Women who suffer from persistent or recurrent problems associated with normal sexual function can experience significant mental distress and they are termed to be suffering from "female sexual dysfunction". Female sexual disorders are not only a source of stress for women but also a major cause for marital discord and strained relationships between partners.

The good news is that understanding the problem, communicating adequately with the partner and seeking prompt treatment can play a major role in helping out such patients since most of the causes of female sexual disorders are treatable.

The problems that keep a woman from enjoying sex can occur at any level of a normal sexual response and can present as one or more of the following:

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) / Inhibited Sexual Desire (ISD):

The woman does not have adequate or any desire for a sexual activity in this case.

Inability to become aroused / Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD):

In this case, there may be a desire for sexual activity but the woman cannot be aroused sufficiently.

Difficulty with orgasm / Female Orgasmic Disorder (FOD):

One of the commonest of female sexual disorders, the woman does not reach orgasm / climax during sexual intercourse in this case.

Painful intercourse / Dyspareunia

A large number of women experience pain during sexual intercourse at some point of their lives making this a highly common disorder.