What anorgasmia can reveal about your health from ‘silent killers’ to horror brain diseases -are you at risk?

MANY women (and some men) are no strangers to faking an orgasm.

Fatigue and exhaustion, boredom, and being drunk are among the top reasons people never reach the big O. But what if there was something more sinister going on?

It turns out anorgasmia - as it's known - can be a sign of underlying, hidden concerns.

A 2014 YouGov survey found that 58 per cent of British women and 21 per cent of British men have faked an orgasm.

ZAVA research demonstrated similar findings - 68 per cent of women and 27 per cent of men in a 2000-person survey admitted to faking sexual satisfaction.

While there are plenty of lifestyle factors that could be to blame, anorgasmia - difficulty or an inability to achieve an orgasm - is actually a recognised condition by medics - and could be signalling an underlying health problem.

Dr Nikki Ramskill, a GP and founder of The Female Health Doctor Clinic, explained anorgasmia is when someone struggles to reach orgasm, even when they’re aroused and getting enough stimulation.

"It can affect anyone but is more common in women," she tells Sun Health.

"Some people are more likely to have difficulty with orgasms, including women, especially during perimenopause or after menopause, those experiencing stress, anxiety, or past trauma, people in relationships with communication or intimacy issues, and anyone taking certain medications."

There may be no single reason why someone may struggle to orgasm.

But Dr Ramskill says some common causes include:

• Mental health issues - anxiety, depression, stress, or body image concerns.
• Side effects from medication - some antidepressants, antipsychotics, and blood pressure medications can reduce sexual function.
• Relationship difficulties - lack of emotional connection, past negative experiences, or sexual trauma.
• Lifestyle factors - excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, or lack of physical activity.
• Mental load - the ever-increasing "to-do" list and mental load that affects many women.

But if orgasms used to happen easily and have suddenly become difficult, it could be a red flag for something more serious going on.

Dr Ramskill advises: "It can be a sign of neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson’s disease, circulation problems caused by diabetes or heart disease, and hormonal imbalances, like thyroid disorders or low sex hormones.

"It could also be a sign of pelvic floor dysfunction or nerve damage."

In MS, nerve damage in the brain and spinal cord, particularly along the pathways involved in sexual function, can disrupt the messages between the brain and sexual organs, impacting arousal and orgasm.

Parkinson's disease, with its impact on the brain's production of dopamine, can also affect sexual function, leading to difficulties with arousal and orgasm.

Diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage caused by prolonged high blood sugar, can affect the nerves involved in sexual function, leading to anorgasmia.

Similarly, heart disease can reduce blood flow to the genitals, making it difficult to achieve arousal and orgasm.

Decreased estrogen levels, often associated with menopause, can lead to vaginal dryness and decreased arousal, making it harder to reach orgasm.

Additionally, hormonal fluctuations and imbalances, such as those caused by thyroid disease or certain medications, can also affect sexual desire and arousal, ultimately impacting the ability to orgasm.

If you experience any of these along with difficulty orgasming, it’s a good idea to see a doctor, says Dr Ramskill:

• Loss of interest in sex or difficulty getting aroused
• Pain during sex
• Numbness or tingling in the genital area
• Irregular periods
• Sudden weight changes
• Fatigue
• Mood swings

According to Dr Babak Ashrafi at Superdrug Online Doctor there are some self-help strategies you can adopt.

"These include exploring sexual stimulation, such as sex toys, to discover what type of stimulation works best for you and exploring new sexual positions," he tells Sun Health.

"A good quality lubricant can help reduce discomfort and enhance sensation.

"Managing your stress levels through techniques such as deep breathing, meditation and yoga can also help improve your sexual wellbeing.

"In certain cases, changes in medication may also help."

While self-help strategies can be effective for some, if the issue persists or is causing significant distress, it’s important to seek professional help, Dr Ashrafi says.

He adds: "Your GP can assess any underlying physical or psychological causes and offer guidance and support."