The most prevalent sexual dysfunction that affects women globally is HSDD or Hypoactive sexual desire disorder. While dearth of sexual desire is the primary sign of this condition, there are others symptoms like not having sexual fantasies, major personal anguish owing to this lack and facing challenges in relationship, as well. Available reports say one in ten women is afflicted with HSDD which often disrupts personal relationship as it makes the partner apprehensive about the future.
Dropping libido is a natural phenomenon in women and results from an array of reasons including hormonal changes, medication side effects, pregnancy and breast-feeding, surgery, lifestyle habits and conditions like chronic insomnia, newborn baby, sexual problems like vaginal dryness, physical and psychological causes, even stress. Normally these bouts of indifference are brief and in most cases libido does return. At times it also depends on the partner’s health and sexual energy; hence an evaluation of the partner is a critical cog in the diagnosis of HSDD.
That said, misery and distress is the key to identify HSDD in a woman. If she is not troubled by her low desires, she is not affected with the condition. Also, for those with continuous or frequent lack of desire which creates distress, there is good news! HSDD is a treatable disorder.
Taking a doctor’s help can solve the issue by a simple alteration in the regular medicines or by treating underlying diseases like hypertension or diabetes. At times, just a little change in the lifestyle or in sexual positions also solves the problem.
Treatment options
If medical treatment is suggested then there are quite a few effective ones based on the causes of the condition and are multifactorial in nature. In recent years, the oral pill, Flibanserin which is available in the market as Addyi, is gaining prominence as an easy cure to HSDD. As the first approved pill to treat HSDD, Addyi/flibanserin is known to have worked for more than half of all who tried it in randomized placebo-control clinical tests.
The pill does not contain any hormone and is a psychotropic medication which has to be taken daily for yielding positive results. Addyi works on the serotonin receptors of women, but its modus operandi is still not very clear. Popular belief is flibanserin decreases brain serotonin activity — which might be effective in bringing back desire.
It is important to understand that this pill does not have any magical effect and it is direly misleading to call it "female Viagra." Addyi also has annoying side effects like drowsiness and passing out.
Medical research says Addyi takes up to four weeks to yield result, but to see the optimal result one might have to wait for eight or twelve weeks, while those not responding to it after 12 weeks, might not benefit from the pill. Addyi is not an aphrodisiac and does not lead to hypersexuality and never interferes with good judgment when it comes to consent. Also, rather than weight gain, this pill is known to cause weight loss. (source- https://www.sexualityresource.com/blog)
Awareness on female sexual dysfunctions is still not at the desired level. It is very important for women, their partners and doctors to seek and create more knowledge and understanding for living a healthy and gratifying life.
Information is power!!
