How to Help You and Your Partner Get in the Mood

You may feel embarrassed about discussing your low libido with your doctor. Or you may think that it’s not a “real” medical concern. 

But in reality, your intimate life is an important part of your overall health. The quality of your sexual relationships impacts your emotional well-being, which affects many aspects of your health. 

In fact, various studies have shown that a healthy sex life is linked to better sleep, a stronger immune system, and even a lower migraine risk. 

As the only doctor in the region who is a fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, Dr. Peter Khamvongsa is truly concerned about the role that sexual health plays in your life. 

You can talk to him about any issue, including low libido, when you come in for your well-woman visit at the Miami Institute of Urogynecology and Minimally Invasive Surgery.

The role of sexuality in your life

We’re all incredibly busy with work, family, and countless other responsibilities. Often, sex loses out to the desire to sleep and the need to tend to other duties. 

Sexual dysfunction can also be the result of trauma, age-related problems, medical conditions, or emotional challenges like depression. 

But this doesn’t mean that you have to feel disconnected from your partner. Dr. Khamvongsa makes it clear to his patients that even though it can be hard to discuss, sexual education isn’t just about birth control and learning about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). 

It’s also about adopting an open attitude toward discussing sex. A frank and fruitful discussion with Dr. Khamvongsa can lead to a solution or treatment plan for your low libido. 

What problems can ruin the mood?

It’s not just physical problems like menopause-related vaginal dryness or erectile dysfunction that can cause you to feel distant from your partner. It’s also challenges like:

• Retaining sexual closeness if you’re also trying to get pregnant
• Preserving your relationship after trauma, such as sexual assault
• Navigating sexual issues if you’e a member of the LGBTQ community
• Determining if you and your partner’s sense of sexual adventure are similar

All of these situations can negatively affect desire and even eliminate it completely. 

Your sex life isn’t a sprint but a marathon. Life circumstances, age, and other factors mean that your libido waxes and wanes during your lifetime. Rest assured that this is normal, but there’s no shame in seeking help when it’s waned to a point that you find distressing.

How to keep the fire burning

Dr. Khamvongsa discusses several types of treatment that can get your satisfaction levels back to normal:

1. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Hormonal fluctuations that start in perimenopause can end with lowered estrogen levels as a natural result of stopping your periods. This can also cause vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse.  HRT can help you find a better balance and restore your desire at the same time. 
2. Urogynecological problems like pelvic floor prolapse and incontinence often contribute to a lack of desire and intimacy. Dr. Khamvongsa offers a range of treatments for these and other conditions, including surgical solutions.
3. Lifestyle changes, like cutting out smoking and eliminating or lessening alcohol or recreational drug use, can contribute to an increase in desire, since these things can suppress your libido. A healthy diet, exercise, effective stress management, and quality rest can also increase your energy, which boosts your desire.
4. Medications and minimally invasive surgery can help treat conditions like endometriosis and uterine fibroids, both of which cause painful intercourse and a host of other unpleasant symptoms. 
5. Counseling work with a therapist can help you get to the root of your lack of desire or help you evaluate issues in your relationship that might be unresolved. This work may also address depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, all of which can dampen your mood.

Certain prescription medications can lower your libido. Dr. Khamvongsa can review your medications, and if possible, suggest safe substitutes for ones that may be problematic. 

If you’re struggling with a lack of desire, Dr. Khamvongsa can help you figure out why it’s happening. He will create a treatment plan to get you back on track to a satisfying intimate life with your partner. 

Call 786-220-8664 to set up a consultation with us, or book an appointment online. We are open and practicing all COVID-19 safety protocols to ensure your safety.