Frigidity i.e. Kaam Shauthalya

Frigidity, which literally means coldness and this, is mainly a female disorder. A normal woman has a normal desire for sex. When the desire is absent or is feeble, or there is an antipathy towards the sexual act, the woman is said to be frigid.

Causes and Symptoms: Frigidity may be due to organic or functional reasons. Among the organic reasons there are the diseases of the genital organs, which inhibit the desire for sex.

Prolapse of the uterus or other abnormalities of the female genitalia can lead to a diminution of the desire for the sexual act. Frigidity may be caused by a trauma, such as rape or submission unwillingly to a person under some form of compulsion. Inexpert handling by the male partner may also lead to frigidity. Sometimes, frigidity may be due to cultural reasons. The woman may sometimes feel that it is sinful to think of sexual union. This is, not infrequently, the case in our country where religious beliefs persuade women to suppress their natural urge for sex.

Medicines & Prescriptions: In case frigidity is due to a psychological cause, a psychological approach is the best way to deal with it. The patient must be taken into confidence and the facts of life explained to her. If the malady can be traced to any physical causes, they must be removed first before any improvement can be expected. If it is due to psychological reasons, a psychological approach is the best.

In other cases, aphrodisiacs may be helpful. The cause of the condition must be established before any treatment is started. Mental tension should be avoided in all cases.