When we talk about wellness, sexual health is often left out of the conversation, especially for women. Yet depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health conditions can profoundly affect intimacy, connection, and sexual functioning. Many of the medications we use to treat those conditions can also impact libido, arousal, and orgasm for people of all genders.
Despite how common these concerns are, sexual health remains one of the least discussed areas in clinical practice. Research on women’s sexual functioning in particular is still catching up, with most of the robust studies emerging only within the last 20 years. For many, this means sexual concerns are often misunderstood, minimized, or simply never addressed at all.
Why Sexual Health Matters
Sex is an important part of overall well-being, and it’s a topic I regularly explore with clients, especially women, who experience low libido or anorgasmia even before starting medication. These conversations have pushed me to deepen my own knowledge and seek out high-quality, anatomy-informed resources.
Along the way, I’ve found several excellent books that have not only helped clients better understand their bodies but have also strengthened my own clinical practice.
Recommended Reading for Women’s Sexual Health
These resources cover key topics such as libido, desire, anatomy, pleasure, pelvic pain, and menopause, areas that are often under-taught or overlooked in routine care.
- Come As You Are (Emily Nagoski, PhD) — A foundational guide to understanding women’s sexual response, including the science of desire and the role of stress, context, and emotional safety.
- Becoming Cliterate (Laurie Mintz, PhD) — An empowering and evidence-based look at the pleasure gap, with practical strategies to support women in reclaiming pleasure and confidence.
- Better Sex Through Mindfulness (Lori A. Brotto, PhD) — Research-driven tools for cultivating desire, presence, and connection through mindfulness practices.
- When Sex Hurts (Andrew Goldstein, MD, with contributing MDs) — A comprehensive overview of pelvic pain disorders, causes, and treatment options—an essential resource for clinicians who encounter clients with pain during sex.
- Women’s Anatomy of Arousal (Sheri Winston, CNM, RN, BSN LMT) — A detailed and accessible exploration of female sexual anatomy and pleasure pathways.
Clinical Reminder
If you are experiencing pain with intercourse, please consult with your OBGYN to rule out underlying medical issues. University Hospitals (UH), Cleveland Clinic (CCF) and MetroHealth offer sexual health clinics where you can access specialized care, including pelvic floor physical therapy and appointments with sex educators.
Kaleigh is a board certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 10 years of nursing experience who, prior to joining Stella Luna, worked in community mental health in inpatient and outpatient psychiatry. Kaleigh’s goal is to assist clients in their journey of self-acceptance and empowerment through diagnosis, education, medication management, and supportive psychotherapy. Her approach is genuine, direct, and client-centered. She is passionate about providing quality, comprehensive, and evidence-based care to help her patients achieve maximum functionality and enjoy their lives!