Expert Available To Discuss Recent Prevalence of Female Sexual Dysfunction Study

According to a recent study of over 30,000 women in the U.S. published in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, over 40% of women report having some sort of sexual dysfunction, and 12% reported distress and that these problems affected their daily lives.

“These statistics are consistent with other reports of prevalence,” says Dr. Sheryl A. Kingsberg, clinical psychologist, author, and associate professor. “More than 40% of women have one or more sexual problems and more that 10% of these women are significantly distressed by their sexual problems.” The most prevalent sexual problem for women of all ages is hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Experts in sexual medicine consider a sexual problem to be a disorder only when it causes distress in the individual or causes interpersonal difficulties. Dr. Kingsberg believes physicians are not initiating discussions about sexual concerns with patients due to shorter patient visits, lack of training in sexual medicine, and the lack of an FDA-approved Rx treatment for female sexual disorders.

In the Massachusetts General Hospital study, 39% of women eighteen and older reported low levels of desire, 26% had problems with arousal, and 21% had difficulties with orgasm. Women older than sixty-five had the highest levels of sexual problems, but they also reported the least amount of distress about the issue.

Incidence of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), the most common sexual problem for women increases with age and after certain surgical procedures, particularly removal of the ovaries, and can arise from many causes, including relationship problems, the use of prescription pharmaceuticals, chronic diseases, or chemical imbalances in the brain.

Although testosterone is popularly thought of as a male hormone, it also is present in women and is important for sexual health, particularly sexual desire. Postmenopausal women with HSDD have been treated with off-label or compounded testosterone for many years, although the hormone has not been approved specifically for that use in the U.S. Researchers believe that testosterone levels, which fall with increasing age, may contribute to a woman’s sexual desire.

A woman in her fifties has about half the level of blood testosterone than a woman in her twenties. “A significant drop in sex drive can lead to distress for both parties in the relationship,” says Dr. Kingsberg. “It can also jumpstart discussions to address the problem. It may be a problem to some women and not one to others, but the bottom line is discussions need to be made with doctors because it is an issue where larger health problems can stem from.”

“More awareness is being made in the medical community to identify significant changes in sexual desire in post-menopause patients and guide women to doctors specializing in sexual health and or/counseling,” explains Dr. Kingsberg. “Online resources also are available such as arhp.org and the National Women’s Health Network. While there is no FDA approved treatment, progress is being made.”