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



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?
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.