Is defined by the absence of sexual fantasy and thoughts, or desire for sexual activity. Low sexual desire alone doesn’t mean you are having hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
What are the causes of HSDD?
Relationship issues may be one of the causes of HSDD. For example, if there is a conflict or a lack of trust in a relationship, a person may lose interest in sex with a partner.
Some psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem may be associated with the development of HSDD.
An imbalance of neurotransmitters (dopamine) in the brain may be causing a decrease in sexual desire.
Low hormonal levels such as male and female hormones and also high levels of prolactin which are commonly caused by prolactinoma may also cause HSDD.
Noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, prostate diseases, and neurological disorders may be caused by HSDD.
Certain medications such as anti hypertensives, depression and anxiety as well as some pain killers will lead to HSDD.
How to diagnose HSDD?
A general practitioner may provide a series of questions called the Decreased Sexual Desire Screener(DSDS) to help diagnose HSDD.
The first four questions are:
- In the past, was your level of sexual desire/interest good and satisfying to you?
- Has there been a decrease in your level of sexual desire/interest?
- Are you bothered by your decreased level of sexual desire/interest?
- Would you like your level of sexual desire/interest to increase?
To diagnose HSDD, the symptoms must persist for at least six months, cause clinically significant distress, and not be better explained by another condition.
A blood test should be performed such as infertility studies which cover male/female hormonal levels and also serum prolactin to rule out the growth in the brain.
MRI can be suggested to rule out any anomalies in brain growth.
Treatment
Counselling
Sex therapy counseling can be given by a sex therapist. Normally it should be conducted and counseled with a partner. The treatment will go more into relationship and communication issues, improved communication, working on non-sexual intimacy, and education about sexuality.
The practitioner also will find out the biological causes of a patient who is suffering from HSDD.
Medication
Flibanserin is the medical used for the treatment of HSDD in pre-menopausal women.
Off-label used medication
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) can also improve sexual function in patients.
For male patients, testosterone supplementation is effective in HSDD patients.
