Personalized Sexual Health Solutions for Women
Dr. Dana Russo understands that women’s sexual health is closely linked to overall wellness. If you're experiencing low libido or sexual pain, there may be underlying conditions affecting your well-being. She believes that sexual health influences all aspects of the body and is dedicated to helping women thrive in every area of life, ensuring they achieve true wellness.
The Importance of Women’s Sexual Health
For women, sexual health and vitality collectively have a huge emotional, physical, and psychological impact. Unfortunately, society has a number of misconceptions and taboos surrounding this subject. Many believe that women are simply not as sexual as men or that sexual enjoyment is not important to women. As an expert in gynecology and hormone health, Dr. Russo has found these views to be false.
When women are healthy, both psychologically and physiologically, they can and should enjoy a healthy sex life. Dr. Russo wants to help her patients achieve this level of optimal sexual health.
Hormonal Influences on Women’s Sexual Health
For women, hormones, especially estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, have a direct impact on their sexual function and desire. Many cases of sexual dysfunction in women are directly connected to hormonal imbalances or the normal hormonal changes that a woman has during life.
There are three the 3 P’s, that can impact hormones and sexual health. These include:
- Puberty – The normal menstrual cycle causes shifts in hormones as the body moves through the cycle.
- Pregnancy – Pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life, but it causes intense hormonal changes. Working through these not only supports a healthy pregnancy and birth experience but also sexual health.
- Perimenopause – During menopause, the body stops releasing eggs, leading to the cessation of estrogen and progesterone production. However, the ovaries still produce a small amount of testosterone. This can cause problems with vaginal dryness and a lack of sexual desire, impacting a woman's sexual arousal and intimacy.
In addition to these normal life changes, some women experience hormonal imbalances for other reasons. Regardless of the cause, all of these can impact sexual health. Dr. Russo has many years of experience in gynecology and functional medicine, and she uses that knowledge to assist with hormone optimization, ensuring women’s health and well-being.
Common Challenges for Women’s Sexual Health
Hormone shifts can cause some common issues for many women. For some, low estrogen or progesterone levels lead to vaginal dryness, which creates pain during sex. Low libido can make it difficult to want to engage in sex with a partner, and pain for other reasons is also common.
Not only do these concerns have a physical effect, but they can affect women emotionally and psychologically. They may suffer from low self-esteem when they can’t enjoy a healthy sex life. It can also impact their relationships, affecting intimacy and emotional connection, as partners may feel like they aren’t able to fulfill their partners’ needs.
4 Causes of Female Sexual Dysfunction
- Desire Disorders: This disorder affects a women’s desire or interest sex, which is commonly referred to as libido. Also referred to as hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Low estrogen and testosterone levels can cause these hormonal changes as well as other medical, social and psychological disorders.
- Arousal Disorders: Arousal disorders affect a women’s physical ability to get prepared for intercourse like vaginal lubrication and increased vascular dilatation and engorgement of the clitoris. In men, this is called, erectile dysfunction. Women have the interest in intercourse but unable to have the physical changes necessary to make intercourse pleasurable.
- Climax Disorder: This disorder refers to the difficulty or inability to reach orgasm even after sufficient sexual stimulation. Unlike arousal disorders, where the challenge is in the physical preparation for sex, or desire disorders, which concern the interest in sexual activity, climax disorder specifically involves challenges in achieving the peak of sexual pleasure.
- Orgasmic Disorder: This disorder is when women can’t have orgasms, difficultly achieving them or lessened orgasmic responses.
The Role of Pelvic Health
In addition to hormones, pelvic floor health is an essential part of sexual well-being. As women age, their pelvic floor muscles can weaken. Pregnancy and childbirth increase this risk. Weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to problems with orgasm, which hurts a woman’s sexual desire. Dr. Russo uses non-invasive treatments like Emsella and pelvic floor therapy, including pelvic floor exercises, to help her patients strengthen these muscles and improve their sexual health.
Dr. Russo’s Comprehensive Approach to Women's Sexual Health
Because Dr. Russo believes in a holistic approach to all health concerns, including sexual health concerns, she helps women explore the underlying causes of their sexual health needs. Her comprehensive approach looks at the physical, emotional and psychological aspects of sexual health, addressing each one to find the right solution. This customized, tailored approach brings a high level of success to her patients.
Once she finds the underlying cause, Dr. Russo has a number of non-invasive treatment options and natural solutions to restore a woman’s sexual health and drive. These include:
- Supplementation
- Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)
- Vaginal rejuvenation and restoration
Modern Innovations in Women’s Sexual Health
With extensive expertise as a board-certified gynecologist and functional medicine physician, Dr. Russo remains at the forefront of women’s health. She brings innovative, non-invasive treatments to her patients to help them enjoy a fulfilling sex life. These treatments, including Emsella, Vaginal Laser, Medical Weight Loss, BHRT, peptide therapy and O-Shot injections, are safe and effective options to help women regain their sexual vitality. These treatments are backed by significant research showing their effectiveness.
Communication is the Key to Sexual Health
Talking to a healthcare provider about sexual health can feel uncomfortable, but Dr. Russo’s patient-centered approach and safe, welcoming environment make it easier to discuss intimate issues. Open communication, even about challenging topics, with a trusted healthcare provider is essential to overcoming sexual health concerns.
Take Charge of Your Sexual Health with Essenza Health
Sexual health is an essential part of your overall wellness. If you are struggling, Dr. Russo has holistic solutions. Ready to take the first step toward a more fulfilling and vibrant life? Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward a more fulfilling and vibrant life. Call or text us to book your appointment today.