Abstract
Sexuality is a core component of the human experience, and in women, it is linked to health status, life satisfaction, and even longevity. Unfortunately, sexual dysfunction is common, impacting nearly half of women across life stages. This chapter explores the evidence-based connections between female sexual health and lifestyle behaviors, including diet, physical activity, sleep, stress management, social connectedness, and substance use. Given the higher rates of sexual dysfunction among women experiencing chronic health conditions amenable to lifestyle modification, the chapter presents a rationale for the application of Lifestyle Medicine to sexual health. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the underlying pathophysiology and possible mediators of the impact of lifestyle on sexual health, such as vascular function and psychological well-being. Although much room remains for future research, this chapter provides a thorough review of the benefits of Lifestyle Medicine for women’s sexual health, as currently supported by the extant literature.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Improving Women’s Health Across the Lifespan |
| Publisher | CRC Press |
| Pages | 227-240 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781000472462 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780367627638 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2021 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Professions(all)
- Medicine(all)
- Engineering(all)
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)