Sexual arousal disorder is characterized by a lack or absence of sexual fantasies and desire for sexual activity in a situation that would normally produce sexual arousal, or the inability to attain or maintain typical responses to sexual arousal. The disorder is found in the DSM-IV.[1] The condition should not be confused with a sexual desire disorder.
This may be caused by a mental disorder, such as depression, drug use, or some other medical condition, or some form of malnourishment in the person's diet. The lack of sexual arousal may be due to a general lack of sexual desire or due to a lack of sexual desire for the current partner. A person may always have had no or low sexual desire or the lack of desire may have been acquired during the person's life.
The term is often used in the diagnosis of women, while the term erectile dysfunction (ED) is often used for men.
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In women, the symptoms of the disorder include:
Contrary to popular belief, the disorder is not always caused from a lack of sexual arousal. Possible causes of the disorder include psychological and emotional factors, such as depression, anger, and stress; relationship factors, such as conflict or lack of trust; and medical factors, such as depleted hormones, reduced regional blood flow, and nerve damage.
A psychologist will firstly consider any psychological or emotional problems; while a sex therapist will examine relationship issues; after which a medical doctor will investigate medical causes for the disorder.
Depending on the cause of the disorder, hormone therapy or a blood-flow enhancing medication, like Viagra, may be appropriate.
Bremelanotide (formerly PT-141) was used in clinical tests until 2007 to increase sexual desire in both men and women. Testing ceased due to adverse effects to the cardiovascular system.
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