Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions related to low sex drive in women:

Q: Is low sex drive in women the same as impotence in men?

A: No. Impotence in men refers to difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, a problem that may occur even if the man has a healthy sex drive and is able to become aroused.

Q: If I have low sex drive, does it mean that I'm frigid?

A: Frigidity is a negative term that is rarely used today, because it implies that a woman is "cold" and therefore somehow to blame for her lack of sexual interest. Instead, low sex drive refers to difficulty initiating sexual activity, or lack of sexual thoughts or feelings.

Q: Can antidepressants inhibit sex drive?

A: A lowered sex drive and difficulty achieving orgasm are two of the prominent side effects associated with anti-depressant medications. Before beginning any medication, ask your doctor if there are alternate methods to treat stress and depression, such as counseling, psychotherapy or stress-relieving activities such as yoga or massage. Or, ask the physician if it is all right for you to decrease your dosage until you have reached a balance between treating your condition and maintaining a healthy sex drive. The physician may also wish to prescribe an antidepressant that does not commonly inhibit sexual desire.

Q: Is Viagra an effective treatment?

A: Viagra is a relatively new medication that is primarily used to treat erectile dysfunction in men. There is currently no research to suggest that it is useful to women. Viagra does not increase desire; it only helps a man achieve erection.Viagra may actually be dangerous to women. So far, it has been responsible for at least 60 deaths in men, and doctors still do not know what type of effect it could have on a woman.

Q: Does sex drive decrease with age?

A: Women of any age may still enjoy sex, but after age 50, some women find it more difficult to become aroused. Menopause may affect the sex drive because the hormone estrogen is no longer produced, which can lead to dryness and thinning in the walls of the vagina. This can make sex uncomfortable, even painful. Hormone replacement therapy is one treatment found effective for restoring hormonal balance.