The epidemiology and diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire disorder and causes of HSDD: Situational, depression, drugs, chronic illnesses, and hormonal depletion

Abstract

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is defined as persistent deficient sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity that causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty and is not better accounted for by another psychiatric disorder or substance, medication, or medical condition. HSDD affects 10 % of women ages 18 and older. HSDD is associated with lower health-related quality of life, lower general happiness and relationship satisfaction, and low self-esteem. HSDD is underdetected; important areas for diagnostic evaluation include screening for depression, medications, relationship satisfaction, and androgen status. The decreased sexual desire screener is a tool for detecting and diagnosing HSDD, validated for use in primary care.