Sexual Dysfunction Can Be Caused By Peripheral Neuropathy

The hands and feet are usually affected by peripheral neuropathy, which causes numbness, weakness, and pain. It can also disrupt normal processes in other parts of the body, including the genital area of both men and women, as this type of neuropathy is associated with the peripheral nervous system. The loss of sexual function can be caused by a variety of conditions, so peripheral neuropathy can be associated with sexual dysfunction.

Sexual Dysfunction Can Be Caused By Peripheral Neuropathy.

In order to understand the mechanism behind sexual dysfunction, it is important to understand how the body normally works with regard to intercourse mechanics.

Peripheral neuropathy is likely to result in sexual dysfunction, especially if you suffer from any of the following sexual sensory disorders. Your pelvic region is supplied with sensation and motor information by the pudendal nerve, which is your primary nerve. Peripheral neuropathy can disrupt this nerve, as it is part of the peripheral nervous system.

There is no reason why sexual dysfunction should be regarded as a normal part of aging; however, you should speak to your physician if you are experiencing it without any other health issues.

A diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy can lead to a number of sexual dysfunctions

A person with peripheral neuropathy is at risk of many different kinds of sexual dysfunction. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your physician immediately.

These symptoms may occur if your genital area lacks neural control:

Having trouble erecting
Sensitivity to sexual stimuli is diminished
An abnormality of ejaculation
Vaginal lubrication is lost
Anorexia orgasmic
Sexual desire is lost

Here are some of the symptoms you may experience in conjunction with peripheral neuropathy to help you determine if that is the cause of your sexual dysfunction.

Asymptomatic Peripheral Neuropathy Associated with Sexual Dysfunction

Neither erectile dysfunction nor loss of lubrication is symptom that can affect women, whereas erectile dysfunction is only experienced by men.

In case of sexual dysfunction, you might experience the following symptoms:

Inability to lubricate
Erotic sensations disappear
Feelings are lost during sexual contact
A problem with ejaculation (premature, delayed, absent, dribbling)
Inability to attain and sustain an erection
Orgasm is difficult to achieve
Orgasmic sensations change
When intercourse is painful

PDE5 inhibitors such as ViagraTM and CialisTM are currently available as treatments for erectile dysfunction, particularly as men age. Erectile dysfunction differs from sexual sensory disorders, and these drugs do not help with sexual sensory problems in women.

Thousands of nerve endings are located in the penis and vulva of men and women, respectively, which are highly sensitive organs that are essential to sexual arousal. As a consequence, men and women may have difficulty becoming aroused, achieving orgasm or ejaculation, and enjoying sexual activity when sensations are disrupted. There are many types of disruptions to individuals, some of which are sudden/acute, such as those caused by disease or injury, while others are gradual/chronic, such as aging. The disruption can result in loss of sensitivity or hyposensitivity, hypersensitivity or pain, as well as other sensory disorders or problems. All these can prevent people from entering relationships, strain relationships, reduce partner satisfaction, and result in psychological damage to those who suffer.

A physician should be consulted for a diagnosis if you experience any of these symptoms alone, as they may not indicate sexual dysfunction or peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral Neuropathy and Sexual Dysfunction Treatment

In addition to your regular peripheral neuropathy treatment, your doctor may recommend the following treatments in order to treat sexual dysfunction associated with peripheral neuropathy:

Fluid for lubrication
A class of drugs that inhibits phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5)
Drugs that inhibit serotonin reuptake
(SNRIs) are drugs that inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain
Intravenous incisions (ICI)
Devices that provide a vacuum for erections (VEDs)
Transplantation of penile implants

Sexual dysfunction and SSRIs

There are some approaches that combine PDE5 inhibitors and SSRIs for treating sexual dysfunction, particularly erectile dysfunction. Although SSRIs are commonly prescribed for sexual dysfunction, they have been found to reduce interest in sexual activity, and make it difficult to arouse, sustain arousal, and achieve orgasm, among other things.

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are what they sound like.

In addition to treating depression, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used to treat premature ejaculatory dysfunction caused by lowered levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that carries messages between neurons.

These are some of the most common SSRIs:

Prozac (fluoxetine)
Luvox (fluvoxamine)
Celexa (Citalopram)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Zoloft (sertraline)
Lexapro (escitalopram)
Trintellix (formerly Brintellix) contains vortioxetine

Sensory changes as a result of SSRIs

There is also a link between SSRIs and genital sensory changes in addition to the symptoms of sexual dysfunction mentioned above. In almost all cases, SSRI users report experiencing some degree of genital sensory changes after taking the medication for thirty minutes. In addition to reduced sensitivity, genital arousal (irritability) or a numbing sensation are common symptoms.

As a result of reduced sensitivity, reduced ejaculation is delayed, which is intended to treat premature ejaculation, but it also dulls orgasm in both men and women and ultimately results in total loss of orgasm.

There are some side effects associated with discontinuing SSRI medications, however. These conditions include post-SSRI sexual dysfunction, persistent genital disorder, and persistent pain disorder (PGD).

The doctor may recommend combining your SSRI medication with Sildenafil (Viagra) if you suffer from sexual dysfunction symptoms. It is important to know that Viagra has only one function, and while it may help you to achieve an erection, it can't help you with loss of sensation, reduction in intensity, or loss of orgasm.

Thoughts for the Day

It is still unknown how peripheral neuropathy and sexual dysfunction are related, and new treatments and therapies are currently being researched. In order to determine your best course of action, keep in touch with your physician about any symptoms you experience.

You can contact our office at 949-588-8833, or visit our website at https://www.ocfootdoctor.com. Our offices are in Laguna Hills, Irvine, Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, and Costa Mesa.

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The information contained above is intended for general reference purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or a medical exam. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health professionals before starting any new treatment. Health information on this website MUST NOT be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of your doctor.