Loss of sexual desire, known in medical terms as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is the most common form of sexual dysfunction among women of all ages. A recent study showed that nearly one-third of women aged 18 to 59 suffer from a lost interest in sex, and it's not all in their heads.
Unlike men's main sexual complaint,
erectile dysfunction, women's biggest sexual problem is caused by a combination
of both mental and physical factors, which aren't likely to be cured by merely
popping a pill.
But the introduction of
anti-impotence treatments in the last few years has spurred more research into
the causes of sexual dysfunction among both men and women, and effective
therapies are available to help put the lust back into women's lives.
Contrary to popular belief, experts
say frequency of sexual intercourse has nothing to do with sexual desire or
satisfaction.
But when a woman experiences a
significant decrease in interest in sex that is having an effect on her life
and is causing distress, then it's considered a problem of low sexual desire or
HSDD.
Sexual desire is more than just an
issue of low libido or sex drive. Sexual drive is the biological component of
desire, which is reflected as spontaneous sexual interest including sexual
thoughts, erotic fantasies, and daydreams.
It's about your body signaling that
it wants to be sexual. Whether or not there is any intention to act on it, we
all have a certain level of drive.
That sexual drive declines naturally
with age based on physiological factors. But sexual desire also encompasses
interpersonal and psychological factors that create a willingness to be sexual.
Therefore, all of these aspects of
sexual desire must be examined in order to determine the root of the problem.
Common causes for a loss of sexual desire and drive in women
include:
1. Interpersonal relationship issues. Partner performance problems, lack
of emotional satisfaction with the relationship, the birth of a child, and
becoming a caregiver for a loved one can decrease sexual desire.
2.
Anaemia, which is quite common in women
because of iron loss during periods.
3. Socio-cultural influences. Job stress, peer pressure, and media
images of sexuality can negatively influence sexual desire.
4. Low testosterone. Testosterone affects sexual drive in
both men and women. Testosterone levels peak in women's mid-20s and then
steadily decline until menopause, when they drop dramatically.
5. Medical problems: Mental illnesses such as depression,
or medical conditions, such as endometriosis, fibroids, and thyroid disorders,
impact a woman's sexual drive both mentally and physically.
6. Medications: Certain antidepressants (including
the new generation of SSRIs), blood pressure lowering drugs, and oral
contraceptives can lower sexual drive in many ways, such as decreasing
available testosterone levels or affecting blood flow.
7. Age. Blood levels of androgens fall continuously in
women as they age.
8.
Alcoholism.
9.
Drug
abuse.
10.
Major
diseases, such as diabetes.
11.
Post-baby
'coolness', a term we have coined for the loss of libido that often happens
after childbirth. It is almost
certainly linked to hormonal changes that occur at this time, though this has
still not been proven. The general trauma of childbirth also plays a part – and
after having a baby, many women are too exhausted to think about sex.
12.
Prescribed
drugs, particularly tranquillisers.
13.
Hyperprolactinaemia – a rare disorder in which the
pituitary gland is overactive.
OTHERS
Psychological causes
It's understandable that when a woman is having a bad
time emotionally,she may lose interest in sex.
Psychological
causes include:
- depression
- stress and overwork
- anxiety
- hang-ups from childhood
- past sexual abuse or rape
- latent lesbianism
- serious relationship problems with your partner
- difficult living conditions, eg sharing a home with parents or parents-in-law
Because a loss of sexual desire in
women is caused by a combination of physical and psychological factors, it
usually requires more than one treatment approach to fix the problem.
For women, it is much more complex.
They're not just complaining of one plumbing problem. So we have to be more
thoughtful in our approaches to treatment.
Once the factors causing low sexual
desire have been determined, potential treatment options may include:
- Sex therapy and/or relationship counseling. Sex therapy is very effective for individuals and couples, and that is always at the top of my list. Sexual dysfunction usually affects both parties in a relationship and should be discussed together or individually with a mental health professional.
- Changing medications or altering the dose. If the problem is caused by medications, a change of prescription or alternative therapies may be recommended. If an oral contraceptive is suspected as the culprit in lowering testosterone levels, a different formulation or non-hormonal birth control methods may be prescribed.
- Addressing underlying medical conditions. Medical problems contributing to low sexual desire may require surgical treatment, such as the removal of painful fibroids or medication.
- Vaginal estrogens. In postmenopausal women, vaginal dryness may be treated with vaginal estrogen creams.
- Testosterone therapy. Although no hormone or drug has been approved by the FDA to treat sexual problems in women, many gynecologists recommend off-label uses of testosterone therapy for women with low sexual desire to restore testosterone to normal (pre-menopausal) levels.
