Sexual health is not a niche topic or a seasonal conversation. It is a fundamental component of overall health and quality of life. Libido, comfort, intimacy, and sexual function directly influence confidence, relationships, mental well-being, and even long-term health outcomes.

Yet for many patients, this remains one of the most difficult subjects to bring up in a clinical setting.

In a recent discussion, Dr. Sean Arora and Dr. Shannon Arora emphasized that sexual health should be approached with the same seriousness, clinical oversight, and evidence-based rigor as any other area of medicine. Sexual health remains heavily stigmatized, particularly for men who may find it difficult to seek care for these concerns.

At the same time, there has been a significant rise in women reporting issues related to libido, discomfort, and sexual function. Addressing stigma is not about normalizing dysfunction, it is about creating access to medically appropriate evaluation and treatment.

The First Barrier: Patients Simply Don’t Know What’s Available

One of the most common themes in the discussion was awareness. Many patients are not resistant to care; they simply don’t realize solutions exist.

For some patients, symptoms have been present for so long that they assume their experience is normal. “Some people don’t even know what an orgasm is because they’ve been having these issues forever,” said Dr. Shannon.

This lack of awareness can delay care for years. Patients may feel embarrassed, unsure how to articulate what they are experiencing, or hesitant to bring the topic up with their primary provider. For clinics, this highlights an important responsibility: creating space for proactive, normalized conversations about sexual health.

A Responsible Clinical Approach Starts With Evaluation

Sexual health concerns are rarely one-dimensional. While hormones often play a role, they are not always the sole cause.

Dr. Shannon emphasized the importance of beginning with a full clinical picture: “The first thing is for these patients is to get blood work to see if there is anything abnormal, whether it’s hormones, thyroid, some type of autoimmune condition, to see a bigger picture of why this female or male is having these concerns.”

A comprehensive evaluation may include:

• Hormone panels
• Thyroid assessment
• Metabolic markers
• Autoimmune screening when indicated
• Medication and health history review

This approach ensures that treatment is individualized and evidence-based rather than reactive or overly simplified.

Expanding the Conversation Beyond a Single Prescription

Another key takeaway from the discussion was that sexual health treatment is often misunderstood as a single, standardized intervention.

As Dr. Sean noted, “Yes, there are different treatments…patients just don’t know that.” Education is essential not only for patients but also within clinical teams. He also pointed out that options extend beyond tablets: “There’s not just tablets. There are also injectables. There are so many things you can do in the regenerative space.”

Depending on the patient’s presentation and goals, treatment may involve hormone optimization, localized therapies, peptide support, or regenerative modalities, all delivered within a compliant, medically supervised framework.

Addressing Women’s Sexual Health More Directly

Women’s sexual health concerns are particularly under-addressed, especially during perimenopause and menopause. Declining estradiol levels can contribute to vaginal dryness, discomfort, reduced libido, urinary urgency, and recurrent infections.

Dr. Shannon highlighted how common and treatable these symptoms can be. Speaking about localized estradiol therapy, she shared, “There are almost zero side effects with this medication,” and noted that it is often misunderstood due to misplaced fears. She explained that it can help women with their libido, reduce infections, and improve urinary symptoms.

She also emphasized that many women delay care not because solutions are unavailable, but because they are embarrassed or unsure where to start: “There are so many people that are experiencing this and they’re either embarrassed or they just don’t know what to do about it.”

For providers, normalizing this conversation can dramatically shift patient outcomes.

Supporting Men Through Normalized Dialogue

Stigma affects men differently, but just as significantly. Dr. Sean addressed this directly: “It’s hard for males to talk about those issues.” Erectile dysfunction and libido concerns may be early indicators of broader health issues, including cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction.

Encouraging open dialogue allows clinicians to address not only sexual function but also overall health risks that may otherwise go unnoticed.

Building Confidence Through Clinical Integrity

At its core, this conversation is about restoring confidence through responsible care.

As Dr. Sean explained, the goal is to provide access to these therapies “in a safe and compliant way.” Sexual health should not be positioned as a trend or promotional topic. It should be treated as a legitimate component of comprehensive patient care.

When clinics approach sexual health with evidence-based evaluation, individualized treatment, and clear patient education, they not only improve outcomes, they help dismantle stigma that has persisted for decades.

Sexual health is not peripheral to wellness. It is foundational to comprehensive care.

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Looking to responsibly expand sexual health services in your clinic? Schedule a consult with our team.

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