Sex is a fundamental human need, and many consider it essential to their health and wellness. Unfortunately, many patients suffer in silence because this topic is frequently omitted from patient-provider encounters. No patient should ever feel too embarrassed to discuss health issues associated with sex or have these issues brushed aside. Our practice is committed to partnering with patients to identify barriers to sexual satisfaction and find the best treatment strategies.
A common sexual-health issue that is frequently under-diagnosed and treated is a condition called genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Symptoms include vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse, diminished libido, itching, burning, frequent UTIs, and difficulty achieving orgasms. As women progress through menopause and levels of estrogen decrease, symptoms can become more severe. Multiple treatments are available that can substantially enhance sexual experiences for patients suffering from this condition. We go above and beyond to make sure our menopausal and post-menopausal patients have robust libidos and satisfying sex lives.
Diminished libido and lack of sexual interest can also affect younger patients. In fact, it is extremely common for couples to experience diminished sexual interest, whether from one partner or both. When the sexual energy starts to disappear and couples are at risk of breaking up, we identify barriers to sexual intimacy and help find science-based solutions. Sometimes, it is just a matter of discontinuing a medication that diminishes libido or screening for and treating patients with low testosterone levels. Our practice believes that women can benefit from healthy libidos, so we do not limit testosterone options to men. We also partner with sexual health psychologists to help couples restore their sexual intimacy. Our approach is “don’t give up without consulting your PCP.”
Another barrier to sexual intimacy is erectile dysfunction, a condition that affects tens of millions of men in the United States. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a condition of older age. Many men in their 30s and 40s experience ED, and that number is rising. Over half of men in their 50s have ED, and most men over 70 suffer from this condition. Unfortunately, many of these patients feel too embarrassed to discuss this issue with their PCPs and experience compromised sexual health as a result. But sexual health isn’t the only thing that is compromised in patients with non-evaluated ED. ED is actually a predictor of major cardiac events since the same processes that compromise arteries in male genitalia affect the heart in the same way.
Our practice provides a safe space for men and women to discuss their most personal issues. We see sexual health as human issues that affect us all. There should be no shame in discussing sex with your PCP, and patients at our practice can feel confident knowing that they will be treated with the highest level of dignity and respect during these often sensitive conversations. We also provide judgment-free dignified care to patients needing testing and
treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, contraception and family planning, abnormal pap smears, and other sensitive topics. We are here to make the experience and conversation as effortless and comfortable as possible so you can leave feeling confident and empowered.
