Female sexual dysfunction: what the practice nurse needs to know

Abstract

For many women, practice nurses are the first point of contact for sexual or reproductive health concerns. Angela Gregory provides are overview of the basics of female sexual dysfunction The World Health Organization regards ‘sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing as essential if people are to have responsible, safe and satisfying sexual lives and that sexual health requires a positive approach to human sexuality’. General practice nurses are ideally placed to educate and address sexual concerns. Practice nurses are not expected to be experts in this field or to carry out specialist assessment, examination and treatment, but there are opportunities to initiate discussion, identify potential sexual issues, provide simple advice and treatment, signpost to online resources and refer to medical colleagues or specialist services. Two common sexual complaints – sexual desire/interest concerns and sexual/genital pain – are discussed with an emphasis on the importance of recognising and treating the silent symptoms of the menopause and pelvic floor dysfunction due to their significant impact on female sexual function.