Lost clitoral sensation
I had never had difficulty achieving intense orgasms until very abruptly, about 9 months ago at age 40, I experienced a dramatic loss in clitoral sensitivity. It became very difficult to reach orgasm and when I do, the sensation is significantly reduced and sometimes not even pleasurable. I have no difficulty with arousal or lubrication. Early on I had several episodes of searing/burning pain in my clitoris that lasted a couple of days. I also stopped menstruating and began having hot flashes. I saw a gynecologist who expressed complete lack of knowledge re: the sexual symptoms but put me on oral HRT of estrogen, testosterone and progesterone without an exam or bloodwork. After a couple of months the hot flashes and sexual symptoms had not improved so she increased the dose, with no improvement in orgasm to date. The doc doesn't seem to care! At this point I am TERRIFIED that my clitoris is somehow nerve damaged and I will never have a real, satisfying orgasm again. Help!!!
I think you should go see an experienced urogynecologist. Where do you live? Check out the website of Lauri Romanzi, MD, who is one of our experts, but is currently traveling in Africa where she helps women with sexual issues. On the one hand, your symptoms do sound related to perimenopause/early menopause, but not the lack of clitoral sensation. Did you go on any medications at the time this occurred, like an SSRI that might have side-effects?
Dr. Kerner, thank you. I was not on SSRI or any other meds when the loss of sensitivity occurred (just HRT now). Life has been stressful, but not moreso than in the past. I've had a noticeable loss of genital tissue volume, telling me it is a real physical/medical issue. When I mentioned it to a friend who is a horse reproductive specialist, her instant response was loss of blood flow from low estrogen, and though my levels might be "normal", they may not be normal for ME. I have been on 1.25mg est-test or Premarin for several months with no improvement. I am now trying Yohimbine. I would LOVE to see a specialist but how to find one that has real experience with this? I am in north central Florida. My doc has no referral suggestions (except a psychologist, grrr!) and there are MANY gyns claiming expertise in women's sexual health. My problem seems practically unheard of. I found mention on a few forums but no one said it had been fixed, or how. One woman was just in her 20s.
Does no one have anything else to add? I don't know where else to go for help!!!
Dear GCGirl,
I have only read about a case like yours once before and there was trauma involved, where the woman had sustained an injury and it "shifted" the nerves in that region. Have you been traumatically injured?
You also don't mention a partner, your partners observations here would be helpful to pinpoint what's going on.
Sorry, that's the best I have to offer.
Good Luck, 1KG