercourse Unfortunately for many women quite often these conditions are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. When sex is not enjoyable, it can become a chore rather than a mutually satisfying, playful and intimate experience. When orgasmic disorder persists, sexual desire usually declines and frequency of intercourse wanes, often causing resentment and conflict within a relationship.