Questions to Facilitate the Assessment of Female Sexual Functioning
QUESTION INTERPRETATION OF “YES” ANSWERS*
Are you currently sexually active (with men, women, or both)?
Continue to the next question (if “No,” also continue to the next question)
Do you have any sexual health concerns? Continue to the next question
Specifically, any distress related to:
- Your level of sexual desire/interest? Assess for sexual interest/arousal disorder
- Your ability to become or stay sexually aroused (“turned on,” vaginal lubrication, blood flow/warmth/tingly feelings in genitals)? Assess for sexual interest/arousal disorder
- Your ability to experience or reach the desired intensity of an orgasm? Assess for orgasmic disorder
- Are you experiencing any genital pain? Assess for genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction
- Vaginal dryness or burning? Assess for genitourinary syndrome of menopause
- Pain with sexual activity (insertional or deeper pain)? Assess for genitourinary syndrome of menopause and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction
Lifestyle
The key to a successful encounter at Joliee Sexual Health is to honestly assess the level of distress a woman has, and to identify the root cause of her distress. A thorough discussion of her medical history, psychological background and real life experiences help to direct her wellness plan.Psychosocial counseling for sexual dysfunction is available for those women who need therapeutic counseling and reframing of their sexual experiences and expectations. Hormone Replacement (alternatives including pellets) are an option for those women who are safe candidates for hormone replacement and who would benefit from it effects based on their complaints. Cosmetic vaginal procedures are available for those women who have functional as well as cosmetic concerns regarding their sexual function. An example of this is asymmetry of the labia, or redundancy of labial tissue or laxity of the perineum, entroitus or vaginal walls. Some women, for example, complain of air entering the vagina during sex, and this typically is a sign of laxity in the pelvic floor and vaginal walls.
Vaginal experience:
Laser vaginal resurfacing (to address lubrication, vaginal caliber, and female incontinence.) Laser vaginal resurfacing is done with a CO2 laser to make microperforations or holes in the vaginal walls. This act recruits the bodys natural healing mechanism, new blood flow to the area and regenerating cells. The result is improved vaginal skin elasticity, moisture production and strength to the small muscle layer under the skin. Studies and experience has shown that women with incontinence often benefit from laser vaginal resurfacing as the result strengthens the sling muscle responsible for continence. O shot is a platelet rich protein extracted from the patients own blood. Platelet rich plasma therapy is a form of regenerative medicine that can harness the body’s ability to amplify the natural growth factors to heal tissue. The “O spot” then harnesses additional blood flow and improves sexual pleasure.
Pelvic physical therapy:
Physical therapy treatment can treat sexual dysfunction through muscle re-education, neural mobilizations, joint mobilizations, soft tissue mobilization for improved blood flow and therapeutic exercises.
