Women Make Excuses About Sex!?!
Hypoactive Sexual Desire disorder (HSDD)
That’s a myth.
For a growing number of women, declining hormones, job stress, relationship issues, and other problems are taking their toll on many women in the bedroom (Warnock, 2002).
Loss of sexual desire, known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is the most common form of sexual dysfunction among women (Mayo Clinic, 2014). In a recent study on women from ages 18-59 resulted in nearly one-third of the women suffering in lost interest of sex (Mayo Clinic, 2014). This may not be all in their heads.
When there is a decrease in the desire to have sex and it is causing issues in their everyday life, then it is considered to be HSDD.
Symptoms:
When to see the Doctor:
If the decrease in sexual desire bothers either partner or effects everyday life it might be time to talk to a doctor (Mayo Clinic, 2014). There could be a simple explanation and could be fixed by a change in medication.
Some may also benefit from counseling or sex therapy. It is best to see a mental health provider. Most have a minimum of a Masters degree in behavioral health or a related field but they can also be a psychiatrist, family therapist, a psychologist, or a clinical social worker, who has had training in sexual health.
Development:
A women’s sexual drive is more complicated than it seems. It is based on many aspects in life including physical well-being, emotional well-being, experiences, beliefs, lifestyle and current relationship (Mayo Clinic, 2014). This list also includes:
- Sexual problems.
- Medical diseases.
- Medications.
- Alcohol and drugs.
- Surgery.
- Fatigue.
- Hormone changes (Menopause).
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding.
- Psychological causes (depression & anxiety)
Impact of HSDD:
For women emotional closeness is often associated with sexual desire (Mayo Clinic, 2014). So decreased sexual desire can impact relationships by:
- Decreasing lack of connection with their partner
- Causing conflicts or fights
- Decreasing communication of sexual needs and preferences
- Causing infidelity or breach of trust
Diagnosis & Treatment:
Diagnosis: If there is lack sexual thoughts or desire, and the lack of these causes personal stress in one or more areas of life a doctor may diagnosis HSDD (Mayo Clinic, 2014). A doctor can look for reasons that an individual’s sex drive has decreased by:
- Performing a pelvic exam.
- Recommending testing.
- Referring to a specialist.
Treatment: Most women benefit from a treatment approach aimed at the many causes behind this condition. Recommendations may include sex education, hormone therapy, counseling and sometimes medication (Sexual Medicine , 2014).
References
Mayo Clinic. (2014). Low sex drive in women. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/low-sex-drive-in-women/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20033229
Sexual Medicine Society of North America. (2014). Learn more about Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).Retrieved from http://www.sexhealthmatters.org/hsdd
Warnock, J. (2002). Female Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?linkname=pubmed_pubmed&from_uid=12383030
Picture and video credit to:
http://iconosquare.com/p/841290375355953517_1412055763
http://regioni.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/hot-topic-empowering-women/