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Female sexual problems
Difficulty reaching female orgasm
It's not uncommon for a woman to never have experienced an orgasm during sexual activity. If you have never had an orgasm, don’t worry. It’s a skill w...
Loss of female libido
It’s not unusual for a woman to lose interest in sex at some stage. Here’s information about a range of physical and psychological factors that can im...
Painful sex for women
Experiencing pain or discomfort during sex is fairly common, but in some cases there is an underlying cause.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Sex is part of a healthy relationship, but can carry risks. Learn about safe sex, STIs, spotting symptoms, and what to do if you get infected.
Vaginal bleeding
Vaginal bleeding isn't always related to menstruation. It can also be caused by infection or injury.
Vaginismus
Vaginismus occurs when the muscles around the vagina tighten involuntarily. Learn more about its common causes, symptoms and treatments.
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Problems becoming pregnant
Information for those who can't get pregnant including when you should see your doctor, plus links to trusted resources.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Protect your child from sexual abuse - NT.GOV.AU
Find out more about protecting your child from sexual abuse.
Read more on NT Health website
Female orgasm | myVMC
The female orgasm is a series of pleasurable physical sensations and feelings which occurs following, and represents the peak in, sexual stimulation. The experience involves both physical and emotional dimensions.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Parenting and Child Health - Health Topics - Fused labia (labial adhesions) - babies and young girls
In girls and women the external female genitals include the labia majora (larger outer lips) and the labia minora (smaller inner lips)
Read more on Women's and Children's Health Network website
Pregnancy - Pregnancy Topics - Survivors of child sexual abuse - pregnancy
Many women have experienced sexual abuse as a child
Read more on Women's and Children's Health Network website
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD, sex disorder) information | myVMC
Female sexual dysfunction is characterised by a woman not being able to have sex the way she would like to, for example by not being able to orgasm.
Read more on myVMC – Virtual Medical Centre website
Infertility
Whether you are trying to fall pregnant for the first time, or are already parents who would like more children, infertility can be a stressful and frustrating experience for everyone involved.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC)
SARC provides a 24-hour emergency service in metropolitan Perth, Western Australia providing; medical care, forensic examination and counselling support to people who have been sexually assaulted within the previous 14 days.
Read more on WA Health website
Sexual health
Sexual health A healthy sexual relationship can be an important part of someone's life
Read more on Diabetes Australia website
Fertility tests
If your doctor suspects there is a reason you have not fallen pregnant, there are a number of tests that can be done to determine your fertility.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
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Strategies for managing sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants | Cochrane
Antidepressants can have numerous effects on sexual function including altered sexual desire, erection difficulties and orgasm problems. This systematic review investigated different ways to manage such sexual dysfunction. We included 23 randomised studies, with a total of 1886 participants who had developed their sexual problems while taking antidepressant medication. Twenty-two of these studies looked at the addition of further medication to the ongoing treatment for depression. For men with antidepressant-induced erectile dysfunction, the addition of sildenafil (Viagra; three studies, 255 participants) or tadalafil (Cialis; one study, 54 participants) appeared to improve the situation. For women with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction the addition of bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban; three studies, 482 participants) at higher doses appears to be the most promising approach studied so far, but further data from randomised trials are likely to be required before it can be recommended confidently. We did not find evidence that any intervention led to a worsening of psychiatric symptoms; however, we cannot be confident of this for many of the interventions studied, as only small numbers of participants have been studied so far.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Interventions for sexual dysfunction following treatments for cancer | Cochrane
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Cognitive behavioural therapy for men who physically abuse their female partner | Cochrane
Violence by men against an intimate female partner is a serious and common problem, with between 10% and 34% of women reporting in national surveys that they have been assaulted by a male partner. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is used to reduce male violence by bringing about changes in how men think about violence and how they manage their behaviour. Some men volunteer to attend CBT treatment, while others are court mandated to participate. We included trials that involved both types of participants. The review found all randomised controlled evaluations of the effects of CBT on men's physical violence to their female partners worldwide, but there were only six small trials with a total of 2343 participants that met the inclusion criteria. The results of four of these trials, which compared men who received CBT with men getting no treatment, were combined. This was not able to show us whether or not CBT was better than no treatment. Similarly, the individual results of the other two trials, which compared CBT with another treatment, were inconclusive. Overall, the evidence from the included studies is insufficient to draw any conclusions.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Sexual difficulties in the menopause - Australasian Menopause Society
Sexual difficulties can be life-long or recently acquired, but they are a common presentation at the menopause.
Read more on Australasian Menopause Society website
Mood problems at menopause - Australasian Menopause Society
Mood disturbance, general symptoms of anxiety and depression are common during the menopause transition
Read more on Australasian Menopause Society website
Interventions for vaginismus | Cochrane
Vaginismus is when the muscles in the vagina tighten and prevent a woman having (vaginal) intercourse. It can cause distress, relationship problems and also infertility. Many treatments have been tried including sex therapy, education, hypnosis and drug treatments. Sex therapy may involve relaxation techniques and gradually inserting a dilator or finger into the vagina (this may be called systematic desensitisation).
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Updating the management of sexually transmitted infections | Issue 6 | Volume 38 | Australian Prescriber
The control of sexually transmitted infections relies on case-finding and treatment of sexual contacts to prevent further transmission. Screening for...
Read more on Australian Prescriber website
Vaginal dilators and intercourse are useful for alleviating post-radiotherapy vaginal problems, but more evidence is required to assess oestrogens and benzydamine | Cochrane
Vaginal dilators and intercourse are useful for alleviating post-radiotherapy vaginal problems, but more evidence is required to assess oestrogens and benzydamine
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Progesterone for preventing pre-eclampsia and its complications | Cochrane
No good evidence that giving the hormone progesterone to pregnant women will help women and babies avoid the problems of pre-eclampsia.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Birth control pills with 20 g estrogen versus more than 20 g estrogen | Cochrane
Concerns about safety have led to making birth control pills with less of the hormone estrogen. Pills with less estrogen might not work as well to prevent pregnancy and could cause bleeding problems. This review looked at studies that compared pills with 20 g ethinyl estradiol versus pills that have more estrogen.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
