Today's Segment -- Video Forthcoming
Ms. Battaglino-Cahill of the National Women’s Health Resource Center, together with the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, commissioned this study to find out just how important a healthy sex life is to American women and they were surprised with what they found. The results show that most women ranked having a healthy sex life higher than career satisfaction, home ownership, traveling and social life. However, a healthy sex life may be difficult for some to achieve—70% of women surveyed experienced a sexual health issue, which negatively impacted their overall health and well-being. The survey also found that many women claim they would be comfortable talking to a health care provider about a sexual health issue, but less than one-fifth (18%) actually visited their doctor about their problem.
Dr. Kellogg-Spadt, understands the significance of these findings with the results showing that many women may not understand the critical role sexual health plays in their overall quality of life. For instance, respondents who experienced sexual health issues reported negative impacts on their romantic relationships, self-esteem, and physical or mental health. Women also found that sexual health issues caused stress and anxiety and affected their sleeping habits and their weight.
According to Dr. Kellogg-Spadt, so many women rarely seek help for sexual health issues and some of the most common sexual problems with the most common sexual health issue concerning women today is the lack of desire. Other common conditions include inability to become aroused or have an orgasm, and pain during intercourse. There are many reasons why women may not discuss their sexual problems including fear of embarrassing themselves and/or their health care provider, thinking that their health care provider will dismiss their concerns and thinking that their problem just isn’t important enough. Sadly, many health care providers, including many ob/gyns, primary care providers and other types of doctors and nurses, say they feel uncomfortable addressing sexual issues with their patients. But it’s time for all of us to understand that, like other health issues, sexual health concerns are an important part of our lives and deserve attention.
What can women do about the health implications such as stress, anxiety, weight gain and sleeping problems, which may result from a women’s sexual health condition? Obviously, women need to be concerned about sexual health. Fortunately, many sexual health issues can be successfully addressed through education, lifestyle changes, counseling and treatment, which is why we launched the Sex and a Healthier You campaign – to encourage women to talk with their partners and health care providers about their sexual health concerns.
Remember sex can be different for women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, but there are common sexual issues affecting women of all ages. Almost half of the women in their 20s surveyed said the lack of desire was their major issue. And that number only increases with age! But another surprise is that more women in their 30s report having sex once a week than women in the lower age bracket. As expected though, frequency decreased for women in their 40s but surprisingly, nearly half said they were still having sex once a week.
To get more information on sensitive sexual health-related topics you can go to their campaign web site, www.Sexandahealthieryou.org . Remember; don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor. They have more resources available than ever to help women understand and achieve healthy sexuality.
Sexual Health Survey with Dr. Susan Kellogg-Spadt and Ms. Battaglino-Cahill
A surprising new survey reveals some shocking insight on women and their sex lives. And the results show that many women may not understand the important role sexual health plays in a woman’s overall health and well-being. So what was learned from the survey and the impact a healthy sex life has for every woman? We asked Dr. Susan Kellogg-Spadt, co-founder of The Pelvic and Sexual Health Institute of Philadelphia and Beth Battaglino-Cahill, executive director of the non-profit National Women’s Health Resource Center.Ms. Battaglino-Cahill of the National Women’s Health Resource Center, together with the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, commissioned this study to find out just how important a healthy sex life is to American women and they were surprised with what they found. The results show that most women ranked having a healthy sex life higher than career satisfaction, home ownership, traveling and social life. However, a healthy sex life may be difficult for some to achieve—70% of women surveyed experienced a sexual health issue, which negatively impacted their overall health and well-being. The survey also found that many women claim they would be comfortable talking to a health care provider about a sexual health issue, but less than one-fifth (18%) actually visited their doctor about their problem.
Dr. Kellogg-Spadt, understands the significance of these findings with the results showing that many women may not understand the critical role sexual health plays in their overall quality of life. For instance, respondents who experienced sexual health issues reported negative impacts on their romantic relationships, self-esteem, and physical or mental health. Women also found that sexual health issues caused stress and anxiety and affected their sleeping habits and their weight.
According to Dr. Kellogg-Spadt, so many women rarely seek help for sexual health issues and some of the most common sexual problems with the most common sexual health issue concerning women today is the lack of desire. Other common conditions include inability to become aroused or have an orgasm, and pain during intercourse. There are many reasons why women may not discuss their sexual problems including fear of embarrassing themselves and/or their health care provider, thinking that their health care provider will dismiss their concerns and thinking that their problem just isn’t important enough. Sadly, many health care providers, including many ob/gyns, primary care providers and other types of doctors and nurses, say they feel uncomfortable addressing sexual issues with their patients. But it’s time for all of us to understand that, like other health issues, sexual health concerns are an important part of our lives and deserve attention.
What can women do about the health implications such as stress, anxiety, weight gain and sleeping problems, which may result from a women’s sexual health condition? Obviously, women need to be concerned about sexual health. Fortunately, many sexual health issues can be successfully addressed through education, lifestyle changes, counseling and treatment, which is why we launched the Sex and a Healthier You campaign – to encourage women to talk with their partners and health care providers about their sexual health concerns.
Remember sex can be different for women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, but there are common sexual issues affecting women of all ages. Almost half of the women in their 20s surveyed said the lack of desire was their major issue. And that number only increases with age! But another surprise is that more women in their 30s report having sex once a week than women in the lower age bracket. As expected though, frequency decreased for women in their 40s but surprisingly, nearly half said they were still having sex once a week.
To get more information on sensitive sexual health-related topics you can go to their campaign web site, www.Sexandahealthieryou.org . Remember; don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor. They have more resources available than ever to help women understand and achieve healthy sexuality.