A Woman’s Guide to Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

It’s perfectly normal for women and men to experience occasional declines in sexual desire. Sometimes, this is due to a physical issue, such as a UTI, or it may have psychological roots. However, some women who consistently have little interest in sex may have female hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). If you believe that you may have HSDD, you can consult a urologist regarding ways of improving your sexual health.

Diagnostic Criteria

First, the urologist will ask you about your symptoms. Women with HSDD have little or no interest in sexual activity, including self-stimulation. However, HSDD is only diagnosed when the individual is also distressed by the lack of sexual desire. In other words, a patient could have a very low sex drive, but not have sexual dysfunction as long as she isn’t bothered by her low libido. There is no specific test that can confirm a diagnosis of HSDD. However, the urologist may perform exams and tests to rule out possible physical causes of a low libido. For example, the doctor might recommend a pelvic exam and blood tests.

Possible Causes

Sexual desire is a complex matter that can be influenced by many factors. Some women may develop HSDD because of sexual health problems, such as pain during intercourse or thinning of the vaginal tissues. Certain diseases can interfere with libido, including diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and neurological conditions.

Treatment Options

If the urologist can identify underlying causes of HSDD, then treating those issues may resolve the problem. The urologist might also recommend hormone therapy or Addyi (flibanserin). Addyi is a libido-boosting drug recently approved by the FDA.

If you feel you may have some form of female sexual dysfunction in Nashville, you can find the help you need at the Women’s Institute for Sexual Health (WISH) at Urology Associates, P.C. Our team of sexual health specialists understands that it can be difficult for women to discuss sexual dysfunction, which is why we’ve made it our mission to provide compassionate care within a supportive and nurturing setting. Take control of your sexual health by calling us today at 888-245-0702.