HSDD in Women

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in Women

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a type of mental and physical sexual dysfunction in which women lack motivation or lose desire to have sex for an extended period (at least 6 months), causing significant levels of personal distress – an integral part of an HSDD diagnosis.
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder affects about 10% of women across all age groups. Men can also be affected by low sexual desire.
Symptoms of HSDD include decreased spontaneous sexual thoughts or fantasies, decreased responsiveness to stimulation, inability to maintain interest through sex, and loss of desire to initiate sex. Women with HSDD may also avoid situations that could lead to sexual activity.
Treatments include sex therapy and medications. Testosterone is a medication that is approved for “off-label” use for treatment of HSSD and studies show significant improvements in symptoms in many women

Do you struggle with decreased sexual desire?

Vitality Health & Wellness may be able to help.

What is HSDD?

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSSD) is a medical term used for various types of diminished sexual desire. Hypoactive means a decrease in behavioral or physical activity.

HSDD is defined as the persistent and recurrent loss of desire in sexual activity, sexual thoughts and sexual stimulation, causing heightened stress in the woman. This clinically significant stress can involve sadness, a sense of grief, and feelings of incompetence, loss and frustration. The significant personal distress caused by HSDD is integral to the diagnosis.

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is also diagnosed when the woman’s symptoms cannot be attributed to a different type of sexual disorder, medications or medical and psychological conditions. Another facet of an HSDD diagnosis is that these deficiencies of interest and response last for 6 months or longer.

It is a difficult condition to diagnose and treat, in part because there is still little scientific knowledge about the biology of sexual desire. It is also underdiagnosed due to the hesitation of patients – and even some providers – to discuss this very private and emotionally troubling condition.

The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health estimates 10% of women have hypoactive sexual desire disorder, though the actual number is likely considerably higher. One recent survey of 2,207 women found that 26.7% of premenopausal women and 52.4% of menopausal women experience low desire and HSDD. That study estimated that at least 16 million women aged 50 years or older currently experience low desire, and approximately 4 million are distressed by their low desire.

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder vs. low sex drive (libido)

Having a low libido alone does not necessarily mean a woman has hypoactive sexual desire disorder. HSDD also always includes experiencing high levels of stress due to having low sex drive (lack of sexual desire), which is crucial in establishing a diagnosis. However, the two conditions are often related and the terms HSDD, low libido and low sex drive are sometimes used interchangeably.

Women can have low libido, or low sex drive, at various times in their lives and relationships. Low libido is different for each woman, and one’s lack of interest in sex isn’t something that can be readily quantified. It may be the woman’s interest is less than what is normal for her, and what is normal can evolve throughout a woman’s life.

If a woman is concerned that her sex drive is becoming a problem, she should consult with a trained medical provider. Together, they can discuss her risk factors and symptoms, determine the extent of the problem, and ways to treat it. This can be a change in medications or lifestyle habits, as well as the treatments below.

Causes & risk factors for HSDD/low libido or sex drive in women

What causes sexuality and desire, or lack of it, is complicated and can change during one’s life. Sexual identity, desire, arousal, orgasm, emotional satisfaction, and intention are all involved.

Certain regions and functions in the brain regulate sexual desire. Sexual excitement involves such neurotransmitters as dopamine and melanocortin that help process sexual stimulation. But sexual inhibition systems involving brain opioids and other substances restrict sexual excitement impulses.

While it is not completely known how and why these brain inhibition systems result in hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women, we do know that certain factors put women at risk of developing HSDD.

Causes & risk factors

Sexual functioning of the partner.
Medical conditions such as diabetes.
Medication side effects, such as commonly used antidepressants or blood pressure medications.
Negative attitudes about sexuality.
Problems in a relationship, including emotional or physical abuse.
Psychiatric issues such as anxiety and depression.

Symptoms of HSDD

Lack or loss of interest to initiate or engage in sexual activity.
Absence or decrease of spontaneous desire, which is the need to experience sexual arousal.
Not responding to sexual stimulation or cues, which can be visual or related to other senses.
Reduced or missing ability to maintain interest or desire in sexual activity for at least 6 months.
Experiences of high personal stress due to the lack of sexual desire.

Psychotherapy and sex therapy

Psychotherapy is often beneficial as it can help to resolve unconscious conflicts from early development or current issues in a woman’s life.

Some couples may need marriage/relationship counseling prior to or in addition to specific HSDD therapy. Sex therapy sessions may be recommended, which sometimes may include dual sex therapy involving both partners.

Treatment of HSDD/low libido (sex drive) in women

Treatment for hypoactive sexual desire disorder addresses the psychological, social and biological aspects of the condition. Treatment decisions are always customized to each woman to meet her specific situation and needs.

Addressing the suspected underlying contributing factors for HSDD is often the best approach, focusing first on the factors that are particularly stressful to the woman. At Vitality Health & Wellness, we discuss all treatment options with each patient before initiating any form of treatment.

Medications (drug therapy)

Available studies show that testosterone, typically used for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women to help balance reproductive hormones, has a significant impact sexual arousal and sex drive. All medication options require monitoring of the patient, as risk assessments of these off-label drugs for HSSD patients has not been fully explored.

At Vitality Health and Wellness, we assess your needs and symptoms in depth. Utilizing our Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) program, you may experience life-changing symptomatic improvement.

Let Vitality Health & Wellness help you be healthier and happier!