You might be suffering from HYPOACTIVE SEXUAL DESIRE.

Definition:
Persistently or recurrently deficient (or absent) sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity.

Sexual desire includes sexual dreams and fantasies, attention to erotic material,wishes of sexual activity, and noticing attractive partners. People withHypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder have low interest in initiating sexual behaviour and are unreceptive to partner’s sexual advances. Desire is referred as sex drive, libido or interest.

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty. It can be the consequences of emotional distress. General medical conditions may have deleterious effect on sexual desire due to pain, weakness or concern about survival. Depression is often associated with low sexual desire. Depression may precede or can be the consequence of deficient sexual desire. The couple may have marital dissatisfaction or disruption.

The age of onset may be puberty or later on during adulthood. It may be continuous or episodic, depending on psychosocial or relationship factors. Abnormalities in bioavailable Testosterone and Prolactin may indicate hormonal disorder responsible for loss of sexual desire.

Neurophysiological basis of sexual desire lies in limbic system of brain. Desire can be high,moderate or low or absent. It changes in relation t one’s sex, age, nature of up bringing, current relationship and other environmental factors. Genital excitement can be recognized by genital tingling, tumescence or lubrication,erotic dreams, nocturnal emission, partner seeking behaviour, masturbation anderotic fantasies.

The hormone responsible or sexual desire in both sexes is Testosterone. Men are more sexually active at all ages than women. Female sex drive is less intense than male. Intercourse does not mean intense pleasure to a woman as to a man. The diagnosis of ‘Hypoactive Sexual Desire’ is arrived at when an individual shows low initiatory behaviour or persistently shows negative receptivity to sexual advances by the partner.

Causes:

  • Low Testosterone level.
  • Low level of Thyroid hormones.
  • High level of Prolactin.
  • Cardiac, renal conditions.
  • Diabetes.
  • Chronic illness.
  • Hostility, anger towards partner.
  • Antipsychotic & antihypertensive drugs.
  • Depression, Psychotic disorders.
  • Childhood sexual abuse.

Treatment:

Basic sexual misinformation and destructive relationship can be treated by education and counselling. Supportive behaviour therapy helps to relieve performance anxiety. Couple should be advised sensate focus exercises (Mutually pleasuring.)