Psychologist Dr. Janice Stefanacci Steward says that sexual dysfunction stems largely from a society that offers people no models of normal, healthy sexuality. “If we look to the media, we see things that are totally aberrant in terms of frequency and potency. We see relationships portrayed between males and females where there is power and domination, or submission and seduction. Role models of healthy sexual communication and actualization are virtually nonexistent. People need a sense of what is normal.
“They also need time to think about sexuality as an integrated part of their personality. Our culture is very fragmented in this regard. Many, many people, men and women alike, never spend time thinking about their sexuality. In fact, if you were to take an informal survey and ask people, ‘What is sexuality?’ a good proportion of them would say, ‘It’s sex. It’s something you do, maybe in the bedroom, maybe at night.’ Nobody is really sure how often you are supposed to have it or how long it is supposed to last. Most people don’t realize that sexuality is a completely integrated part of their personality, as much as actualizing in education or interpersonal relationships. Sexuality is very much a part of who we are, how we present ourselves in the world, what we do, and how we think of ourselves. Our adequacy and our self-esteem are tied up in our sexuality.”
Some sex researchers question the whole concept of sexual dysfunction, promoting broader and less rigid definitions of sexual response and pleasure. “The Masters and Johnson model of sexual response—excitement, plateau, orgasm, and resolution—is very performance-oriented,” says Rebecca Chalker, a women’s health activist whose book, The Clitoral Truth, explores ways in which feminists are redefining male standards. “After desire and willingness, the only other compulsory element is pleasure,” Chalker points out. “Pleasure and intimacy are the real goals of sexual activity, and if you look at it that way, the concept of sexual dysfunction simply collapses.”
Nevertheless, women may worry when they have difficulty achieving orgasm, especially with a partner, and men become concerned if they have difficulty controlling ejaculations and getting or maintaining erections. Both women and men are also distressed when they don’t feel sexual attraction. In fact, most people who seek out counseling do so for difficulties with sexual communication and the lack of sexual desire.
Early on, through regular masturbation, boys learn what feels good and how to reliably get orgasms. Girls often wait to begin sexual exploration until they engage in sexual activity with a partner; they miss out on the benefits of selfexploration. “Learning about sex from boys or men isn’t the best thing for women,” Chalker says.
Many sex therapists recommend that women explore their sexual response through masturbation, using a vibrator, sex toys, and sexy videos to stimulate sexual fantasies. You may also want to experiment with things like aromatherapy, oils, and herbs. After sufficient homework, you can try integrating these changes into sex with your partner. Another important change heterosexual couples can make is to try rewriting the “intercourse script.” That is, plan to have sexual sessions where intercourse will not take place.
Chalker points out that there are two powerful aspects of our sexuality—the physiological and the psychological—and that “neither can live without the other.” Unfortunately, it is the psychological problems that are the more difficult to deal with. Psychological problems manifest themselves in various ways. “Today, we have enormous resources that we didn’t have a few years ago to help with sexual problems,” Chalker notes. “I’ve reviewed some of the herbal aids and remedies here, and I encourage the reader to explore the wide range of resources available in book stores or by mail order.”
Of course, sexual dysfunction can also have physical causes. One, Dr. Vicki Hufnagel reminds us, is “improperly performed episiotomies.” In Prevention magazine, Dr. Tori Hudson lists a number of other factors that can affect the sex drive. She says that sexual problems can be related to menopause, nonmenopause-related hormonal changes (often following pregnancy), medications (Prozac, Zoloft, Sertraline, and others), depression, relationship issues, a chronic health problem, fatigue, and others. “In order to diagnose the cause correctly, your health professional would have to ask you many specific questions,” she says. Hormonal factors may involve low levels of testosterone or DHEA, although it is not known precisely what effect these hormones have on the libido. If blood tests show that levels are low, supplementation may be in order.
Studies show that a heightened libido and orgasmic intensity are related to blood levels of histamine. Women who have low histamine levels tend to experience low sexual excitement, while those with a high level are more able to sustain orgasms. Nutrients that increase histamine levels include vitaminB5 and the bioflavonoid rutin. Broccoli, parsley, cherries, grapes, peppers, melons, and citrus fruits are good food sources of vitaminB5 and rutin.
Dr. Tori Hudson says that oral testosterone (available only by prescription), and/or a testosterone cream applied two to three times a week or rubbed into the external genital area before sex have been used to stimulate sexual responsiveness. DHEA, the B-complex vitamins, adrenal extracts, and the herbs ginseng and damiana may also help improve sexual response. Dr. Hudson notes, however, that remedies that focus on sexual drive without addressing general health and emotional issues will not have a consistent effect.
Dr. Janson offers an example of a general supplement program that can be an initial step in treating sexual dysfunction:
“Aromatherapy is fantastic for helping women regain their sense of sensuality,” declares aromatherapist Ann Berwick. Following are her recommendations.
Rose is wonderful for enhancing feminine qualities. It brings out the loving, tender side of us that wants to surrender. Clary sage heightens sensation. It takes you out of your body and into a different realm, allowing you to relax and enjoy the romance. Sandalwood is a wonderful oil for people not in touch with their physical side. It is very earthy and very deep. Jasmine restores self-confidence in people who have been through traumatic sexual experiences. It can help women who have been abused or who are emotionally closed off from damaging relationships.
“By blending different oils, you can create a formula that enhances the sensual side of your nature,” says Berwick. She suggests adding them to the bath or using them while massaging a partner or in self-massage. A personal perfume can be made and used daily. “Surrounding yourself with these glorious scents is a wonderful help.”
Registered nurse and acupuncturist Abigail Rist-Podrecca explains sexual dysfunction from an Eastern point of view: “Chinese medicine looks to the root of the cause rather than just the symptoms, and the root seems to be the kidney. The kidneys are called the roots of life. Everything stems from the kidney, they say.”
Weak kidney function can be diagnosed in Eastern medicine in multiple ways, including facial diagnosis: “Under the eye is the thinnest tissue in the entire body,” explains Rist-Podrecca. “You can see through the skin there. If the blood is not being cleared by the kidneys and detoxified, you will see a darkness under the eyes. People will say, ‘I haven’t had enough sleep, ’ but it goes beyond that. In Chinese medicine, that darkness signals that the kidneys are not functioning optimally, so the blood isn’t being cleansed.”
She goes on to describe various factors that can drain the kidneys. “Cold can deplete the kidneys. Many people can’t tolerate cold. This is so because in the winter, the kidney’s function becomes suppressed, much the same way as the sap in a tree runs to the core and into the roots. When people have a compromised kidney situation, where it isn’t functioning optimally, they can’t stand cold weather.
“Overwork and tension can also weaken kidney function because the kidneys and the adrenal glands (the adrenal sits on top of the kidney) are considered one and the same in Chinese medicine. So too much stress, and too many chemical toxins, deplete kidney functioning.” Hundreds of Chinese herbs nourish kidney function. Here Rist-Podrecca names a few:
HAR SHAR WOO—This is an essential herbal formula for nourishing kidney function. It is also said to darken the hair. Hair, bone, teeth, joints, and sexual functions are tied up with the kidney energies. When you energize the kidneys, you affect all these different areas. When combined with dong quai, har shar woo helps the type of kidney dysfunction that causes low back pain.
ROMANIA—Romania is a dark black herb that is high in iron and helps to nourish the blood and improve kidney function.
DONG QUAI—Dong quai resembles a cross-section of the uterus, and has an affinity for this area of the body.
An increasing body of evidence is showing the benefits of natural modalities to overall health and well-being. Following is a sample of recent peer-reviewed scientific studies relating to sexual dysfunction.
A 2013 article in Life Extension Magazine cites research indicating that three complementary botanical-based compounds are useful for improving a woman’s sexual function: Cordyceps sinensis extract, Lepidium meyenii (maca) extract, and EstroG-100TM three-extract blend. Cordyceps sinensis, a medicinal mushroom, balances levels of estrogen and testosterone, promotes normal vaginal lubrication and sexual function, and reduces inflammation, among other things. Maca helps achieve the optimum balance of nutrients utilized by the body’s neuroendocrine system. The third compound contains three plant extracts—Phlomis umbrosa, Cynanchum wilfordii, and Angelica gigas Nakai (Korean Angelica)—which act to regulate estrogenic activity. Following up on research showing that saffron benefited men who experienced sexual dysfunction as a side effect of taking Prozac (fluoxetine) for depression, a 2013 study in Human Psychopharmacology revealed that women who took 30 milligrams/day of saffron extract in combination with their antidepressant medication had similarly improved sexual function.