Hypoactive sexual desire disorder

Key content• Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is the persistent or recurrent deficiency and/or absence of sexual thought/fantasies and/or receptivity to sexual activity, which causes distress or interpersonal difficulties. • Sexual desire is a complex issue involving physical drive and motivation; the latter is influenced by previous experiences and the quality and duration of the relationship. • HSDD frequently occurs in women who have had oophorectomy because a significant source of their testosterone has been removed. They may respond to androgen replacement therapy.Learning objectives• To raise awareness of the effect that oophorectomy can have on sexual function. • To acknowledge that sexual function is complex and involves biological, psychological, relationship and socio‐cultural factors.Ethical issues• Should clinicians raise the subject of sexual problems more routinely? • Is the treatment of sexual dysfunction an appropriate use of health service resources? • Can the pharmacological treatment of HSDD lead to the medicalisation of female sexuality?Please cite this article as: Rymer J, Wylie K, Barnes T, Mander A, Buckler H, Dean J. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2010;12:237–243.