Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a troublesome condition in which women lose interest in sex. The Society for Women’s Health Research estimates that one in ten women have HSDD, making it one of the most common female sexual health complaints.
It’s not unusual for a woman’s libido drop from time to time. Hormonal changes, medication side effects, and stress can all dampen sex drive. But these periods are usually temporary and libido returns.
HSDD is chronic and causes great distress for both women and their partners. A woman may not know why she’s lost her sex drive. Her partner might become frustrated and worry about the fate of the relationship.
It’s not unusual for a woman’s libido drop from time to time. Hormonal changes, medication side effects, and stress can all dampen sex drive. But these periods are usually temporary and libido returns.
HSDD is chronic and causes great distress for both women and their partners. A woman may not know why she’s lost her sex drive. Her partner might become frustrated and worry about the fate of the relationship.
Symptoms
Wanting to have sex much less than your partner does to a point it causes distress in the relationship
Having no interest in any type of sexual activity with your partner
Having no interest in sexual activity with yourself, such as masturbation
Never or rarely having sexual thoughts or fantasies
Being concerned about your lack of sex drive or sexual thoughts and fantasies
Having no interest in any type of sexual activity with your partner
Having no interest in sexual activity with yourself, such as masturbation
Never or rarely having sexual thoughts or fantasies
Being concerned about your lack of sex drive or sexual thoughts and fantasies
What Causes HSDD?
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder may be caused by:
Anxiety or depression
Relationship problems
Issues with your body image
Stress
Tiredness
Sexual abuse or trauma in your past
Low sex hormone levels
Medical problems like cancer, diabetes, heart problems, multiple sclerosis, or bladder problems
Medicines like antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, chemotherapy, and feminizing hormone therapy
Menopause
Recent pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding
Anxiety or depression
Relationship problems
Issues with your body image
Stress
Tiredness
Sexual abuse or trauma in your past
Low sex hormone levels
Medical problems like cancer, diabetes, heart problems, multiple sclerosis, or bladder problems
Medicines like antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, chemotherapy, and feminizing hormone therapy
Menopause
Recent pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding
Diagnosis
The most important part of diagnosing HSDD is that you have to mention your lack of sexual desire to your doctor. There are no external signs of HSDD, so it’s important to speak up if your decreased libido is causing you distress.
Once you’ve mentioned this, there are a number of tests your doctor can do to help pinpoint the problem behind your lack of sexual desire. This includes a questionnaire about your sexual desire and running blood tests to check your hormone levels to see if there’s a medical condition causing HSDD such as a thyroid disorder, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Once you’ve mentioned this, there are a number of tests your doctor can do to help pinpoint the problem behind your lack of sexual desire. This includes a questionnaire about your sexual desire and running blood tests to check your hormone levels to see if there’s a medical condition causing HSDD such as a thyroid disorder, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Can HSDD Be Treated?
Once the cause of your HSDD is found, there are a number of ways to treat and manage it. The type of treatment you receive will depend on what other external factors have triggered and caused your HSDD. It may also be recommended that you receive multiple forms of treatment, such as counseling, Lifestyle changes and medication.
