Tag Archives: relationships

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder – Symptoms, Diagnosis, Causes and Treatment

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) 

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is sexual dysfunction. A person suffering from HSDD tends to lose interest and desire for sex or sexual activities and does not react to any sexual impulse. It is important to note that in order to be diagnosed with a hypoactive sexual desire disorder, the person should lack interest and desire for any sexual activities for quite a long period. 

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is more ubiquitous than people think.

Although anyone can be affected by this condition, generally, the cases of women suffering from Hypoactive sexual desire disorder are more common, especially in today’s time. It may be due to the present lifestyle and related stresses. Due to this, this condition is now also known as female sexual interest/arousal disorder. But sometimes people consider the condition of low libido in women as hypoactive sexual desire disorder. The two are different conditions and need different kinds of attention. 

Causes of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

As sexual desire is a feeling that varies over time, it becomes complicated to understand it. In essence, even after many studies, the exact reason for the condition of HSDD is still unknown. Nevertheless, the specialists noticed a few reasons responsible for hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Some of them are listed below:

Underlying medical conditions

Some specific medical conditions have been identified as the reason for causing Hypoactive sexual desire disorder. It includes medical conditions such as diabetes, depression, and heart disease.

Certain Medications

Along with medical conditions, certain medications may also be a cause of Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, especially in women such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and some oral contraceptives.

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is one of the serious issues that can cause such sexual disorders. A sexually abused person often suffers from a lack of sexual activity due to the trauma which later results in such disorders. 

Stress and Anxiety

People facing a stressed lifestyle or anxiety disorders usually experience negative effects in their sexual life. In some instances, it develops into sexual conditions such as HSDD.

How to diagnose Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder?

Firstly, to be diagnosed with Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, the person should have the symptoms persist for at least 6 months. Many times people confuse a low libido with Hypoactive sexual desire disorder, therefor the symptoms should be persistent enough effects to cause some notable distress.

Along with severe symptoms, the doctors also do a questionnaire called Decreased Sexual Desire Screener(DSDS) Test to confirm the diagnosis of HSDD. 

Treatment of Hypoactive sexual desire disorder

The hypoactive sexual desire disorder can result in a distressed person, but the sigh of relief is that it can be cured. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is a condition caused by psychological, social, and biological factors. It can’t be cured with any specific medication. The cure includes a timely and rightly followed routine of proper medications and psychotherapy.

Medications

Consulting a doctor will help you to choose the right medication for your disorder. Some of them are:

Addyi

It is used for treating specifically hypoactive sexual disorders in women with premenopause. One thing that should be considered before using it is, that low sexual desire is not caused due to any medical condition, drug intake or mental disorder, etc. Women should not have menopause.

Buspirone

It is a type of antidepressant, called anxiolytics. It is used in curing anxiety disorders, by changing some natural elements inside the brain. Sometimes its effect results in hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

Conclusion 

The 21st century is an era of various innovations and technical upgrades. However, with progress in technology and changing lifestyles, the stress factor has also evolved. As a result, many stress-caused conditions of heart, mental, and sexual conditions are on a rise. Hypoactive sexual disorder is one such condition. However, several medical treatments and therapy are available. One of the suggested psychotherapy is sex therapy. This therapy aims to find and cure the fundamental cause of your sexual disorder. It is important to understand your condition before choosing the treatment. 

How To Keep The Spark Alive With Your Long Time Partner

The seven year itch, it’s called. It seems to be the timeline in a relationship when boredom or lack of passion begins to set in. It could happen later than that for some couples, or even sooner. But, at some point there comes a time when the spark is missing.

Every relationship takes work and commitment to make sure that it is able to evolve. People change over time, so the relationship has to change with them. And that isn’t easy to do. Life together can’t be like the first date forever. 

It takes some determination to make sure that the passion is still there and that you feel that same enthusiasm about the relationship as you had in the early days.

In this article, I will go over some ways to make sure that you keep that spark alive that will fan the flames of passion in your relationship.

1 – Give a gift for no reason

A gift can show somebody that you have been thinking of them and want to bring them some joy since they bring you so much. When the spark seems to be fading, a gift at the right time can do wonders to help reignite it. 

Amazing gift ideas for your husband or boyfriend are not difficult to find especially when you know him well. And if you think it’s the husband’s or boyfriend’s job to be the gift giver, well, that is not a good way to think.

This should be a two way street in which both of you are thinking about each other. You may be wondering why he doesn’t ever give you small gifts to show his appreciation from you, but if you start the trend then he will surely follow.

2 – Make the changes you want to see

To piggyback on the last bit in the last section. Instead of waiting for things to change, you may need to take the initiative. Don’t ask him why he never gives you tokens of appreciation lately. Or why he isn’t so affectionate. It can put him on the defensive and have the opposite effect. Rightly or wrongly. So, if you want more affection, then be more affectionate. If you want more spontaneity from your partner, then be more spontaneous. 

Of course, there does come a point that if the hint isn’t taken then you’ll have to be more blunt about it. At least start the process and see how it goes.

3 – Do activities together

It’s definitely good for a couple for the individuals to have their own separate interests. Hobbies that they can do on their own so they can grow themselves as an individual and not a half of a pair.

But, the trouble with most couples is that they have too much time apart doing their own things. It’s almost like they live a life together but separately. Try to change that by either finding activities that can be done together or by inviting your partner along in your hobby.

Whatever it is you decide to do, make sure that it is something that is engaging for both of you and something to look forward to. Even just doing something like a board game together can create a deep bond. And if the activity has you laughing together it can bring you right back to the early period in your relationship when you just enjoyed each other’s company very much.

4 – Put the phone down

If you are sitting together then actually be in each other’s presence by putting down the phone. Of course, you can check your social media and read some articles on your phone whenever you please, but try to set aside the time to do that when you are on your own. 

When you are together it should be quality time in which conversations are started and ideas are exchanged. When you are both on your phones, it can set the tone that you are not present and the presence of your partner is not that important to you.

Social media and our devices are driving a wedge between us and our loved ones. Try to break the habit and you’ll see a big difference in your relationship.

Conclusion

It’s a bit of work keeping the spark alive. But, it should never feel like a chore. When you dedicate yourself to living a beautiful life together, then it will pay off in spades.