DRIVE THE DIALOGUE

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated because talking about sexual health can be uncomfortable1,2

Some OB/GYNs and PCPs are hesitant to initiate discussions about sexual health with their female patients due to embarrassment, fear of causing discomfort in the clinician-patient relationship, or underlying attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors regarding sexuality.3

Guide the conversation using the Decreased Sexual Desire Screener (DSDS). The DSDS is a simple,
5-question, validated screening tool used to diagnose HSDD.7

Download the DSDS

85% of women with low sexual desire sought help for distressing sexual problems from gynecologists (OB/GYNs) and primary care physicians. 57% of women who sought help for distressing sexual problems did so during a routine physical exam.
85% of women with low sexual desire sought help for distressing sexual problems from gynecologists (OB/GYNs) and primary care physicians. 57% of women who sought help for distressing sexual problems did so during a routine physical exam.


PRESIDE=Prevalence of Female Sexual Problems Associated with Distress and Determinants of Treatment.

*PRESIDE is a cross-sectional, population-based survey of 31,581 women aged 18 years and older in the United States. The purpose was to estimate the prevalence of self-reported sexual problems of desire, arousal, and orgasm, the prevalence of sexually related personal distress, and their combination, and to identify associated factors.

Her HSDD Story: Maddy, 39

Maddy feels like she’s failing because of her low sexual desire.

Tips for a productive conversation5

  • Relax and show you’re not embarrassed
  • Use simple, direct language and sexual terminology; avoid euphemisms and colloquial phrases
  • Use active listening, make eye contact, and mirror the patient’s posture
  • Ensure confidentiality
  • Avoid judgments and assumptions

Does your patient have HSDD?

Get a Screening Tool

References

References: 1. Kingsberg SA. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: understanding the impact on midlife women. Female Patient. 2011;36:1-4. 2. Parish SJ, Hahn SR. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a review of epidemiology, biopsychology, diagnosis, and treatment. Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(2):103-120. 3. Berman L, Berman J, Felder S, Pollets D, Chhabra S, Miles M, Powell JA. Seeking help for sexual function complaints: what gynecologists need to know about the female patient’s experience. Fertil and Steril. 2003;79(3):572-576. 4. Shifren JL, Johannes CB, Monz BU, Russo PA, Bennett L, Rosen R. Help-seeking behavior of women with self-reported distressing sexual problems. J Womens Health. 2009;18(4):461-468. 5. Tomlinson J. ABC of sexual health: taking a sexual history. BMJ. 1998;317(7172):1573-1576. 6. Sadovsky R, Alam W, Enecilla M, Cosiquien R, Tipu O, Etheridge-Otey J. Sexual problems among a specific population of minority women aged 40-80 years attending a primary care practice. J Sex Med. 2006;3(5):795-803. 7. Clayton AH, Goldfischer ER, Goldstein I, DeRogatis L, Lewis‐D’Agostino DJ, Pyke R. Validation of the decreased sexual desire screener (DSDS): a brief diagnostic instrument for generalized acquired female hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). J Sex Med. 2009;6(3):730-738.