The reasons why a woman’s sexual desire disappears are very varied and will not always include sexual dysfunction, a woman’s libido tends to fluctuate more than a man’s, and desire can decrease on certain occasions.
Several researches, such as that conducted by the Finnish University of Turku, explain that these variations depend mainly on factors related to the pair.
- One of the reasons a woman’s sexual desire may decrease is female sexual arousal disorder.
- This disorder is documented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
When we talk about the disorder of female sexual arousal, a woman’s sexual desire really disappears, however, we have to consider the interpersonal context in which she finds he or she.
A difference in desire when a woman is less willing to maintain sexual activity than her partner is not enough to diagnose the disorder, as this is natural in some cases and does not fall into the field of pathology.
DSM-5 proposes a set of criteria for evaluating and diagnosing this disorder, if they are not satisfied, the woman affected with a low sex drive probably does not have a psychological disorder, let’s see what those criteria are.
A. Absence or significant reduction of female sexual interest/arousal, which manifests itself in at least one of the following:
B. The symptoms of criterion A are maintained for at least six months.
C. The symptoms of criterion A cause clinically significant discomfort in the individual.
D. Sexual dysfunction is not justified by a non-sexual mental disorder, or as a result of a serious change in the relationship (eg, Gender-based violence) or other major stressors. It also cannot be attributed to the effects of a substance / drug or other health problem.
There may be different symptoms in each woman, as well as variations in the way sexual interest and arousal is expressed. No woman is the same.
For example, in a woman, sexual arousal disorder can be expressed by a lack of interest in sexual activity. There is also a lack of erotic or sexual thoughts and a reluctance to engage in sexual activity and respond to sexual invitations.
In another woman, or at the same time at another stage of her life, the main characteristics may be the inability to become sexually aroused and respond with sexual desire to sexual stimuli.
Female sexual arousal disorder is often associated with difficulty reaching orgasm, also with pain during sexual activity, rare sexual activity and gaps in desire in the partner.
Difficulties in relationships and mood disorders are also characteristic of this disorder. Expectations about sexual performance don’t help either. Unrealistic patterns about the appropriate level of sexual interest or arousal, as well as unproductive sexual techniques and lack of information about sexuality, can also play a role.
These factors, as well as the beliefs of sexist ideology, are important circumstances to consider. The information society, such as sex education received in the past, can be an obstacle to them.
As mentioned above, not everything can be described as a disorder. The causes of this decrease in the desire to have sex may also be related to the use of certain types of medications, such as birth control pills or antidepressants.
The problem may have its origins in something that goes beyond the time you are with your partner, or the treatment you are taking, although it is usually related to women of premenopausal age, is a sexual dysfunction that affects all ages.
In the United States, about a third of the female population suffers from the disorder, according to a report from the University of Oklahoma Center for Health Sciences. By contrast, the Mayo Clinic indicates that 40% of women will suffer this dysfunction at some point in their lives.
If you are a woman and you find yourself in this situation (and this worries you), we recommend that you consult a psychologist specialized in sexual dysfunction, only he will help you return to a level of desire that improves your quality. of life.