Low Sexual Desire Is a Very Real Disorder for Many Women

Nationally, there is an important dialogue taking place regarding female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and whether it is a legitimate medical condition that requires treatment. HealthyWomen, based on the data that is currently available, believes that FSDs are real disorders that affect millions of women in the United States.

 A recent HealthyWomen survey (supported by Palatin Technologies, makers of the investigational therapy bremelanotide), revealed that as many as 6 in 10 premenopausal women who are experiencing low desire are distressed by it. Additionally, some 40 percent of women polled blame themselves for their low desire. Clearly, more awareness and education are needed around this topic.
Low sexual desire—known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD)—is the most common form of FSD. Some of the HSDD symptoms include: lack of sexual thoughts, lack of desire that cannot be attributed to any other medical or psychological problems. The key criteria of the disorder is that it causes personal distress.

According to the HealthyWomen survey (a study of 906 premenopausal women), as many as 95 percent of women say a healthy sex life is important to a romantic relationship; yet, 40 percent of these women admit they avoid sex with their partner due to low desire.

Credit: HealthyWoman