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Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) is a medical condition that’s marked by a persistent absence or deficiency of sexual desire and sexual fantasies.
This sexual dysfunction is prevalent in premenopausal women, but it’s also found in men as MHSDD. It commonly manifests as absent responsive cues to sexual stimulation.
Erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory problems are also common markers of men suffering from MHSDD.
People with HSDD face a significant amount of distress, and they can experience a wide range of negative feelings, including loss, frustration, grief, sadness, and stress.
While low libido can be a precursor for HSDD, these two conditions are not the same. The main difference is that patients with HSDD feel distressed feel personal distress over their lack of sexual desire.
Let’s learn more about what hypoactive sexual desire disorder is, potential risk factors and causes, symptoms, and treatment plans to help manage the symptoms of this condition.
What is Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder?
Male HSDD is a male sexual dysfunction where the presence of low libido causes significant distress. This disorder is a separate disorder from HSDD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR).
In previous versions of the publication, the term HSDD was not gender-specific and was applied to men and women. This changed in the 5th edition, DSM-5, where male hypoactive sexual desire disorder (MHSDD) was only applicable to men, whereas HSDD was only applicable to women.
Aside from the gender-specific changes, there have been no substantial changes to the diagnostic criteria of this disorder in the DSM-5. However, one minor modification has been noted: this condition now has a more specific time marker; symptoms must be present and persistent for at least 6 months before a diagnosis can be made.
Besides that, MHSDD can be marked as lifelong versus acquired, and generalized versus situational.
Lifelong and acquired MHSDD are differentiated by whether or not the symptoms have been present since birth or developed after a particular event or time in life.
On the other hand, generalized MHSDD refers to when symptoms are present in most circumstances, while situational MHSDD occurs only in specific situations (like after a traumatic event) or with certain people.
With about 3% of the male population suffering from MHSDD, and many more left undiagnosed, large-scale medical intervention is needed to uplift men’s sexual health. If you suspect that you have symptoms, contact a doctor for treatment.
Symptoms of Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
While symptoms of low libido and MHSDD can overlap, there are a few key differences that set them apart.
Here are the symptoms you have to look out for in identifying whether you have MHSDD or not:
- Absence of sexual excitement and spontaneous desire
- A sexual aversion disorder, particularly towards sexual activity
- The absence of sexual thoughts
- Diminished sexual desire and low libido
- Feeling distressed about your lack of sexual interest
- Experiencing low sex drive symptoms for over six months
Coping with these symptoms is best done with medical supervision, contact a doctor to improve your sexual relationship.
Causes of Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
Sexual desire is not entirely straightforward. People can experience fluctuating sexual interest throughout their lifetime, and this degree of sexual interest can vary from person to person.
However, there are some causes for MHSDD that have been discovered by doctors and medical professionals over the years. These include:
- Stress: When the body undergoes too much stress, it ramps up its production of cortisol and produces less testosterone, thereby reducing sexual arousal.
- Anxiety: Just like stress, anxiety can increase cortisol levels in your body. This can lead to sexual dysfunction such as decreased sexual desire.
- Sexual Abuse: Sexual trauma from abuse and abusive relationships can lead to men developing sexual desire disorders.
- Medications: Some medications can inadvertently cause sexual dysfunction and low libido. A few examples include antidepressants and SSRIs.
- Underlying Health Conditions: Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and depression may cause or worsen hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
- Aging: The older you are, the higher the chances of you developing health conditions that affect your sexual function.
Treatment Options for HSDD in Men
HSDD is frustrating for both you and your partner. But it can be managed. The best course of action is to talk to a healthcare provider first. They’ll be able to provide you with actionable steps to treat or manage your condition.
A sexual health expert and psychotherapist are doctors that can help treat symptoms of HSDD. They’ll examine and identify your condition and prescribe you treatment plans depending on your circumstances.
There’s no single cure for HSDD, as this disorder can stem from underlying health conditions that would need to be addressed first.
Here is the common treatment plans a doctor may prescribe to a patient with HSDD or MHSDD:
Medication
There are a few medications that have been FDA-approved to treat HSDD. Your doctor may prescribe one of these drugs if they feel it’s the best course of action for you. The most common ones include:
- Addyi: A drug specifically used to treat hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
- Bupropion: an antidepressant that can also treat HSDD.
- Testosterone: Hormone therapy treatment that balances the reproductive hormones.
Many of these medications need a prescription. It’s also good to be careful of your dosage, as these medications can come with side effects that may exacerbate symptoms.
Psychotherapy Treatment
Psychotherapy and sex therapy identify and address the mental and psychological aspects that contribute to low libido.
A sex therapist is a professional who can help both you and your partner understand the root of your low libido. They’ll provide education and counseling services to improve your sexual relationship relating to mismatched sex drives and how to overcome these challenges.
Lifestyle Changes
Making small changes to your lifestyle can have a big impact on your sexual health.
Some lifestyle changes to consider include:
- Explore sex toys: Sexual exploration can be a beneficial way of making sex feel good again.
- Get in touch with a loved one: Having a lending ear close by can help you overcome your struggles and distress.
- Avoid harmful substances: Alcohol, cigarettes, and nicotine all have negative effects on one’s sexual health. Avoid them.
- Sleep more: Sleeping more hours every night can improve libido levels the next day.
Consult a Men’s Health Center for Guidance to Treat HSDD and Low Sex Drive
Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is a distressing condition—but learning about it is the first step toward treating it.
If you’re struggling with this disorder, or are having issues with erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE), contact the team at Premier Men’s Medical Center now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with their experienced and specially trained medical staff. We are Orlando’s leading men’s clinic providing ED therapy, PE therapy, Acoustic Wave therapy, low testosterone therapy, and much more.
