Causes and risk factors
Common causes for low sex drive in women are pregnancy, lactation and menopause. Other causes include physical or psychological. Physical causes include lax pelvic musculature, local vaginal infections, UTI, episiotomy surgery; medical conditions like malignancy, diabetes, kidney disorders, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, hormonal imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, alcoholism, drug abuse, medications like anti depressants. Other Psychological causes include stress, overexposure to pornography, gender identity, and childhood sexual abuse. Various relationship problems are also cause of low sex drive in women.
Clinical presentation
The female is not able to fully and pleasurably experience the stages of sexual activity. The female complaints of absence of arousal, no desire for sex due to lack of interest in sex, no sexual fantasies or thoughts, or boredom of sexual routine, lack of enthusiasm, if one is unable to experience orgasm, pain during sexual intercourse, painful involuntary spasm of muscles surrounding vagina, [vaginismus], sexual phobia.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. A gynaecologist may perform a pelvic exam, Pap smear test to rule out cancer or pre cancerous condition. Routine blood Investigations to find the underlying cause may be done.
Treatment
In case of underlying physical cause if any, medications include hormonal therapy, use of a local lubricant in case of dryness of vagina. Treating the underlying cause is essential. Doctor may advise some pelvic floor exercises or kegel exercises for muscle strengthening and tightening. In most cases counselling by a sex therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist plays an important role. Counselling includes that of the patient as well as the partner. Stress in relationships and mental trauma can be overcome by psychotherapy.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating low sex drive in women . Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating low sex drive in women.
