Anorgasmia: The inability to achieve orgasm.
Apomorphine: A drug that acts to increase genital blood flow
and smooth muscle relaxation that is currently being tested as a treatment
for female sexual arousal disorder.
Clitoris: A small erectile organ situated toward the front
or top part of the vulva (vaginal exterior). During sexual arousal,
the smooth muscles within the clitoris relax and the arterial wall
dilates, increasing blood flow. A woman's difficulty or inability
to achieve blood flow to the clitoris is a symptom of female sexual
arousal disorder.
Contraindications: A symptom or condition that makes a particular
treatment or therapy inadvisable.
CTD: A clitoral therapy device, such as the Eros Therapy.
Endometrial cancer: Cancer of the uterus lining.
Engorgement: This occurs when the clitoris fills with blood.
Also known as "tumescence."
Erectile dysfunction: The lack of blood flow to the penis
causing the inability to achieve an erection.
Estrogen: A female sex hormone that stimulates the development
of female sex characteristics, or physical characteristics not directly
associated with reproduction, such as breasts.
Female Sexual Arousal Disorder or FSAD:The persistent or recurrent
inability to attain or maintain sufficient sexual excitement, causing
personal distress. It may be expressed as lack of subjective excitement
or a lack of genital (lubrication/swelling) or other somatic responses.
FSAD is a type of Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD).
Female Sexual Dysfunction or FSD: The persistent inability
to attain or maintain adequate genital lubrication or swelling responses
resulting in personal distress. FSD includes problems associated with
sexual desire, arousal, orgasm and pain.
Fibroid: A benign tumor made up of fibrous and muscular tissue
that especially occurs in the uterus wall.
Fibrosis: The scarring and stiffening of tissues.
Genitals: Reproductive organs such as the vagina in women
and the penis in men.
Hormonal Replacement Therapy (HRT): Oral medication consisting
of the hormones estrogen, progestin and/or testosterone given to menopausal
and post-menopausal women to prevent vaginal atrophy, sexual dysfunction,
hot flashes, osteoporosis and incontinence.
Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus.
Incontinence: The inability to control urine leakage. Can
be caused by an estrogen deficiency or by nerve damage through hysterectomy
surgery. Incontinence can cause FSAD.
Libido: A desire for sex, or sex drive. Menopause: The period
when a woman permanently stops menstruating and is no longer able
to conceive. During this period, a woman's ovaries stop producing
the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The average age of natural
menopause is 50 years old, however, women who have had surgery to
remove reproductive organs (such as a hysterectomy) may experience
menopause at an earlier age.
Off-Label Drug: Drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration
to treat particular conditions because they have been shown to be
safe and effective. However, medical professionals may use the same
drug to treat other conditions for which safety and effectiveness
has not been clinically proven. This unapproved use of
the drug is considered off-label.
Orgasm: The climax of sexual excitement.
Perimenopause: A time of gradual changes leading up to and
following menopause. Hormone changes during this time may result in
changes in menstrual flow patterns, hot flashes, anxiety, irritability,
fatigue, decreased libido and sleep problems. Perimenopause may start
as early as 40 to 45 years of age.
Phentolamine: A drug that acts to increase genital blood flow
and smooth muscle relaxation that is currently being tested as a treatment
for female sexual arousal disorder.
Postmenopausal: Having already undergone menopause (as in
"a postmenopausal woman") or occurring after menopause (as
in "postmenopausal osteoporosis").
Prostaglandin: A drug that has been shown to increase penile
blood flow in men is now being tested for use in vaginal gels and
sprays to treat female sexual arousal disorder.
Progesterone: A female sex hormone that regulates reproductive
functions.
Sexual Dysfunction: Physical and mental difficulties with
arousal, lack of desire, fear of intimacy and overactive sexual activity.
Difficulties may be persistent, recurring or once in a lifetime. See
also Erectile Dysfunction.
Testosterone: A male sex hormone causing the development of
the male reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics.
Tumescence: This occurs when the clitoris fills with blood.
Also known as "engorgement."
Uterus: A muscular organ found only in the female in which
the baby develops before birth.
Vaginal Atrophy: The thinning, drying and irritation of the
vaginal lining in menopausal women.