Sexual stimulation for women is not only physical or genital, but also psychological and emotional. Sexual arousal focuses on the physiologic aspect of genital arousal, i.e. genital vasocongestion, lubrication, tingling and what women may perceive as sexual arousal is the subjective feeling of being “turned on”.
In the clinical setting, women with decreased lubrication complain of vaginal dryness or discomfort with intercourse and, when referring to a lack of arousal, the complaints will be the lack of subjective excitement in her mind.
Features:
1. Absent/reduced interest in sex related activities
2. Absent/reduced sexual/erotic thoughts
3. No/reduced initiation of sexual activity and typically unreceptive to a partner’s attempts
4. Absent/reduced frequency or intensity of sexual excitement / pleasure
5. Absent/reduced sexual interest/arousal in response to any sexual/erotic hints (e.g., written, verbal, visual, etc.)
6. Absent/reduced frequency or intensity of genital and/or non-genital sensations during sexual activities
Causes of HSDD
1. Medical – Thyroid hormone related issues, Urinary Incontinence, Diabetes Hypertension, Arthritis, Spinal cord injury.
2. Medicines – Antipsychotics, Cardiovascular and Antihypertensive drugs, Hormone-influencing medication, Combined oral contraceptives.
3. Psychological – Sexual abuse, Stress and fatigue, High distraction, Anxiety, Depression, Body image self-consciousness.
4. Relationship characteristics – Partner’s sexual dysfunction, Global dissatisfaction with the relationship, Poor sexual communication skills.