For couples, sex is perhaps one of the most important parts of the relationship; an experience that brings them closer together, strengthens their bond and helps keep the spark alive. Unfortunately, over time, everyday stressors like work, children and money, or physical issues such as impotence, menopause and depression can leave couples worn out and uninterested. If left unaddressed, a lack of intimacy can drive a wedge between partners, causing them to drift apart.
As a retailer, sexual function can be a difficult topic to discuss with customers; they might feel uncomfortable discussing such a private matter with a relative stranger. However, education and empathy are the keys to successfully connecting with customers and assuaging their discomfort, not to mention helping them rekindle their sexual relationship with their partner.
For Her
"Loss of interest in sex is multi-factorial, and the reasons are gender-specific," said Denny Kwock, general manager, Daily Wellness Co. Unsurprisingly, it is more likely to be reported by women than men. "For women, common reasons for loss of interest include lifestyle changes and stress, quality of the relationship and hormonal fluctuations related to age, pregnancy and health."
Menopause is one of the biggest causes of sexual dysfunction in women. Menopause usually occurs in a woman's late 40s and early 50s, when the ovaries no longer make enough estrogen to produce and support a menstrual cycle. Menopause can also be induced via surgical intervention, such as hysterectomies or cancer treatments. Premature menopause occurs in women less than 40 years old; perimenopause is the time during or around menopause, often in a woman’s 40s and sometimes in her late 30s, when the symptoms most associated with menopause occur. During this time, estrogen levels are erratic; the spikes and dips can cause a multitude of uncomfortable symptoms, including hot flashes, difficulty thinking clearly, sleep disruption, low libido, breast atrophy and vaginal dryness.
Cheryl Myers, vice president of health sciences, and Matt Schuller, senior vice president of marketing, Enzymatic, added menopause is not the only factor in decreased libido. "Prescription medications can alter hormone levels, which affect sexual desire and stimulation, blood pressure medications alter blood flow and medications for mood [can affect libido]." Myers and Schuller cited hormonal preparations, such as oral contraceptives and hormone regulation therapy; cardiovascular medication, including beta blockers and cholesterol-lowering meds; and psychoactive medications for depression and anxiety, like antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can all affect sexual desire.
According to Wendy Strgar, owner, Good Clean Love, more than 40 percent of women have suffered some type of sexual dysfunction at least once in their lives, but many shy away from the subject, as it can be embarrassing and difficult for them to discuss. "Female sexual dysfunction is a challenging topic to discuss, leaving many to feel isolated without hope of resolution."
In terms of treatments, women tend to look more toward products focused on mood and psychological factors, Myers and Schuller said. "Women seem to respond to products which help them feel more relaxed and simply regain the energy or desire for sex. They are less concerned about physical performance [as opposed to men]."
Supplements are an effective way to help women regain their libido. "A good, natural formulation should contain ingredients that address vasodilation, stabilizing hormone levels, healthy arteries and overall libido," explained Josh Tully, owner, Vitology Nutraceuticals. "L-Arginine can increase nitric oxide, thus assisting in vasodilation. Maca has been clinically proven to increase libido. Tribulus Terrestris [puncture vine] extract produces statistically significant increases in levels of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone. Muira Puama [potency wood] has shown a significant improvement in erectile function and sexual desire in men and women. The top Chinese medicine doctors in
Sprunk-Jansen's sexual supplement for women utilizes Asafoetida [devil's dung] roots and caper buds. "They work together to increase energy levels and libido in women. Devil's dung, asafoetida, is mentioned in Arabic scriptures as an important ingredient in sexually stimulating tonics," said Lauren Sandberg-Clardy, COO, Sprunk-Jansen. She added, "Asafoetida is well-known in Greek-Arabic medicine to manage tiredness and libido. We have added capers, which are also known in traditional medicine to support sexual performance. Modern scientific methods indicate the principle effect of the herbs is to increase blood supply to the genital area while relaxing the muscles."
Personal massagers are also perfect for relaxing the muscles. "Many women don’t experience orgasm during intercourse without erogenous zone stimulation (clitoral or G-spot). Massagers increase blood flow and energy. They are used for self-discovery, extra stimulation, to relieve stress and pressure for oneself and one's partner, and for fun," Susan Yeager Montani, vice president of sales, Sinclair Institute & Natural Contours. The company has also created a kegel exercise, which helps tighten the pelvic floor pubococcygeus (PC) muscle. The PC muscle weakens over time due to aging, as well as menopause and childbirth. "The weakening of this muscle is a cause of incontinence and also a lack of sexual response. By doing pelvic floor exercises just a few minutes daily, a woman can improve the tone of this muscle just like other muscles in the body," which leads to more satisfying sexual experiences.
Of course, one cannot have massagers without personal lubricants. Strgar asserted that vaginal dryness is one of the topmost problems afflicting women. "Certain activities, including menopause, childbearing and nursing, certain medications, and even high-stress levels can often be the cause of vaginal dryness and its associated pain in sex." The decline of estrogen during menopause is the most common cause, which thins and dries the vaginal wall. Strgar added other factors include reduced muscle tone and the longer time needed for sexual arousal. "Dealing effectively with the physical pain associated with sex is not just a mental issue. The production of natural lubrication serves as an important emotional and mental cue for sexual arousal. When this lubrication function goes away, the primary internal messaging system for [women's] libido is lost."