Sexual Dysfunction -

What is sexual dysfunction?

Female sexual dysfunction refers to ongoing or recurrent problems that interfere with a woman’s ability to experience sexual desire, arousal, pleasure, lubrication, orgasm, or satisfaction. It can affect comfort and any phase of the sexual response cycle. It may involve physical, hormonal, emotional, or relationship factors. Sexual dysfunction that occurs in women may lead to distress, decreased intimacy, or difficulty engaging in sexual activity.

Common Related Conditions

Dyspareunia (Intercourse Pain)

Hormonal Imbalances (Low Estrogen, Progesterone, or Testosterone)

Chronic Pain Conditions

Endometriosis (Due To Pain and Pelvic Imbalance)

Causes of sexual dysfunction

Clear Passage® has researched female sexual dysfunction for several decades, and we find a significant amount is caused by tiny but powerful collagen cross-links, the building blocks of adhesions. When bacteria enter the vagina, the womb is a perfect place for bacteria to grow. When bacteria attach to vaginal surfaces, your body sends powerful strands of collagen, the building blocks of adhesions, to surround and isolate the bacteria to help your immune system fight them off.

The body creates internal curtains of ‘adhesions’ on the walls of the vagina to isolate the bacteria. After bacteria die, these curtain-like internal bonds tend to remain on vaginal walls like an internal glue. These immobile bonds can cause pain or significantly mask sexual response, causing decreases in desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm.

We actually learned we could dramatically help this area ‘by accident’ when middle-aged women began calling us, reporting toe-curling orgasms in the months following therapy for other pelvic conditions we treated. When so many called, we started keeping data, then creating studies on decreasing pain and increasing orgasms and sexual function after our therapy.

However, during the course of life, the female reproductive tract may be subjected to numerous traumas (e.g., falls or abuse), infections (vaginal, urinary, bacterial, or STDs), inflammations (PID, endometriosis), and surgery. Besides bacteria, any of these conditions can lead to adhesion and scar tissue formation at the entrance or walls of the vagina, or in nearby structures. In fact, adhesions can form anywhere in the female reproductive tract, causing painful intercourse and decreased or absent sensation, desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, or total infertility.

Like tiny but very strong straitjackets, adhesions can bind the internal mechanisms of urogenital and reproductive tissues, or attach organs to other structures, restricting movement and function, and sometimes causing pain. Adhesions may act like a blanket, covering and muting the response of some of the delicate tissues that are responsible for sexual response – the vaginal opening, cervix, G-spot, and vaginal walls.

Broader findings: Female sexual dysfunction can arise from a combination of physical, hormonal, psychological, and relational factors. Physical causes may include medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, pelvic floor dysfunction, chronic pain, or side effects from medications like antidepressants or blood pressure drugs. Hormonal imbalances such as low estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone can affect desire, lubrication, and arousal. Psychological factors, including stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, body-image concerns, or relationship conflict, can also play a major role. Lifestyle influences such as smoking, alcohol or substance use, poor sleep, and high stress may contribute as well. In many cases, multiple factors interact, making sexual dysfunction a complex condition that varies from person to person.

Symptoms of sexual dysfunction

Low or absent sexual desire
Difficulty becoming or staying aroused
Reduced lubrication or genital dryness
Pain during sexual activity (dyspareunia)
Difficulty achieving orgasm or delayed orgasm
Inability to reach orgasm (anorgasmia)
Decreased sexual satisfaction or pleasure
Emotional distress, frustration, or avoidance of sexual activity
Erectile difficulties (for men)*
Premature or delayed ejaculation (for men)*

*Clear Passage does not treat male infertility

Treatment for sexual dysfunction

With published success in 56% to 96% of women, our success in improving sexual function and decreasing pelvic pain has been very promising. In the hundreds of women we have treated for pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction, we usually find that tiny internal scars (adhesions) are the direct cause or significantly contribute to their symptoms. Physicians can overlook these strong, sometimes microscopic structures for several reasons. Adhesions can be so small that they are impossible to view, even using advanced medical imaging such as CT, MRI, ultrasound, or X-ray. While we can feel them, the cause and structure of adhesions are nearly impossible for doctors to treat when they form on or within the delicate tissues of the vagina.

Our therapists use their hands and a protocol of over 200 manual techniques to detach pelvic and vaginal adhesions, often reducing or eliminating sexual concerns permanently. We work well within the patient’s tolerance level; the patient is always in control of the pressure we use at each moment during therapy. Most of our therapy is external, as we treat the legs, hips, and other structures that attach to the areas of pain. If we treat internally, we do so with your permission. We always use a gloved hand and work slowly and gently. All therapy is performed with respect and dignity in a private treatment room, following established guidelines for draping and the presence of chaperones. The patient always has the choice to refuse internal therapy, although it is highly recommended for improving sexual response.

We direct therapy to the areas that are causing symptoms. For some women, pain may occur at one or more locations at or near the opening of the vagina. Others experience deeper problems. Some women experience pain in both areas.

Women who bring their partner along to therapy are able to test their progress by having intercourse during treatment week, usually starting about halfway through therapy. This feedback can help us determine which areas are being relieved and which areas still need attention during upcoming treatment sessions.

Some women absorb infections, repetitive traumas, and stresses to the pelvis without experiencing symptoms or negative side effects. However, some women experience significant, long-lasting symptoms as tiny but powerful adhesive fibers rob their bodies of the easy mobility and extensibility of normal tissues.

Bound by adhesions, they may also experience other symptoms, such as anorgasmia (inability or difficulty reaching orgasm) and decreased desire or lubrication. When we treat the vaginal tissues, these symptoms tend to resolve or improve dramatically. Our work addresses all of these conditions, with positive results generally lasting years or a lifetime.

Condition Specific Disclaimer:

The information provided about sexual dysfunction is for educational purposes only. Sexual dysfunction can have many medical, hormonal, psychological, and relational causes that require evaluation by a licensed physician or healthcare profession.

Testimonials:

To read Clear Passage® Therapy patient success stories, please visit our Testimonials page.

Sexual Dysfunction