SEXUAL HEALTH & WELLNESS
Personalized Care for an Important Part of Your Health
Changes in sexual health can affect comfort, confidence, relationships and quality of life—and they're often more complex than a single symptom or hormone level.
At AZ Hormone Health & Wellness, we provide private, personalized care for women and men experiencing concerns related to sexual function, comfort and well-being.
Hormonal changes may play a role, but medications, metabolic and cardiovascular health, pelvic-floor function, stress, sleep, relationships and other medical conditions can also contribute. That's why care begins with a comprehensive evaluation designed to better understand what you're experiencing and what may be contributing to it.
Sexual Health for Women
Sexual health can change throughout a woman's life, particularly during perimenopause and menopause. But these changes don't look the same for everyone—and they aren't always caused by hormones alone.
Women may seek evaluation for concerns including:
-
Low libido or decreased sexual desire
-
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)
-
Vaginal dryness or irritation
-
Discomfort or pain with intercourse
-
Changes in arousal or sexual satisfaction
-
Menopause-related vaginal or urinary symptoms
-
Possible pelvic-floor dysfunction
-
Hormone or testosterone concerns
A comprehensive evaluation can help identify potential contributors and determine which treatment options may be appropriate for you.
Navigating perimenopause or menopause?
Explore Perimenopause & Menopause Care →
Sexual Health for Men
Changes in sexual health can also provide important information about a man's overall health.
Men may seek evaluation for:
-
Low libido
-
Symptoms associated with testosterone deficiency
-
Erectile dysfunction
-
Changes in sexual performance or satisfaction
-
Possible hormonal, metabolic or medication-related contributors
Rather than assuming these concerns are caused by low testosterone, we look at the broader clinical picture to help identify what may be contributing and whether treatment or additional evaluation may be appropriate.
Concerned about testosterone?
Explore Testosterone Therapy for Women & Men →
A Comprehensive, Private Evaluation
Talking about sexual health should feel like talking about any other aspect of your health: private, respectful and free of judgment.
Your evaluation may include a detailed medical and sexual-health history, medication review, symptom assessment, cardiovascular and metabolic risk review, hormone testing and other laboratory studies when appropriate.
Other potential causes of vaginal discomfort, painful intercourse, low desire or erectile dysfunction are considered before treatment is recommended. When clinically indicated, additional diagnostic testing such as a pelvic ultrasound may be ordered.
The goal is to understand what's contributing to your symptoms before determining the most appropriate next step.
Treatment Designed Around Your Needs
Sexual-health treatment isn't automatically hormone therapy.
Depending on your symptoms, evaluation and individual health needs, treatment may include:
-
Education and counseling about sexual-health changes
-
Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants
-
Local vaginal estradiol for appropriate patients experiencing dryness, discomfort or painful intercourse
-
Menopausal hormone therapy when clinically appropriate
-
Testosterone therapy for appropriately selected women with HSDD
-
Testosterone therapy for men with symptoms and consistently low laboratory values
-
Pelvic-floor exercises
-
Referral to pelvic-floor occupational or physical therapy
-
Sleep, nutrition, stress and lifestyle recommendations
-
Medication review and management of contributing hormone concerns
Your options, potential benefits and considerations can be discussed as part of the shared decision-making process so you can make informed choices about your care.
Hormones May Be Part of the Picture—But Not the Whole Picture
Hormonal changes can contribute to sexual-health concerns, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, but hormones aren't always the only cause.
Medication effects, pelvic-floor dysfunction, cardiovascular or metabolic concerns, stress, relationship factors and other medical conditions may also contribute.
Looking beyond a single hormone or symptom helps us determine whether hormonal treatment, nonhormonal treatment, lifestyle support, pelvic-floor care or further medical evaluation may be the most appropriate next step.
When Specialized Care Is Needed
Sometimes the evaluation identifies a concern that is better addressed by another healthcare professional.
Referral to gynecology, urology, pelvic-floor therapy, primary care or another specialist may be recommended for concerns such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, persistent pelvic pain, recurrent infections, complex gynecologic or urologic conditions, penile or testicular concerns, infertility, abnormal prostate findings or erectile dysfunction that may have another medical cause.
The goal is to identify potential contributors first and help coordinate specialized care when necessary.
YOUR SEXUAL HEALTH IS PART OF YOUR OVERALL HEALTH
Start With a Private, Personalized Conversation
Whether you're experiencing changes in desire, comfort or sexual function, you don't have to determine the cause on your own. A comprehensive evaluation can help identify potential contributors and determine which options may be appropriate for you.