Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder - entity and therapeutic approaches: An overview

Abstract

Introduction: Sexuality is a very important part of the human life and nature. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is the most common form of female sexual dysfunction, especially among pre-menopausal women. The purpose of this review is to outline an overview of female sexual dysfunctions, particularly regarding HSDD, its pathophysiological mechanisms and the existing treatment approaches for this disorder, with special focus on the only drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of this disease. Methods: Non-systematic review of literature through PubMed search, using the key words “Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder” and “Flibanserin”. Inclusion of some articles selected from the references of the previously chosen literature. Search of other relevant information from FDA website, press releases, prescribing information from the manufacturer and published books on the subject. Results: Sexual desire seems to be controlled by an equilibrium of inhibitory and excitatory factors of hormonal, neurobiological and psychological nature, and an imbalance between these factors seems to be at the origin of the development of pathological states. HSDD is currently the unique female sexual disorder to have a drug approved by FDA for its treatment in premenopausal women: flibanserin. The journey of flibanserin until the moment of its approval by FDA was very long and complex. In the absence of more therapeutic approaches approved by FDA, many drugs are being used “off label” to treat sexual dysfunctions, sometimes dangerously since its use is not regulated for these purposes. Discussion and Conclusion: There is a long path to be covered in what concerns not only our knowledge on the great complexity of female sexual dysfunctions but also therapeutic weapons to treat them.

Keywords

• Female sexual dysfunction
• Hypoactive sexual desire disorder
• Flibanserin
• Treatment