Khwaja Masum Bellah Kausarey: In a world that often shushes female sexuality into silence, millions of women silently carry the burden of unfulfilled intimacy. Long overlooked in health discussions, sexual dissatisfaction in women is far more than a private issue—it’s a public health concern. It affects the body, the mind, and the emotional fabric of relationships.
The Hormonal Link:
Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol play a critical role in regulating mood, stress, and emotional well-being. When these fluctuate—during menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause—they affect neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. The result? Disrupted sleep, low energy, irritability, and emotional imbalance.
When sexual dissatisfaction enters the mix, the hormonal chaos intensifies. Studies show that regular sexual fulfillment increases the release of oxytocin and endorphins—the body’s natural mood-lifters and stress-busters. Without it, women are left more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue.
What’s Causing the Disconnect?
Sexual dissatisfaction doesn’t stem from a single source. It’s the result of a tangled web of physical, emotional, hormonal, and social factors, such as:
Lack of sex education and open dialogue
Emotional distance in relationships
Hormonal imbalances (like low estrogen or thyroid disorders)
Vaginal dryness or pain during intercourse
Past trauma from sexual abuse
High levels of stress or anxiety
Partner’s sexual dysfunction or apathy:
Add to that the deep-rooted social taboos surrounding female desire, and it’s easy to see why many women suppress their needs entirely.
When the Body Speaks:
Chronic dissatisfaction can show up physically in alarming ways:
Vaginal or pelvic pain (dyspareunia)
Insomnia and tension headaches
Loss of libido, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of fear and aversion
Hormonal imbalance, including low estrogen and testosterone
Fatigue, pressure in the pelvic region, and even urinary discomfort
The Mental Toll:
The emotional impact is just as severe, often invisible but deeply felt:
Depression – Feeling undesired, unworthy, or emotionally drained
Loss of self-confidence – Shame, body image issues, or fear of intimacy
Anxiety – Fear surrounding future sexual encounters
Marital distress – Growing emotional distance, resentment, or conflict
A 2020 study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that women lacking regular sexual fulfillment are twice as likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Meanwhile, the UN reports that over 40% of married women in developing nations face sexual dissatisfaction—yet fewer than 10% seek medical help or counseling.
Signs to Watch For:
Sexually dissatisfied women may not always say it out loud—but their behavior often reflects it:
Irritability, mood swings, or sudden emotional outbursts
Withdrawing from their partners or becoming emotionally distant
Low self-esteem, a constant sense of emptiness, or emotional cheating
Overindulgence in work, social media, or escapist behavior
Avoidance of intimacy or fear of physical contact
These signs aren’t “just mood swings.” They are calls for attention, often ignored until they evolve into larger health issues.
A Path Toward Healing:
Sexual satisfaction for women is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Here’s how the healing can begin:
1. Open Communication – Speak with your partner about your needs and experiences.
2. Seek Professional Support – Sex therapy and counseling can address both psychological and physical barriers.
3. Hormonal Health Checks – Get tested for imbalances in estrogen, thyroid, and testosterone
4. Choose Emotionally Safe Partners – Love, respect, and emotional safety form the bedrock of fulfilling intimacy.
5. Find a Trusted Confidante – Sharing with a close friend can be surprisingly therapeutic.
6. Explore Physical Therapy – Pelvic floor therapy, hydration, and regular exercise can help restore body awareness and comfort.
Final Thoughts:
Just as no one can thrive without food, no woman can flourish without emotional and physical intimacy. The shame surrounding female desire must be dismantled—not just for individual fulfillment, but for stronger relationships and healthier communities.
Sexual satisfaction is a health right, not a hidden luxury. The sooner we accept this, the sooner women can reclaim their voices—and their wellness.
Writer: Khwaja Masum Bellah Kausarey is the Executive Director of SEDRO Bangladesh. He is also a Senior Journalist & Human Right Activist.
The Hormonal Link:
Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol play a critical role in regulating mood, stress, and emotional well-being. When these fluctuate—during menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum, or menopause—they affect neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. The result? Disrupted sleep, low energy, irritability, and emotional imbalance.
When sexual dissatisfaction enters the mix, the hormonal chaos intensifies. Studies show that regular sexual fulfillment increases the release of oxytocin and endorphins—the body’s natural mood-lifters and stress-busters. Without it, women are left more vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue.
What’s Causing the Disconnect?
Sexual dissatisfaction doesn’t stem from a single source. It’s the result of a tangled web of physical, emotional, hormonal, and social factors, such as:
Lack of sex education and open dialogue
Emotional distance in relationships
Hormonal imbalances (like low estrogen or thyroid disorders)
Vaginal dryness or pain during intercourse
Past trauma from sexual abuse
High levels of stress or anxiety
Partner’s sexual dysfunction or apathy:
Add to that the deep-rooted social taboos surrounding female desire, and it’s easy to see why many women suppress their needs entirely.
When the Body Speaks:
Chronic dissatisfaction can show up physically in alarming ways:
Vaginal or pelvic pain (dyspareunia)
Insomnia and tension headaches
Loss of libido, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of fear and aversion
Hormonal imbalance, including low estrogen and testosterone
Fatigue, pressure in the pelvic region, and even urinary discomfort
The Mental Toll:
The emotional impact is just as severe, often invisible but deeply felt:
Depression – Feeling undesired, unworthy, or emotionally drained
Loss of self-confidence – Shame, body image issues, or fear of intimacy
Anxiety – Fear surrounding future sexual encounters
Marital distress – Growing emotional distance, resentment, or conflict
A 2020 study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that women lacking regular sexual fulfillment are twice as likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Meanwhile, the UN reports that over 40% of married women in developing nations face sexual dissatisfaction—yet fewer than 10% seek medical help or counseling.
Signs to Watch For:
Sexually dissatisfied women may not always say it out loud—but their behavior often reflects it:
Irritability, mood swings, or sudden emotional outbursts
Withdrawing from their partners or becoming emotionally distant
Low self-esteem, a constant sense of emptiness, or emotional cheating
Overindulgence in work, social media, or escapist behavior
Avoidance of intimacy or fear of physical contact
These signs aren’t “just mood swings.” They are calls for attention, often ignored until they evolve into larger health issues.
A Path Toward Healing:
Sexual satisfaction for women is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Here’s how the healing can begin:
1. Open Communication – Speak with your partner about your needs and experiences.
2. Seek Professional Support – Sex therapy and counseling can address both psychological and physical barriers.
3. Hormonal Health Checks – Get tested for imbalances in estrogen, thyroid, and testosterone
4. Choose Emotionally Safe Partners – Love, respect, and emotional safety form the bedrock of fulfilling intimacy.
5. Find a Trusted Confidante – Sharing with a close friend can be surprisingly therapeutic.
6. Explore Physical Therapy – Pelvic floor therapy, hydration, and regular exercise can help restore body awareness and comfort.
Final Thoughts:
Just as no one can thrive without food, no woman can flourish without emotional and physical intimacy. The shame surrounding female desire must be dismantled—not just for individual fulfillment, but for stronger relationships and healthier communities.
Sexual satisfaction is a health right, not a hidden luxury. The sooner we accept this, the sooner women can reclaim their voices—and their wellness.
Writer: Khwaja Masum Bellah Kausarey is the Executive Director of SEDRO Bangladesh. He is also a Senior Journalist & Human Right Activist.
