Clinical management of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women.

Abstract

Approximately 10% to 12% of women meet the criteria for hypoactive sexual desire disorder, with the highest prevalence in midlife women, ranging from 14.5% to 33%. Despite the negative effect on health and quality of life, most women are reluctant to discuss sexual concerns with healthcare professionals. Although healthcare professionals have the best opportunities to address these problems, most of them have limited awareness, education, and comfort about addressing sexual concerns, resulting in a conspiracy of silence. The purpose of this Practice Pearl is to improve the understanding of hypoactive sexual desire disorder, including symptoms, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.