Sexual dysfunction is common

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Dear Edward and Heather,My boyfriend and I have been together for a little over a year now. I enjoy being with him, but sexually it doesn’t seem to be working. We can have sex for an hour or more, but no matter how long we go, I have never been able to reach orgasm. Is there something wrong with me or is there something we can do to get me there?~Sexually Challenged

Dear Challenged,There is nothing wrong with you. You may feel like you are the only one, but many women have the same problem. There are a couple of things that may be the cause of your problem.First, it is important to know that most women don’t achieve orgasm during intercourse. In spite of what we see in movies or on television, many women only achieve orgasm during foreplay or after-play. You and your boyfriend may want to spend in the wind-up to intercourse. There are a number of techniques that can help you climax, such as oral sex or just touching and caressing. If that isn’t the problem, you may have a medical condition. According to www.webMd.com, 40 percent of women suffer from sexual dysfunction. There are four main symptoms:

*A decrease in the level of desire, which might be expressed by fewer sexual fantasies or thoughts and a reluctance to engage in sexual activity.

*A decrease in the level of arousal, noticeable as feeling unreceptive to sexual suggestions and an inability to feel or maintain sexual excitement.

*An inability to reach orgasm after sexual stimulation.

*Pain during intercourse

The website states that the dysfunction can be caused by a history of sexual trauma such as rape, low interest in sex, certain medications, depression, aging, cultural and societal factors, excessive drinking and certain health problems. Another big cause is stress. You need to relax and not worry about getting to that point. The more you worry about it, the less you can think about enjoying it.Your doctor can tell you exactly what to do or give you medication that will help the process.Other things, such as counseling, can also help.