Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)

Female Sexual Arousal Disorder Overview, Cause, Symptoms, Treatment, Medication

A failure of arousal and lubrication/swelling response. The main feature of female sexual arousal disorder is an inability to achieve and progress through the stages of "normal" female arousal.

Inability to attain or maintain until completion of sexual activity adequate lubrication in response to sexual excitement. Must result in significant distress and not better accounted for by another disorder or the use of a substance.

Diagnostic criteria for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder

1. Persistent or recurrent inability to attain, or to maintain until completion of the sexual activity, an adequate lubrication-swelling response of sexual excitement.
2. The disturbance causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.
3. The sexual dysfunction is not better accounted for by another mental disorder (except another sexual dysfunction) and is not due exclusively to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition.

Differential Diagnosis of Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)

Some disorders have similar or even the same symptoms. The clinician, therefore, in his/her diagnostic attempt has to differentiate against the following disorders which need to be ruled out to establish a precise diagnosis.

Inadequate Genital Stimulation.
Drug Abuse.

Treatment of Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)

Most of the treatments for sexual arousal disorders are still in the experimental stages, although a variety of products are being evaluated for their effectiveness in increasing blood flow to the genitalia and facilitating lubrication. Several vasodilator creams are being tested to measure their ability to improve sexual arousal. These creams work by expanding the arteries to increase blood flow to genital tissue. A number of oral medications are being investigated as well such as DHEA and yohimbine, dopamine agonists, and drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. These drugs work by promoting blood flow, stimulating certain components of the nervous system, or a combination of both. Because most of these studies are fairly recent (or ongoing), there is not yet an FDA-approved medication for female sexual arousal disorder.

Generally, once women seek the appropriate help they are quite likely to find a way to resolve their problems. Often, a holistic approach, using physical as well as emotional therapies, is required for success.

Please support this site by sharing this page with others:

  :: :: ::

© 2005, www.depression-guide.com. All rights reserved.

Site last updated: March 4, 2008

Female Sexual Arousal Disorder