What Causes Frigidity?

Frigidity is a pejorative, sexist term primarily used by men to categorize and describe the absence of sexual interest, arousal and responsiveness of women to intercourse. The term imposes an implication of blame on the woman for the existence of this condition. According to Malcolm G. Freeman in his 1990 book, "The Sexual History," the word frigidity has no medical meaning and it hasn't been used by professionals in the medical and psychological fields since the mid-1970s. Frigidity, properly defined, is called female sexual dysfunction.

Types

• Female sexual dysfunction covers a spectrum of conditions and its causes can be either physiological or psychological or both. Freeman includes these conditions: anorgasmia (absence of orgasm), dyspareunia (persistent painful intercourse), vaginismus (involuntary closing of the pubic muscles), sexual anesthesia, sexual aversion, lack of sexual knowledge, poor body image, shyness, inexperience, low or loss of libido, fear of pregnancy, unresolved anger toward partner, insufficient lubrication, a difference in sexual needs, a rejection of an unacceptable sexual practice, a dislike of experimentation, and more.

Causes

• Jennifer R. Berman et. al.'s 2000 article in the Journal of European Urology also includes hypoactive sexual desire (lack of or excessive sexual fantasies). Underlying physiological causes of female sexual dysfunction include: disruptions of vasogenic (high blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and heart disease), neurogenic (diabetes, spinal cord injuries), hormonal, (medical castration, menopause, premature ovarian failure, chronic birth control pill intake), psychogenic (relationship, emotional, body issues, low self esteem), and musculogenic (problems with the pelvic floor muscles leading to pain) systems. Some changes in hormonal levels are because of aging. Low levels of testosterone may lead to reduced libido, responsiveness and sensitivity as well as reductions in orgasms. Genital dryness and discomfort are related to reduced levels of estrogen.

Treatments

• Some female sexual dysfunctions also are related to anxiety and depression disorders that may be complicated by sexual side effects to medications prescribed to treat these disorders. There are a growing variety of treatments available including: estrogen replacement therapy, methyltestosterone (controversial testosterone therapy often applied as a cream), Sildenafil and L-Arginine (muscle relaxants).

Considerations

• Determining the scope of the psychological aspects of female sexual dysfunction as underlying causes of the disorder is generally done in advance of some of the physiological treatments in order to improve the overall outcome. Although the presenting disorder may be physiological in origin, its presentation is likely to have caused disruptions in how the individual perceives herself, so this two-pronged approach to treatment currently is the most effective.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosing female sexual dysfunction and determining the actual cause of the issue is done by working with experts in urology and psychology as well as other specialties, physicians who have a comprehensive understanding of the entire condition.