Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: A biopsychosocial perspective

Hypoactive sexual desire in women is a subjectively defined state in which there is a diminishment or absence of sexual fantasy or desire for sexual activity which causes interpersonal difficulty and distress. It is a public health concern that affects over 40 million women of all ages in the United States. In this thesis a biopsychosocial approach to understanding hypoactive sexual desire in women is presented. This approach emphasizes the importance of assessing the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to health and illness. Biological, psychological, and social factors associated with hypoactive sexual desire are described, and treatment interventions are discussed