What are common sexual health issues?

Understand what “sexual health issues” means

When you ask, “what are common sexual health issues?”, you are really asking about anything that gets in the way of safe, comfortable, and satisfying sexual experiences. Sexual health issues can include:

Problems with desire, arousal, or orgasm
Pain or discomfort with sex
Difficulties getting or maintaining an erection
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Emotional or relationship challenges that affect your sex life

Many people go through at least one of these at some point. Sexual health issues are common and, in most cases, highly treatable when you get the right support.

Know how common sexual dysfunction is

Sexual dysfunction is the medical term for any problem that prevents you or your partner from feeling satisfied during sexual activity. It is much more common than you might think.

Up to 43% of females and 31% of males report some degree of sexual dysfunction at some point in their lives (Cleveland Clinic).
Sexual dysfunction can affect people at any age, but it is more common if you are over 40. It affects 30% to 40% of people at some point (Cleveland Clinic).

Sexual dysfunction is only considered a problem if it bothers you or affects your relationship. If you are not distressed by a change in your sex life, you may not need treatment. If you are, then you deserve care and options.

Recognize common sexual health issues for women

Low desire or difficulty becoming aroused

You might notice:

Little or no interest in sex, even when you want to feel desire
Trouble becoming aroused or staying aroused
Feeling “shut off” from your body or from pleasure

Female sexual dysfunction can have many causes and is considered a problem only if it upsets you or harms your relationship (Mayo Clinic).

Possible contributors include:

Hormonal changes, for example after childbirth or around menopause
Medications, such as some antidepressants or blood pressure drugs
Stress, anxiety, depression, or past trauma
Relationship conflict or poor communication with your partner

Difficulty reaching orgasm

You may have trouble reaching orgasm, or orgasms may feel less intense than they used to. This can be related to:

Nerve changes
Hormonal shifts
Medication side effects
Anxiety about “performing” or pleasing your partner

Pain during sex

Pain with vaginal penetration or genital touch can show up as:

Burning, stinging, or sharp pain
Deep pelvic pain during intercourse
Pain that lingers after sex

Causes range from infections and hormonal changes to muscle tension and past trauma. Because the causes vary, it is important to get a medical evaluation rather than trying to push through the pain.

How female sexual dysfunction is treated

Treatment usually combines several approaches (Mayo Clinic):

Medical care
Adjusting or changing medications that affect sex drive
Treating infections, vaginal dryness, or hormone changes
Lifestyle changes
Limiting alcohol
Increasing physical activity
Using stress management tools like mindfulness or therapy
Relationship and emotional support
Couples counseling
Individual therapy to address anxiety, trauma, or body image concerns

In some cases, specific medications are used for low sexual desire in premenopausal women:

Flibanserin (Addyi)
A daily pill for low desire
Possible side effects include low blood pressure and dizziness (Mayo Clinic)
Bremelanotide (Vyleesi)
A self-injection used before sexual activity
Possible side effects include nausea and flushing (Mayo Clinic)

Other treatments, such as phosphodiesterase inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra), have been studied for some women with sexual dysfunction, especially when related to antidepressants. Results are mixed and these medications need careful supervision because of possible interactions (Mayo Clinic).

You might see herbal supplements or oils advertised as sex drive boosters. Many of these products:

Do not have strong scientific evidence
May contain ingredients with estrogen-like effects that could raise the risk of breast tumors (Mayo Clinic)

Always check with a healthcare professional before using supplements for sexual health.

Recognize common sexual health issues for men

Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Erectile dysfunction, sometimes called impotence, means you have:

Trouble getting an erection
Trouble keeping an erection firm enough for sex

More than half of men between 40 and 70 experience ED to some degree (Mayo Clinic).

Physical causes of ED

ED can sometimes be an early warning sign for other health issues. Physical causes include:

Heart disease and blood vessel problems
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Obesity
Smoking (Mayo Clinic)

Because of this, it is important not to ignore ongoing erection problems. Your provider can check for these underlying conditions and help you treat them.

Psychological causes of ED

Your mood, stress level, and relationships can strongly affect erections. Common psychological factors are:

Depression or anxiety
Ongoing stress at work or home
Relationship conflict or lack of emotional connection with your partner (Mayo Clinic)

ED can also create a cycle: one difficult sexual experience leads to worry about the next time, which then makes the problem worse.

Symptoms and impact

You might notice:

Persistent difficulty getting or keeping an erection
Stress or embarrassment about sex
Avoiding intimacy because you feel discouraged

This can affect your self-confidence and your relationship. The good news is that ED is usually treatable with the right combination of medical care and emotional support.

How erectile dysfunction is treated

Treatment is tailored to the underlying cause and how severe your symptoms are (Mayo Clinic).

Options can include:

Oral medications such as phosphodiesterase inhibitors
Injections directly into the penis
Vacuum erection devices to draw blood into the penis
Penile implants in more complex or long term cases
Psychological counseling to address stress, anxiety, or relationship issues

You and your provider can discuss which combination feels right for your body, your lifestyle, and your comfort level.

Understand sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Sexually transmitted infections, sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections that you can get through sexual contact. This includes:

Vaginal, anal, and oral sex
Genital skin to skin contact
Contact with bodily fluids like semen, vaginal fluids, or blood

STIs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. Anyone who is sexually active can get an STI (CDC).

How common STIs are

In the United States in 2021, there were about 2.5 million reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. About half of these cases were in people aged 15 to 24 (Cleveland Clinic).

HPV (human papillomavirus) is the most common viral STI in the U.S. It can cause genital warts and, in high risk types, can lead to cervical cancer (Cleveland Clinic).

Common symptoms of STIs

Many STIs cause no noticeable symptoms. You or your partner can be infected and still feel fine, which is why regular testing is so important (CDC).

When symptoms do appear, they may include (Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic):

Itching, burning, or pain around the genitals or anus
Unusual vaginal or penile discharge
Pain or burning when you urinate
Sores, blisters, or warts on your genitals, mouth, or anus
Pelvic or lower abdominal pain

Because many infections are silent, you cannot rely on symptoms alone to know your status.

Examples of common STIs

Here are some of the most common STIs and how they tend to show up:

Chlamydia
Bacterial infection of the genital tract
Often has mild or no early symptoms
Symptoms, when present, usually appear 5 to 14 days after exposure (Mayo Clinic)
Gonorrhea
Bacterial infection that affects the genitals, and can also affect the mouth, throat, eyes, and joints
Symptoms may appear in males within about 5 days, and in females within about 10 days after exposure (Mayo Clinic)
Genital herpes
Caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV)
Can cause painful ulcers or blisters and flu-like symptoms
Symptoms usually appear within 12 days of exposure (Mayo Clinic)
HPV (human papillomavirus)
Often has no symptoms at all
Some types cause genital warts
High risk types can lead to cervical cancer in females (Mayo Clinic)
Syphilis
Bacterial infection that can affect the genitals, skin, mouth, and anus
Has stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary
Early symptom is often a painless sore (chancre)
Later stages can damage organs, the nervous system, and vision, and can be life threatening if untreated (Mayo Clinic)

Complications of untreated STIs

If not treated, STIs can cause serious complications (Cleveland Clinic):

Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility in females
Increased risk of ectopic pregnancy
Epididymitis or prostatitis in males
Higher risk of getting or transmitting HIV
Long term organ and nerve damage in conditions like syphilis

Most STIs are curable with antibiotics or antivirals. Some, like HIV, are not curable but can be managed long term. Reinfection is possible even after successful treatment, so prevention and regular testing remain important (Cleveland Clinic).

Learn how STIs and STDs are different

You may see the terms STI and STD used together. The distinction is:

STI (sexually transmitted infection)
You have the infection, but you may not have any symptoms
STD (sexually transmitted disease)
The infection has led to clear signs or symptoms of disease

You can have an STI without knowing, be able to pass it to others, and feel generally healthy. This is why testing is a key part of sexual health (CDC).

Understand what causes sexual dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction is usually not caused by only one thing. Physical, psychological, and relational factors often overlap.

Physical causes

According to the Cleveland Clinic, physical causes can include (Cleveland Clinic):

Chronic health conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes
Medication side effects, especially from:
Antidepressants
Antihypertensives (blood pressure medications)
Antihistamines
Decongestants
Hormonal changes
Nerve damage or blood flow problems

Psychological and relationship causes

Emotional and social factors can also affect your sexual health (Cleveland Clinic):

Stress or burnout
Anxiety or depression
Low self-esteem or body image concerns
Past sexual trauma or negative sexual experiences
Relationship conflict, lack of trust, or poor communication

Because of this, treatment often focuses on both your body and your emotional well-being.

How sexual dysfunction affects daily life

If you are dealing with sexual dysfunction, you might feel:

Loneliness or isolation
Frustration or shame
Distance or tension with your partner

The reassuring part is that sexual dysfunction is usually highly treatable, and with therapy and medical support, most people return to a healthy sex life (Cleveland Clinic).

Explore ways to protect your sexual health

Even though sexual health issues are common, there is a lot you can do to lower your risk and stay informed.

Practice safer sex

According to the World Health Organization, prevention strategies include (WHO):

Use condoms correctly and consistently
Male condoms are one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of STIs, including HIV
Female condoms are also safe and effective, although less widely used
Limit your number of sexual partners
Talk openly about STI testing with partners before having sex
Avoid sex while you or your partner have active sores, discharge, or unexplained genital symptoms, and get checked instead

Many STIs are both curable and preventable. Testing, diagnosis, and timely treatment for you and your partner can protect both of you and help prevent reinfection (CDC).

Consider vaccines and other biomedical tools

The WHO highlights several biomedical tools to prevent STIs (WHO):

Vaccines
Safe and effective vaccines exist for:
- Hepatitis B
- HPV (human papillomavirus), usually recommended from ages 11 to 12 and up to age 45 (Cleveland Clinic)
Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC)
Provides additional protection in some settings
Microbicides
Products still under development and research that may provide extra protection

Advanced research is ongoing for herpes simplex virus and HIV vaccines. Early evidence also suggests some meningococcal B (MenB) vaccines might offer protection against gonorrhea, and trials are underway (WHO).

Use counseling and behavioral support

Counseling and behavioral interventions help you:

Recognize symptoms
Understand your risks
Seek care earlier
Make safer choices around partners and protection

According to the WHO, these approaches are a primary way to prevent STIs and unplanned pregnancies, although their impact is limited when stigma or lack of awareness is present (WHO).

Know when to talk to a healthcare professional

It is a good idea to reach out to a healthcare provider if you:

Notice changes in your desire, arousal, or ability to orgasm that bother you
Have persistent trouble getting or maintaining an erection
Feel pain during or after sex
See sores, bumps, warts, or unusual discharge on or around your genitals, mouth, or anus
Have had unprotected sex or a new partner and are not sure of your STI status
Feel stressed, anxious, or depressed about your sex life or relationship

You do not need to have everything figured out first. Your provider can help you sort through what you are experiencing, suggest testing if needed, and talk through treatment options.

Takeaways: what are common sexual health issues?

When you ask “what are common sexual health issues?”, you are asking about a wide range of experiences that many people share:

Sexual dysfunction, such as low desire, difficulty with arousal or orgasm, or pain with sex
Erectile dysfunction, which is usually treatable and sometimes signals other health concerns
Sexually transmitted infections, which are common but often preventable and, in many cases, curable
Emotional, psychological, and relationship issues that shape how you feel about sex

Sexual health is not just about avoiding disease. It is about feeling informed, safe, connected, and satisfied in your intimate life. If something does not feel right, you are not alone, and you do not have to stay silent. Starting a conversation with a trusted healthcare professional can be a powerful first step toward feeling better.