|
Gluten and Its
Association With Illness
Vitamin D Importance
In Prevention and Treatment of Illness
Allergies & Sensitivities: LDA (Ultra Low
Dose Enzyme Activated Immunotherapy)
Post Traumatic Environmental Stress Disorder
Peace of Mind: Holistic
Approaches to Anxiety and ADD
Bipolar Disorder Can Be Treated With Medication
and Naturally
ALLERGY REDUCTION:
Improving Mood and Energy
Hidden Factors Behind Your
Persistent Illness
Adult
ADD:
To Medicate or Go Natural
Cancer
–
Finding Your Best Advisor
Overweight - The Risk and the Remedy
Loss
of Sexual Interest
Approaches in Helping Bipolar Sufferers
Help
for Panic and Anxiety Sufferer
Seasonal
Affective Disorder: The Winter Blues
Depression
Relief Speeds Health Recovery
Amino Acids
& Other Considerations in Depression Evaluation
Integrative
Medicine & Psychiatry
Blood
Pressure -
A Wake up Call
Addictions
- Breaking the Cycle
Suboxone: For Opiate Dependence
(for Western North Carolina Residents Only)
Spirituality:
The Core of
Healing in Integrative Psychiatry
|
Loss
of Sexual Interest
By Ronald R. Parks, MD
Complaining
of loss of sexual interest or drive is a frequent and an often-painful
admission for most people of either sex. It is a difficult
area to talk about as it is often felt to be embarrassing
or felt to represent some type of failure or inadequacy. This
is heightened by living in a society where sexuality is so
much of our culture fabric with its over emphasis in TV, movie,
magazines and advertising. Glamour and allure is seen everywhere.
A recent Oprah show was dedicated to the subject. A national
survey showed that 92% of 9000 woman studied had some degree
of dissatisfaction with sex and loss of sexual desire. At
least 78% hadn't discussed this with their health care practitioner,
and those who did were generally dissatisfied with the response.
Another
study showed that 43% of American women (about 40 million)
experience some form of sexual dysfunction. With an increased
awareness of women's health issues, women have begun to demand
the same level of attention for their sexual concerns as has
been given to men. Older and newer treatments for men have
been helpful as with the development and use of Viagra for
erectile dysfunction. Men with aging generally note decline
in their ease of stimulation or arousal and a more fragile
ability to maintain sexual activity. The urologist or family
physician often does a check up for proper functioning and
measures testosterone levels. Loss of testosterone levels
can result in loss of sexual desire, decrease in muscle strength,
physical endurance, and can effect moods.
Women
with aging or sometimes earlier in life, as after having children,
experience loss of sexual desire that causes personal distress.
Sometimes there is aversion and avoidance of sexual contact
with a partner. Other types of difficulties include difficulties
with attaining and maintaining sufficient sexual excitement
or difficulty lubricating or difficulties with other aspects
of the physical response, including the achievement of an
orgasm. There also may be pain problems associated with intercourse.
A gynecologist or family physician needs to be aware of the
frequency of these problems and to be available to give the
attention and expertise required. Hormone levels also needed
to be fully assessed in women, including testosterone levels
that can effect sexual desire if low or lacking. Integrative
medicine and psychiatry approaches these issues with men or
women by first providing the comfort and active listening
to understand the many dimensions effecting sexuality in any
given individual or couple. Both conventional and natural
alternatives for treatment would be considered. Poor nutrition,
over commitment to work, career, household demands, raising
children, breakdown in marriages or communications, lack of
education about healthy lifestyle and sexuality, and many
other areas need to be addressed. Significant marital discord,
inappropriate expectations of partners, depression, anxiety,
drug and alcohol abuse are areas where significant amount
of emphasis might need to be taken in term of education and
therapy, or counseling work. Complaints about sexuality might
be the gateway for individuals and couples working with an
integrative medicine health practitioner, to improve or resolve
health issues and as an aid in their personal growth and development.
By removing roadblocks to personal fulfillment and empowerment,
stronger and more sustainable relationship can be found and
achieved.
Ronald
R. Parks, M.D. is a practitioner of Integrative Medicine and
Psychiatry and is the director of MacroHealth Medicine in
Asheville, N.C. For information or consultation call (828)
225-1812.
|