Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, or HSDD, is characterized by doctors as a type of sexual dysfunction noted in one in 10 female patients, making this the most prevalent female sexual condition. HSDD is diagnosed in female patients with greatly reduced sex drive and lacking overall sexual interest. While sexual desire does tend to fluctuate with age and at certain points in life (i.e., pregnancy or menopause), HSDD greatly affects a patient’s mental health (self esteem), relationship, and quality of life.
HSDD must also be consistent for a duration of at least 6 or more months to be officially diagnosed. Treatment for HSDD is prescribed by doctors in a self-administered injection, and to date is the only FDA-approved treatment for generalized HSDD for premenopausal women. However, patients with uncontrolled hypertension or a history of heart disease should not take this medication. There are also plenty of online resources to help you identify if you have HSDD, for example, take a quiz online to see if you identify with any of the following symptoms of HSDD:
1. No pleasure from intercourse or sexual stimulation
Patients with HSDD have a lot of difficulty taking pleasure from sex or sexual stimulation. However, patients are often embarrassed to bring this to the attention of a doctor so HSDD often goes under-diagnosed in affected women. Keep in mind, many underlying health conditions may contribute to HSDD development and lower sexual drive, such as:
- Heart failure
- Renal issues
- Stroke
- HIV
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hypothyroidism
- Addison’s disease
- Cushing’s disease
- Temporal lobe lesions
- Menopause
- Antidepressant medications (i.e., antipsychotics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, etc.).
2. Lack of interest in sexual activity
HSDD is characterized by many health professionals as the total lack of sexual desire, which as you can imagine can significantly impact a romantic partnership. In fact, patients with diagnosed HSDD report a lack of receptiveness to all instances of sexual activity, which causes great distress within a personal relationship. For doctors to diagnose HSDD, this sexual distress must be present for a formal diagnosis.
3. Few or no sexual thoughts
According to a 2008 research study conducted by medical psychiatry residents at Ohio’s Wright State University School of Medicine, HSDD is characterized by the “persistently or recurrently deficient (or absent) sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity.”
4. No interest in initiating sex
According to the American Sexual Health Organization, HSDD patients are unreceptive to sexual activity consistently over time. This is unlike women who may have a low libido for some time, only to have their sexual desire return or fluctuate with time.
