REVITALIZING INTIMACY: CHIROPRACTIC SOLUTIONS FOR SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION

WARNING! This week’s content gets a little bit more intense, so be careful with whom you share this content. When we say the nervous system controls everything we do, we mean everything. In this week’s blog, we are going to finish up our series on the Autonomic Nervous System and talk about issues involving the reproductive system. We will then identify what chiropractors can do to help. 

Anatomy and Physiology of the Male Reproductive System

The male reproductive system mostly exists outside of the body. The external organs include the penis, scrotum, and testicles. Internal organs include the vas deferens, prostate and urethra. The male reproductive system is responsible for urination and sexual function.

Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system is perhaps the most complex body system that is compromised of six external organs and five internal organs. The functions of the female reproductive system include having sexual intercourse, reproducing children, and menstruation. 

Connecting the Reproductive Systems to the Nervous System

The human reproductive system is the most complicated body system to discuss because of how many organs, hormones, and functions are included. Each organ involved with the reproductive systems has its own anatomical variations and physiological function that plays a major role. 

When we look at the reproductive system in relation to the nervous system, remember that the nervous system is why our organs function properly. If you recall our blog from a few weeks ago, we reviewed how the Autonomic Nervous System is responsible for organ function and showed a diagram of what nerves innervate different organs.

If you refer back to the diagram, you will notice that the organs of the reproductive system have nerve innervations coming mainly from the sacral, and pelvic regions. When nerve interference occurs in this region, if no treatment is performed, the organs begin to fail and further complications are likely.

What is Sexual Dysfunction?

Sexual dysfunction is defined as a problem that can happen during any phase of the sexual response cycle. It prevents the experience of satisfaction from sexual activity.

Symptoms of sexual dysfunction include:

Males:

• Inability to achieve or maintain an erection for intercourse.
• Absent or delayed ejaculation despite enough sexual stimulation.
• Inability to control the timing of ejaculation.

Females:

• Inability to achieve orgasm.
• Inadequate vaginal lubrication before and during intercourse.
• Inability to relax the vaginal muscles enough to allow intercourse.

Both males and females:

• Lack of interest or desire for sex.
• Inability to become aroused.
• Pain with intercourse.

There are many medical conditions that can cause sexual dysfunction. They can be physical, psychological, or both. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above or are having problems with conceiving a child, please refer to your PCP for further evaluation.

How Can Chiropractors Manage Sexual Dysfunction?

We are not going to go into grave detail about different medical conditions like we have the past several weeks because there are not many studies about chiropractic care treating sexual dysfunction. Rather, let’s talk about the nervous system as we close on our final topic on the Autonomic Nervous System.

The sacral and pelvic nerves innervate our sexual organs to allow for optimal sexual desire and the ability to reproduce. When nerve interference is present, sexual dysfunction can become present, and the inability to reproduce becomes possible. 

Remember, without proper nerve function, organs don’t work correctly. It’s like a light switch. If the switch is on, the light should work. If it doesn’t work, the is something wrong with the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker is the brain, the electrical current to the light switch is the nerve, and the light itself is the organ.

Performing routine chiropractic care to the sacral, pelvic, and even lumbar regions will remove nerve interference and should enhance sexual performance over time. 

Can Chiropractic Help with Conception Issues?

Does all this sex talk mean that chiropractic can enhance pregnancy if a couple is trying to start a family? Believe it or not, there are studies proving that chiropractic can help with infertility to a degree. Clearly, if a female has no eggs or a male has low sperm count, these cases should be consulted with the appropriate physician. However, in cases where eggs and sperm are readily available, it is worth giving the chiropractor a try. 

Both male and female reproductive systems are filled with sex hormones essential for conception. Reproductive hormones are found in both the sex organs and brain in both men and women. Nerves also control hormone regulation. Whose to say that nerve interference could be the cause of hormonal imbalance? It’s worth trying chiropractic care and should be considered before resorting to other ways such as surrogacy or adoption. 

In Conclusion

We talked a lot about the Autonomic Nervous System over the past several weeks. We brought in a lot of information that we hope will provide a better understanding of the different conditions chiropractors can help treat or manage.

If you have any questions about how we can help with sexual dysfunction or other Autonomic Nervous System issues, please call us at (724) 547-3377 and check out our website, www.drlarrywilkinsspinalcare.com for more information.

Yours in Health,

Larry E. Wilkins, D.C.

Brian M. Steinert, D.C.