How Common Are Sexual Problems in Women?

A sexual problem is a decrease in or lack of sexual satisfaction. By definition, a sexual problem is distressing to a woman and/or her relationship with a partner. (What is distressing to one woman may not be a concern for another woman.)

Most women are troubled by a sexual problem at one time or another. For some women, it can be a long-term problem. Surveys of the general population in the United States found that many women occasionally have sexual problems and worries, including:¹

• Concerns about sexuality (6 out of 10 women).
• Lack of interest in sex (3 out of 10 women).
• Sex not always being pleasurable (2 out of 10 women).
• Pain with intercourse (1 to 2 out of 10 women).
• Difficulty becoming aroused (5 out of 10 women).
• Difficulty reaching orgasm (5 out of 10 women).
• Not being able to have an orgasm (2 to 3 out of 10 women).

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