Hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
OBJECTIVE
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is the most prevalent female sexual dysfunction, with estimates of prevalence approximating 10%. By definition it is a deficiency of sexual desire that causes distress. HSDD has no single cause, but physiological, psychological and socio-cultural factors underpinning female sexual desire may all be important in its development.


RESULTS
Medical therapeutic strategies to date have concentrated on modulation of hormone levels, particularly androgen administration, yet few products have been approved for the treatment of HSDD in developed countries. More recent medical targets have included agents with 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist activity. Psychological therapeutic approaches have been infrequently studied but concentrate on cognitive behavioural therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
HSDD is an evolving diagnosis, the existence of which has been questioned by some critics. Whilst HSDD remains the subject of ongoing research, its title and definition are under debate as a new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association approaches publication in 2012.
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, The Alfred Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Sonia.davison@monash.edu
Sonia L
SL
Davison
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007989:Libido; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*
D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone