Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
Breaking the silence - discussing decreased sexual desire in women
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is the medical term for the most common form of sexual dysfunction in women. Approximately 1.3 million Canadian women experience a decrease in sexual desire which can cause emotional distress.
Understanding Female Sexual Dysfunction:
Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and decreased sexual desire are hardly new phenomena, but research in this area only dates back to the early 1980s. A diagnosis of FSD requires that a woman feels distressed about her sexual difficulties.
What is Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder?
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), also referred to as decreased sexual desire, is the most common form of female sexual dysfunction. It is defined as diminished feelings of sexual interest or desire that causes marked distress and is not caused by a medical condition (e.g. Major Depressive Disorder, multiple sclerosis, hypothyroidism) or a drug or medication (e.g. alcohol, antidepressant).
HSDD occurs in both premenopausal and menopausal women.
Approximately 10% of Canadian women have experienced a decrease in
sexual desire/interest which is bothersome and not attributed to pregnancy,
recent birth, alcohol and/or drugs.
