Download Dealing with the symptoms of loss of Sexual Desire in Women

Porterbrook Clinic
Sheffield Care Trust
Dealing with the symptoms of loss of
Sexual Desire in Women
Treatment Options for Hypoactive
Sexual Desire Disorder in Women
Information for Users of our service
Dr Kevan Wylie
Clinical Lead
Porterbrook Clinic
75 Osborne Road
Nether Edge
Sheffield S11 9BF
Telephone: 0114 271 6671
Fax: 0114 271 8693
Email: [email protected]
www.porterbrookclinic.org.uk
Loss of sexual desire is estimated to
Psychological Treatment
affect approximately 1 in 5 people at
some point in their lives. In women, the
Psychotherapy is often used either on its
problem is even more common, with as
own, or alongside medical therapy. You
many as 3 in 10 women thought to
will usually be invited to attend the
have a reduced or absent interest in
sessions with your partner, where you
sexual activity of one kind or another.
will be seen either by an individual
The medical term for this condition is
therapist or by two therapists working
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
together. During the sessions, you and
(HSDD).
your partner will be invited to talk about
the symptoms of loss of desire and any
There are many factors which can
other related issues, as well as working
contribute to HSDD, including medical
out ways to deal with these issues when
and psychiatric disorders, hormonal
they arise. Anything that is discussed at
factors and relationship issues. In order
these sessions is completely confidential
to assess which treatments would be
and will not be disclosed to anyone
most effective for you, you will be seen
outside the clinic, other than your GP
at the clinic where you will be asked
and referrer, unless there is reason to
some detailed questions about the
believe that another individual may be
problems that you are experiencing, as
at risk.
well as arranging certain blood tests.
Because there are many possible causes
Medical Treatment
for the condition, treatment can be
either medical or psychological or a
There are currently no medications
combination of both. The main methods
which are licensed to be used as
of treating HSDD are summarized
treatment
below.
However, some medications which are
specifically
for
HSDD.
currently being used to treat other
More detailed information about
disorders have been shown, during
these treatments is available from
research and in clinical experience, to be
the clinic in separate information
effective in helping women with this
sheets if you require it.
condition. If you choose to try one of
these drugs, you will be asked to sign a
Dealing with the symptoms of loss of sexual desire in women
consent form at the clinic, to indicate
medication, you will be monitored in
that you understand that the drug is not
clinic, including having regular blood
currently licensed to treat HSDD and the
tests, to ensure that it is safe for you to
potential advantages and disadvantages
continue taking the testosterone and to
of the medication. More detailed leaflets
assess the effectiveness of the treatment
are available from the clinic for each of
for you.
the treatments mentioned.
Bupropion
Testosterone Therapy
Bupropion is a medication which is
Women naturally produce testosterone
currently used as an antidepressant in
from their ovaries and adrenal glands
the U.S.A and to help people stop
(which sit above the kidneys) throughout
smoking cigarettes here in the U.K.,
their reproductive lives and, although
however there is evidence to suggest
they produce much less testosterone
that it may increase sexual desire and
than men, this hormone is thought to
interest when taken by non depressed
play an important role in the desire for
women. It is thought to work by
sex (libido). Sometimes, if the amount of
increasing the levels of a chemical called
testosterone is at the lower range of
dopamine in the brain, which is one of
normal, this can be a factor in causing
the factors controlling the desire for
HSDD. The testosterone levels in the
sexual activity. There have been few side
blood will be measured at your first visit
effects reported in women taking this
to the clinic and, if they are found to be
drug, with the most common side effect
low, they will be repeated. Other tests
experienced being headache. Rarer side
will also be taken at this stage. You may
effects reported are insomnia, tremor
be offered treatment with testosterone
and rash. Bupropion has also been
replacement therapy. This is usually given
associated with seizures (fits), if taken by
as a gel applied onto the skin. The
people who are predisposed to them.
treatment
effects,
Therefore, you must tell your doctor if
including acne, oily skin and hair,
you have ever had a seizure before, if
deepening of the voice, increased
you are dependent on drugs or alcohol,
cholesterol levels and an increase in body
or if you have ever had an eating
hair. If you choose to have this
disorder or a tumour of the central
may
have
side
If you experience any problems - contact the clinic directly on 0114 271 6671
nervous system (the brain and the spinal
when
cord). Bupropion has been shown to be
example, blood clots in the legs (deep
effective in approximately half of all
vein thrombosis) or in the lungs
patients taking the drug in the treatment
(pulmonary embolism). There is also a
of HSDD.
slightly increased risk of breast cancer
taking
the
medication,
for
and strokes. Therefore, you should not
Tibolone
take HRT if you have ever had a blood
clot before, or if you have ever had a
Tibolone
belongs
to
a
group
of
stroke or a type of cancer which is
medications called hormone replacement
hormonally
therapy, or HRT. These medications are
effects reported include headache, skin
used in women who no longer produce
problems,
hormones naturally, typically after they
increased facial hair.
dependant.
breast
Other
tenderness
side
and
have gone through the menopause.
Tibolone is different to most other HRT
Other Agents
medications, as it does not contain
actual hormones. Instead, it contains a
Other agents which may be helpful
substance which the body breaks down,
include precursor androgens like DHEA,
to produce the hormones oestrogen,
yohimbine, apomorphine and certain
progesterone and testosterone. The
natural herbal extracts including L-
oestrogen which is produced may help
arginine, ginseng and ginkgo.
with vaginal dryness, as it increases
lubrication and blood flow in the genital
area. It may also help with other
symptoms of the menopause, for
example, hot flushes or night sweats.
The small amount of testosterone which
is produced may increase libido (desire
for sex). Tibolone can also help to
prevent brittle bones (osteoporosis). Like
other types of HRT, tibolone has some
side effects and risks. There is an
increased risk of blood clots in the veins
Written by KATE EDWARDS.
Approved by Kevan R Wylie for the
Porterbrook Clinic, Sheffield
© Porterbrook Clinic 2006
Treatment Options for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder In Women
NOTES
Treatment Options for Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder In Women
F1
© Porterbrook Clinic 2006