Intimacy is a vital aspect of every romantic relationship, and not to mention, the key to survival. However, it can be an extremely touchy subject especially if there is a complication involved. If you suddenly lose sexual attraction to your romantic partner, it is not because of that weird t-shirt he bought last Sunday. The most likely reason for this is HSDD.
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, otherwise known as HSDD affects nearly one in every ten women. Therefore, HSDD is a common complaint that many women share. HSDD causes a woman to lose sexual interest for long periods of time. Drops in libido aren't uncommon, but what sets HSDD apart from regular feelings is that this drop in libido may cause the female great distress. If this in any way seems like you or someone you may know, it is best to continue reading on.
Causes of HSDD
The current known causes of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder are both psychological and physical. Psychological causations can be difficult to pinpoint without direct, honest answers or observable, exhibited behaviors by the affected. Thus, physical causes are easier to pinpoint.
Psychological Causes of HSDD
- Neurotransmitters: Neurotransmitters have a big part to play in how we react to certain situations as well as how we feel every day. Any imbalance in the neurotransmitters may result in a loss of interest in intercourse. Serotonin imbalance is one of the causes.
- Chronic Negative Emotions: Long bouts of negative emotions have been shown to be linked to the onset of HSDD. These emotions include depression, low self-esteem, and severe anxiety.
- Relationship Issues: Healthy relationships should consist of mutual trust between the two individuals. If there is a lack of trust or constant conflict, one partner may lose interest in another. This may even extend to a decreased sexual desire.
Physical Causes of HSDD
- Medications: It is very common to hear a diminished sexual drive as a side effect of many over the counter and prescribed medications. Some known medications with this side effect are ones that are aimed with treating high blood pressure, anxiety, pain, and depression.
- Medical Conditions: Certain conditions have been found to be linked to the development of HSDD. The most common instances include thyroid ailments, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, breast cancer, and urinary incontinence.
Symptoms of HSDD
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder can often lead to great distress in the lives of both the affected women and their romantic partners. The experience can cause confusion, distance, and feeling distraught in the lives of couples. To avoid this, it is important to know the symptoms of HSDD as it is very easy to be confused with everyday mood swings or the constant highs and lows of your libido. Furthermore, because it is mostly psychological, diagnosis may be a difficult process. The symptoms of HSDD include:
- Disinterest in sexual activity
- No sexual thoughts
- Inability to produce fantasies
- Little to no sensation from stimulation
- Finding intercourse repulsive or unpleasurable
If any of these symptoms have been occurring for long periods of time in you or someone you may know, you may be at risk for HSDD. It is important to keep a note of how long these symptoms have been occurring, as that is what doctors use in diagnosis.
Treatments for HSDD
In any case, the first steps to treating any health problem would be to consult your current Healthcare provider or a specialist to point you in the correct direction. A simple yet personal set of four questions are often asked to ensure the proper diagnosis of your health problem. These questions are:
- Has your past sexual interest been good and at a desirable level to you?
- Was there ever a time where your level of sexual desire decreased to a noticeable point and is it ongoing?
- Has your lowered level of sexual interest become bothersome to you?
- Would you like for your level of sexual interest to increase?
Experts recommend a change in lifestyle to increase one’s libido. This may include going for a morning run or heading to the gym for a satisfying workout. An alternative option would be therapy. Counseling may lead to beneficial results in countering your lowered libido.