40 million women in the United States have some form of female sexual dysfunction, which includes:

• Hypoactive sexual desire (low libido)
• Sexual arousal disorder
• Orgasmic disorder (anorgasmia)
• Sexual pain disorder

Several key hormones contribute to proper female sexual function:

• Oxytocin
• Estrogen
• Testosterone

Oxytocin:

• Treatment with oxytocin can generate intense sexual desire in women
• Is made directly in the brain
• Its levels correlate with orgasmic intensity
• Leads to increased blood flow to not only sexual organs but all peripheral structures in the body, thus providing warmth and increased sensitivity to skin and sensory organs
• Is strongly linked to emotions of love, desire, and cuddling
• Can be stimulated by touch, hugging, and massage
• Is very active in the part of the brain that is believed to be the epicenter of orgasm

Estrogen is responsible for:

• Maintaining appropriate vaginal lubrication in response to arousal
• Tone of local musculature
• Contributes to the increase in blood flow to the vaginal area during arousal and orgasm

Testosterone is mainly linked to:

• Libido and desire
• Sexual thoughts and fantasies

Sexual signs and symptoms of oxytocin insufficiency include:

• Decreased vaginal lubrication
• Absent or very brief orgasms that last no more than seconds
• Prolonged time to reach orgasm
• Decreased desire for intimacy
• Decreased interest in sex

Other clinical signs and symptoms of low oxytocin levels:

• Anxiety and nervousness
• Unfriendliness and isolation
• Increased sensitivity to pain
• Minimal eye contact during social interactions
• Decreased interest in social interaction

Low oxytocin levels can occur at any age, but it is often found in peri and post-menopausal women, in whom estrogen is also very low.