Female Sexual Problems Causes

The causes of sexual problems are as varied and complex as the human race. Some problems stem from a simple, reversible physical problem. Others can stem from more serious medical conditions, difficult life situations, or emotional problems. Still others have a combination of causes. Any of the following can contribute to sexual problems:

• Relationship problems: Discord in other aspects of the relationship, such as distribution of labor, childrearing, or money, can cause sexual problems. Issues of control or even abuse in the relationship are especially harmful to sexual harmony. Such problems can prevent a woman from communicating her sexual wants and needs to her partner.
• Emotional problems: Depression, anxiety (about sex or other things), stress, resentment, and guilt can all affect a woman's sexual function.
• Insufficient stimulation: A woman's (or her partner's) lack of knowledge about sexual stimulation and response may prevent a woman from achieving a satisfactory experience. Poor communication between partners can also be a culprit here.
• Gynecologic problems: A number of pelvic disorders can cause pain in intercourse and thus decrease satisfaction.

• • Vaginal dryness: The most common reason for this in younger women is insufficient stimulation. In older women, the decrease in estrogen that occurs in perimenopause or menopause is the cause of vaginal dryness. Poor lubrication can also be linked to hormone imbalances and other illnesses and to certain medications. It can inhibit arousal or make intercourse uncomfortable.
  • Vaginismus: This is a painful spasm of the muscles surrounding the vaginal opening that causes the vaginal opening to "tighten." It can prevent penetration or make penetration extremely painful. Vaginismus can be caused by injuries or scars from surgery, abuse, or childbirth, by infection, or by irritation from douches, spermicides, or condoms. It can also be caused by fear.
  • Sexually transmitted diseases: Gonorrhea, herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, and syphilis are infectious diseases spread by sexual contact. They can cause changes in the genitals that make sex uncomfortable or even painful.
  • Vaginitis: Inflammation and irritation of vaginal tissues due to infection or other causes can make intercourse uncomfortable or painful.
  • Endometriosis, pelvic mass, ovarian cyst, surgical scars: Any of these can cause an obstruction or anatomical changes that prevent intercourse or make it difficult or painful.
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease: This is an infection of the vagina that moves up into the cervix, uterus, and ovaries. It can be very painful on its own and make intercourse extremely painful.
  • Nerve damage after surgery: Unavoidable cutting of small nerves during pelvic surgery (such as hysterectomy) may decrease sensation and response.
• Physical conditions: Many physical or medical conditions can decrease a woman's satisfaction with her sex life.
  • Tiredness (fatigue)
  • Chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease
  • Cancer
  • Neurologic disorders
  • Vascular (blood flow) disorders
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Menopause
  • Pregnancy
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
• Medications: Certain medications can reduce desire or arousal. One well-known group of drugs that have this effect are the selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) group of antidepressants, which includes drugs such as Prozac and Zoloft. Others include certain chemotherapy drugs, drugs for high blood pressure, and antipsychotic medications.
• Other medical treatments: Treatments such as radiation therapy for certain types of cancer can reduce vaginal lubrication. They can also make skin and the membranes lining the genitals tender and sensitive.
• History of abuse: A woman who has suffered sexual or other abuse may have trouble trusting her partner enough to relax and become aroused. She may have feelings of fear, guilt, or resentment that get in the way of a satisfactory experience, even if she cares deeply about her current partner.
• Attitudes toward sex: Many people, either because of the way they were brought up or because of earlier bad experiences, don't view sex as a normal and enjoyable part of a couple's relationship. They may associate sex or sexual feelings with shame, guilt, fear, or anger. On the other hand are people who have unrealistic expectations about sex. Portrayals of sex in television and movies as always easy and fantastic mislead some people into believing that is how it is in real life. These people are disappointed or even distressed when sex is sometimes not earth-shattering or when a problem occurs.
• Sexual problems of the partner: If a woman's partner has sexual problems, such as impotence or lack of desire, this can inhibit her own satisfaction. Continue Reading

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Headaches

Headaches are a common problem and can sometimes indicate other conditions. We look at the causes and treatments to help you.

What is a headache?

Headaches involve mild to severe pain in one or more parts of the head as well as the back of the neck.

There are many different types of headache, with different patterns of pain and other related symptoms, and a variety of causes.

While painful and annoying, the majority of headaches are not a sign of a serious disorder and, if they are not a persistent problem, may be relieved by simple medicines and/or changes in lifestyle.

What causes headaches?

There is no single cause of headaches. A number of causes have been identified which fall into two general categories.

Tension headache

This type of headache results from contraction of head and neck muscles.

It is the most common form of headache and accounts for 70 per cent of headaches.

It can occur in people of either sex and at any age, but it's most common in adults and adolescents.

Tension headache usually occurs in isolated incidents but can become chronic for some people.

Possible causes of muscle contraction associated with tension headaches include:

• stress
• fatigue
• poor posture
• eye strain
• sensory overstimulation – loud noise, bright sunshine etc
• tobacco and alcohol use
• in women, hormonal changes occurring before and after a menstrual period.

Migraine headache

Migraine is the cause of 20 per cent of all headaches.
The underlying problem that leads to migraines is still not clear but several theories exist.
They are probably the result of a series of complex changes in the nerves, blood vessels and chemical signalling within the brain.
Migraine is usually experienced as a throbbing pain on one side of the head with an associated feeling of sickness and sensitivity to light and sound. However there are various types of migraine. The main ones are the following.

• Migraine with aura: an aura is a warning symptom or sign that develops before the headache itself. Auras include flashing lights and visual changes, and neck stiffness. One in three people with migraine have auras.
• Migraine without aura.
• Migraine without headache. Although migraines are a type of headache, some people find they get all the other symptoms, especially an aura but no headache develops.

Migraines are known to affect more women than men and are often chronic. In extreme cases they may totally disrupt a person's daily life.
Below are some of the factors that have been identified as being associated with migraines:

• family history of migraine
• prolonged muscle tension and stress
• alcohol use
• smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke
• lack of sleep
• for women, menstrual periods and the use of oral contraceptives
• certain foods such as chocolate, nuts and fermented or pickled condiments, as well as foods containing the amino acid tyramine (aged cheese, red wine, smoked fish) and foods containing preservatives and artificial sweeteners are linked to migraine. It was thought they might contain chemicals that could trigger a migraine, but other research suggests that one of the early symptoms of a migraine might be a craving for foods such as these.

What are the symptoms of tension and migraine headaches?

Tension headache

• Pain is often felt in the generalised area of the head and neck as opposed to on one side.
• Pain may also be situated in the back of the head and neck and feel like a 'tight band'.
• Sometimes accompanied by muscle tightness in back of neck.
• Of relatively short duration if treated in time.

Migraine headache

Migraines tend to follow five stages.

• A prodromal stage: this comes before the headache (often hours or even days before) and varies from person to person. Prodromal symptoms include generally feeling unwell, low mood, extremely tired, changes in appetite, craving certain foods, yawning and temperature changes in the extremities (such as hot ears or a cold nose). Many people with long standing migraine can recognise their prodromal stage even if they can't fully describe what they feel is wrong.
• Aura: about one in three people get an aura – a warning symptom just before the headache starts which lasts 10 to 15 minutes. These aura often include visual symptoms such as flashing lights.
• Headache.
• Resolution: symptoms gradually fade. Sleep can help this.
• Postdromal or recovery: many people recognise certain symptoms once the headache has gone, especially exhaustion but sometimes hunger too.

When should you consult a doctor?

Most people with isolated tension headaches usually manage to control their symptoms with over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, or simple self-treatment such as relaxation and sleep.
However, those with chronic headaches should be checked out by their GP to consider possible causes and prevention.
If any of the below symptoms are present your GP should be contacted immediately.

• A sudden, severe headache accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
• Persistent and recurring headaches accompanied by memory problems, difficulty concentrating and tiredness.
• A high fever with neck stiffness (unable to bend the chin down to the chest).
• Convulsions (fits).
• Persistent vision disturbances (light flashes).
• Trouble controlling arms and legs.
• Loss of feeling in the arms and legs.
• Tiredness and apathy with difficulty communicating.

How does the doctor make a diagnosis?

An accurate history of any previous illnesses, family background, diet and lifestyle is crucial to help the doctor decide whether to perform further tests and to advise on treatment.
The doctor will ask for information about the headache, its length, duration, location, associated features, quality and causative factors.
Bear in mind that the vast majority of headaches, even persistent ones, are not sinister.
However, when symptoms suggest that the headaches may be related to a chronic or more serious disorder, the following diagnostic procedures might be performed, usually following assessment by a specialist.

• Head CT (computerised tomography) scan.
• Head MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
• Sinus X-rays.
• Temporal artery biopsy.
• Lumbar puncture.

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How to Reduce Breast Size Naturally

Breasts develop from embryological tissues, and the high estrogen level in females during puberty causes breasts to start growing bigger.

Breasts are mammary glands composed of layers of different types of tissue, including adipose, glandular and connective tissues. As these tissues have hormone receptors, there is often fluctuation in breast sizes and volumes based on hormonal changes in the body.

As breasts are considered a sign of femininity and beauty, women want their breasts to be perfectly shaped and sized. However, at times the breasts become larger in size, which can be due to several factors including
Extremely large breasts can cause physical and emotional problems. Health problems may include rashes under the breasts, tenderness, back pain, neck pain, and shortness of breath.

It can even affect your posture, confidence level and your attractiveness. Moreover, women who have large breasts can have a difficult time exercising and finding clothes that fit well.

To reduce breast size, choose simple lifestyle changes, dietary changes and home remedies. Bear in mind that these remedies do not specifically target the fatty tissue of the breast. You must lower your overall body fat, which will lead to a reduction in breast size.

1. Cardio and Strength-Training Exercises

A regular exercise regimen will help you lose fat throughout your body, including your breasts. Certain cardiovascular and strength-training exercises target fat in the chest and upper body.

• Focus on low-impact cardio workouts since most women who have very large breasts simply cannot do high-impact exercises like jogging or running. Do low-impact cardio exercises on equipment like a stationary bike, treadmill or elliptical trainer for 45 minutes, at least 5 days a week.
• Also, perform specific strength-training exercises to help tighten up the chest muscles and reduce breast size. Examples of these exercises include classic pushup and dumbbell bench press. Do these exercises with high repetitions between 8 to 12 reps in 2 or 3 sets, a few times a week.

Note: When exercising, always wear a well-fitted sports bra to prevent sagging breasts.

2. Aerobic Exercises

Aerobic exercises speed up your metabolism rate, which in turn reduces overall body fat. Once you start losing weight, your breasts will automatically reduce in size.

• Stair climbing is a simple aerobic exercise that you can do daily.
• Cycling is another great form of aerobic exercise.
• Brisk walking also helps burn fat all over your body.

Make sure to do aerobic exercises for 30 minutes, at least 4 or 5 times a week.

3. Massage

Massage is an age-old remedy to reduce overall body fat as well as breast size. When massaging your breasts, give equal time to each breast.

1. Apply warm olive or coconut oil on your breasts.
2. Using your middle finger and ring finger, massage each of the breasts in circular motions and upward direction for 10 minutes.
3. Repeat the massage twice daily for at least 3 months to notice size reduction.

You can also massage using a breast-reduction cream or lotion.

4. Ginger

In many traditional medicines, ginger is used to reduce breast size. It increases the body’s metabolic rate to help burn more fat. This also affects the breast size since they are mostly made of fatty tissues.

1. Boil 1 teaspoon of grated ginger in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes.
2. Strain, add a little honey and sip it slowly.
3. Drink 2 to 3 cups of ginger tea daily.

5. Green Tea

Green tea is also effective in aiding weight loss and reducing breast size. Catechins found in green tea promote weight loss by stimulating the body to burn calories and decreasing body fat. This helps reduce breast size. In addition, green tea reduces the risk of breast cancer.

1. Add 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves to a cup of hot water.
2. Cover and steep for a few minutes.
3. Strain, then add a little honey.
4. Drink 3 to 4 cups of green tea daily for at least a few months.

6. Flaxseed

Flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce estrogen levels in the body. A high estrogen level is one of the reasons behind enlarged breasts. In addition, flaxseeds aid in removing harmful toxins from the body.

• Add 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds to a glass of hot water. Drink it once daily.
• Another option is to take 1 to 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil daily.

Follow either of these remedies until you get the desired result.

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Premature Ejaculation: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

In recent years, the medical world has improved its recognition and understanding of male sexual dysfunction, including the problems men can experience when engaging in sexual intercourse. Premature ejaculation is one form of sexual dysfunction that can adversely affect the quality of a man's sex life.
Reaching climax and ejaculating semen during penetrative sex is the typical route by which babies are conceived, but premature ejaculation does not just complicate reproduction, it can also adversely affect sexual satisfaction, both for men and their partners. The information here aims to demystify premature ejaculation and outline active treatment options for those cases where it is desired.

Fast facts about premature ejaculation
Here are some key points about premature ejaculation. More detail and supporting information is in the body of this article.

• In medical terms, premature ejaculation is a form of sexual dysfunction where a man has always, or consistently climaxes and ejaculates before or very soon after sexual penetration, causing distress. Under strict criteria, premature ejaculation is relatively rare.
• Cases of premature ejaculation that do not meet the strict medical criteria for the sexual disorder are more common and are defined simply as a man climaxing and ejaculating sooner than he or his partner desire. Often, a man's partner is less concerned than the man himself.
• In the majority of cases, an inability to control ejaculation is rarely due to a medical condition, although doctors will need to rule this out, including checking for erectile dysfunction
• Most cases of premature ejaculation have psychological causes - ranging from common anxieties about sex and relationships resulting in a temporary problem, to more serious psychological factors contributing to a persistent problem.
• Premature ejaculation can lead to secondary symptoms such as distress, embarrassment, relationship stress, anxiety and depression.
• Treatment options range from reassurance from a doctor that the problem can go away in time, through home methods of "training" the timing of ejaculation (alone or with the help of a trusted partner), to talking therapies and couples counselling.
• Drug options are available, there are currently no medicines approved for use in treating premature ejaculation.
• Doctors may consider offering "off-label" prescription of a certain type of antidepressant to help with premature ejaculation, but such medication can have side-effects. Additionally, some men find it helpful to apply a local anaesthetic cream to their penis to delay ejaculation by decreasing sensation.

What is premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation is a form of male sexual dysfunction. From the point of view of the man and his sexual partner, premature ejaculation means the man having an orgasm or "climaxing" sooner than wanted.¹
Estimates of the number of men affected by premature ejaculation vary depending on how the problem is defined. A high proportion of men report being affected by premature ejaculation, whereas a very small proportion of men actually meet the medical criteria for the most persistent form.²

Medically, the most persistent form of premature ejaculation (primary or lifelong premature ejaculation) is defined by the presence of the following three problems from the point at which a man becomes sexually active:^2-4

• Ejaculation always, or nearly always, happening before sexual penetration has been achieved, or within about a minute of penetration
• The man finding an inability to delay his ejaculation every time, or nearly every time, he does achieve penetration
• Negative personal consequences, such as distress and frustration, or avoidance of sexual intimacy.

Premature ejaculation was once known, in Latin as ejaculatio praecox (the translation being "precocious ejaculation").² It is also called rapid or early ejaculation.
An internet search will also reveal a lot of slang or colloquial phrases for premature ejaculation, although these often have little bearing on the reality of lived experience and may instead reinforce false ideas that are harmful to men's mental health. For example, such slang terms can lead men to feel they are to blame, have failed, are alone in their problem, or cannot be treated, while the opposite is usually the case. Premature ejaculation can cause a lot of embarrassment in boys and men, with a significant degree of stigma often attached to male sexual performance.⁵

How many men experience premature ejaculation?

Information obtained through surveys puts the "self-reported" prevalence of premature ejaculation in men as somewhere between 15% and 30%.^2,6
However, the prevalence of medically diagnosed and diagnosable premature ejaculation is much lower.^2,6 This statistical disparity does not in any way diminish the suffering experienced by men who do not meet the strict criteria for diagnosis.^2,6
In one analysis of nearly 5000 men in nine Asia-Pacific countries, 16% of men met the criteria for a diagnosis of premature ejaculation (PE) on the five-question Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT).¹⁹ Probably PE was found in 15% of respondents, while 13% of men self-reported PE.

Interestingly, less than half (just 40%) of the men with PEDT-diagnosed PE self-reported the condition, and just 19% of those with probable PE self-reported having the condition. A large number of men (some 6% of respondents) had a negative PE diagnosis on the PEDT but reported PE.¹⁹
Primary or lifelong PE is the most persistent problem in men and describes a condition where men have rarely experienced sex without prematurely ejaculating. This is the least common form of the condition and is thought to affect around 2% of men.⁷
However, more loosely defined premature ejaculation remains the most common form of male sexual dysfunction - more common than erectile dysfunction.^6,7

Causes of premature ejaculation

Let's discuss the causes of premature ejaculation, from psychological factors to medical causes and erectile dysfunction.

Psychological factors

Most cases of premature ejaculation are not related to any disease and are instead due to psychological factors.
Examples of psychological causes of premature ejaculation include:^8,9

• Sexual inexperience
• Novelty of a relationship
• Overexcitement or too much stimulation
• Relationship stress
• Anxiety
• Guilty feelings
• Depression
• Issues related to control and intimacy.

These common psychological factors can affect men who have previously had normal ejaculation; such cases are often referred to as secondary or acquired premature ejaculation.⁷
Most cases of the rarer, more persistent form - primary or lifelong premature ejaculation - are also believed to be caused by psychological problems. The cause(s) of primary or lifelong PE can often be traced back to early trauma, such as:⁷

• Strict sexual teaching and upbringing - affecting young men who have been brought up under strict ideas that sex should be prohibited until marriage, for example, making enjoyment of sex more difficult because of a feeling that it is wrong or a sin
• Traumatic experiences of sex - anxiety and premature ejaculation can result from problems ranging from a loss of privacy when masturbating ("being caught" masturbating), to sexual abuse
• Conditioning - it is thought that early sexual behaviors can feed into later experiences of sex. One example is a teenager learning to ejaculate quickly to avoid being found masturbating. 

Medical causes of premature ejaculation

Biological causes of premature ejaculation are much less common than psychological ones. In rare cases, the cause can be more serious, such as nervous system damage as a result of surgery or physical trauma.¹⁰
The following are also possible medical causes of PE⁷ (doctors will focus on diagnosis and management of the underlying condition first and monitor for improvement in sexual function⁸):

Erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a condition that doctors will want to rule out or treat first when working with a patient concerned about premature ejaculation.^6,7
Some men may confuse erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, believing themselves to have the former when they actually have the latter. This is because the penis normally loses its firmness after ejaculation.⁶
In some cases of erectile dysfunction, heightened sensitivity caused by changes to the normal pattern of nerve signals means that much less stimulation is needed to cause ejaculation.⁷
Finally, some studies have found an association between levels of serotonin - a natural neurotransmitter chemical involved in mood and depression - and ejaculation problems. Men with low brain levels of serotonin may have problems with premature ejaculation.¹⁰ However, the role of such factors remains largely theoretical, especially given that scientists still have a fairly poor understanding of the normal physiological processes that produce ejaculation.²

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