Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) : Situation of low sex drive in women

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is condition which causes low sex drive or disinterest in sexual intercourse.

Sexual desires in women naturally fluctuate over the years. Some medications used for mood disorders also can cause low sex drive in women.

Lack of connection with your partner, unresolved conflicts or fights, poor communication of sexual needs and preferences
and trust issues can cause low sex drive.

If you’re bothered by a low sex drive there are lifestyle changes and sexual techniques that may put you in the mood more often. Some medications may offer promise as well.

Symptoms

If you want to have sex less often than your partner does, neither one of you is necessarily outside the norm for people at your stage in life. Even if your sex drive is weaker than it once was, your relationship may be stronger than ever.

Having no interest in any type of sexual activity, including masturbation

Never or only seldom having sexual fantasies or thoughts
Being concerned by your lack of sexual activity or fantasies
When to see a doctor

If you’re concerned by your low desire for sex, talk to your doctor.

Causes

Desire for sex is based on a complex interaction of many things. It affects intimacy, including physical and emotional well-being, experiences, beliefs, lifestyle, and your current relationship. If you’re experiencing a problem in any of these areas, it can affect your desire for sex.

Lifestyle habits

A glass of wine may put you in the mood, but too much alcohol can affect your sex drive. The same is true of street drugs. Also, smoking decreases blood flow, which may dull arousal.

If you have pain during sex or can’t orgasm, it can reduce your desire for sex.

Medical diseases

Many nonsexual diseases can affect sex drive, including arthritis, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and neurological diseases.

Certain prescription drugs, especially antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are known to lower the sex drive.

Any surgery related to your breasts or genital tract can affect your body image, sexual function and desire for sex.

Exhaustion from caring for young children or aging parents can contribute to low sex drive. Fatigue from illness or surgery also can play a role in a low sex drive.

Changes in your hormone levels may alter your desire for sex. This can occur during menopause. Estrogen levels drop during the transition to menopause. This can make you less interested in sex and cause dry vaginal tissues, resulting in painful or uncomfortable sex.

Although many women still have satisfying sex during menopause and beyond, some experience a lagging libido during this hormonal change.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding. Hormone changes during pregnancy, just after having a baby and during breast-feeding can put a damper on sex drive.

Changes in body image, and the pressures of pregnancy or caring for a new baby also can contribute to changes in your sexual desire.

Your state of mind can affect your sexual desire. There are many psychological causes of low sex drive. Anxiety or depression
Stress, such as financial stress or work stress can also cause low sex drive.

Relationship issues

For many women, emotional closeness is an essential prelude to sexual intimacy. So problems in your relationship can be a major factor in low sex drive. Decreased interest in sex is often a result of ongoing issues.