The concept of sexual health has significantly evolved with the definition offered by the World Health Organization or WHO in 1975. In the medical community, men’s struggle to have a satisfying sex has come into recognition since ages, and even there are solutions for it. On the other hand, women’s right to sexual desire, which has a more complicated history, recently emerged as a topic of discussion. Today, the healthcare providers and medical practitioners finally started recognizing the reality and prevalence of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). It is a medical condition, affecting one in ten women results into low libido in females.
Defining HSDD
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is a medical condition that refers to various diminishing sexual desires. Experts define the condition as the persistent and recurrent loss of desire in sexual activities, thought and stimulation, which results in heightened stress among women. Often the symptoms of stress include sadness, a sense of grief, feelings of incompetence, loss and frustration.
Experts also reported to diagnose HSDD when they fail to attribute a woman’s symptoms to any different sexual disorder, medications and psychological conditions. Furthermore, the disorder remained underdiagnosed as most patients and physicians hesitate to discuss the private and emotionally troubling conditions.
According to the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health approximately 10% of women suffer from HSDD. Another study states that 26.7% of the premenopausal and 52.4% of the menopausal women low sexual desire and HSDD.
HSDD and Low Sex Drive: Are They Inter-related?
Often most women experience low sex drive or libido, which does not mean that the woman experiences HSDD. Instead, HSSD includes experiencing higher levels of stress due to reduced libido, which is crucial in establishing a diagnosis. Often women experience reduced libido at different points in their lives. Reduced sex drive is different for every woman; however, the lack of interest in sex for a woman is difficult to calculate.
Often a woman might have less interest than her normal desires and interest. If you are concerned that your sex drive is becoming a problem, it is recommended for her to consult with a gynecologist immediately. Discussing her problems with an expert will help her with the knowledge of the probable risk factors and symptoms. It further helps in determining the problems and the best possible ways to adopt for hypoactive sexual desire disorder treatment.
Causes of HSDD
The cause and lack of sexuality and desire is complicated, which might change during a person’s life. It involves a woman’s sexual identity, desire, arousal, orgasm and emotional satisfaction and intention. Certain regions of a person’s brain functions to regulate the sexual desire. Sexual excitement involves neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and melanocortin, which help in processing sexual stimulation. However, the brain opioids and other substances restrict sexual excitement impulses.
While experts are unable to explain how and why these brain inhibition systems results in hypoactive sexual desire disorder among women, certain factors are responsible in putting women at risk of developing HSDD. These include:
- Breast cancer, diabetes, depression, urinary incontinence, thyroid problems and multiple sclerosis are some of the physical conditions associated with the development of HSDD.
- Consumption of certain medications, especially those used for treating depression, anxiety, hypertension, along with certain painkillers results in diminished libido.
- Relationship issues play a critical role in causing HSDD in some women. In case of a conflict or lack of trust in a relationship, women lose interest in sexual activities with their partner.
- Psychological conditions, such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem results in development of HSDD.
Is There Any Treatment for HSDD in Female? Treatments for HSDD involve addressing the psychological, social and biological aspects of the condition. The health expert customizes the treatment decisions depending on the conditions of the women, so that they meet their specific situation and requirements. Addressing the suspected underlying cause of development of the disorder is the foremost and the best approach towards hypoactive sexual desire disorder treatment. The doctors at The Encore Clinic, the best sexual health clinic in Denver discuss all the possible treatments with the patients before initiating any form of treatment.
HSDD Treatment in Female with Medications
The FDA in 2015 approved the drug Flibanserin with its brand name Addyi for treating HSDD in premenopausal women. Most experts prescribe a daily dose of Flibanserin, a non-hormonal medication, which women with HSDD require taking to increase their sexual desire, and frequency of satisfying sexual events.
Besides, experts also prescribe Bupropion and Buspirone for treating depression and anxiety in patients suffering with HSDD respectively. Both the drugs increase sexual desires, arousal and orgasm in women with HSDD.
HSDD Natural Treatment in Females
Psychotherapy and sex therapy are the best ways of treating HSDD for women naturally. Psychotherapy is beneficial, and helps inn resolving unconscious conflicts arising from early developments of recent issues. Often couples require marriage and relationship counseling before or during the HSDD Treatment Female. Often some experts recommend sex therapy, which often includes dual sex therapy, involving both the partners.