Female Sexual Dysfunction

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2017 Jun;40(2):267-284. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2017.01.004. Epub 2017 Mar 25.

Abstract

Female sexual dysfunction can drastically diminish quality of life for many women. It is estimated that in the United States 40% of women have sexual complaints. These conditions are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. Terminology and classification systems of female sexual dysfunction can be confusing and complicated, which hampers the process of clinical diagnosis, making accurate diagnosis difficult. There are few treatment options available for female sexual dysfunctions, however, some interventions may be of benefit and are described. Additional treatments are in development. The development of clear clinical categories and diagnostic guidelines for female sexual dysfunction are of utmost importance and can be of great benefit for clinical and public health uses and disease-related research.

Keywords: Female sexual dysfunction; Female sexual pain disorder; Hypoactive sexual desire disorder; Sexual arousal disorder.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological* / diagnosis
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological* / drug therapy
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological* / epidemiology
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological* / therapy
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological* / diagnosis
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological* / drug therapy
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological* / epidemiology
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological* / therapy