Disorders in sexual desire and sexual arousal in women, a 2010 state of the art

Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology

Volumn 31, Issue 4, 2010, Pages 207-218

  Both, Stephanie ^a   Laan, Ellen ^b   Schultz, Willibrord Weijmar ^c  

^a LEIDEN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER   (Netherlands)

^b ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER   (Netherlands)

^c UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER GRONINGEN   (Netherlands)

Author keywords

androgens; oestrogens; psychological factors; relational context; sexual arousal; Sexual desire; sexual response models; treatment options

Indexed keywords

ANDROGEN; ESTROGEN; TESTOSTERONE; TIBOLONE;

ADULT; ANAMNESIS; COGNITION; FEMALE; FEMALE SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION; HORMONAL THERAPY; HUMAN; INCIDENCE; LABORATORY TEST; MOOD; NYMPHOMANIA; PHYSICAL EXAMINATION; PREVALENCE; PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT; PSYCHOTHERAPY; REVIEW; SEXUAL AROUSAL; SEXUAL AROUSAL DISORDER;

CHRONIC DISEASE; COGNITIVE THERAPY; CONDITIONING, CLASSICAL; EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE; FEMALE; GONADAL STEROID HORMONES; HUMANS; INTERVIEW, PSYCHOLOGICAL; MALE; MODELS, PSYCHOLOGICAL; PATIENT EDUCATION AS TOPIC; PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS; SEXUAL BEHAVIOR; SEXUAL DYSFUNCTIONS, PSYCHOLOGICAL; SEXUAL PARTNERS; VAGINAL DISEASES;

EID: 78249235340     PISSN: 0167482X     EISSN: 17438942     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.3109/0167482X.2010.528628     Document Type: Review

References (97)

1. Association AP. Diagnostic and statistical manual ofmental disorders 4th ed. text rev. Washington DC: Association AP; 2000.
2. Baumeister RF, Catanese KR, Vohs KD. Is there a gender difference in strength of sex drive? Theoretical views, conceptual distinctions, and a review of relevant evidence. Personal Soc Psychol Rev 2001;5:242-273.
3. Laan E, Everaerd W, Both S. Female sexual arousal disorders. In: Balon R, Segraves RT, editors. Handbook of sexual dysfunction. Boca Raton: Taylor and Francis; 2005. pp 123-154.
4. Basson R, Leiblum S, Brotto L, Derogatis L, FourcroyJ, Fugl-Meyer K, Graziottin A, Heiman JR, Laan E, Meston C, et al. Definitions of women's sexual dysfunction reconsidered: Advocating expansion and revision. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 2003;24:221-229.
5. Leiblum SR, Nathan SG. Persistent sexual arousal syndrome: a newly discovered pattern of female sexuality. J Sex Marital Ther 2001;27:365-380.
6. West SL, D'Aloisio AA, Agans RP, Kalsbeek WD, Borisov NN, Thorp JM. Prevalence of low sexual desire and hypoactive sexual desire disorder in a nationally representative sample of US women. Arch Intern Med 2008;168:1441-1449.
7. Witting K, Santtila P, Varjonen M, Jern P, Johansson A, von der Pahlen B, Sandnabba K. Female sexual dysfunction, sexual distress, and compatibility with partner. J Sex Med 2008;5:2587-2599.
8. Shifren JL, Monz BU, Russo PA, Segreti A, Johannes CB. Sexual problems and distress in United States women: prevalence and correlates. Obstet Gynecol 2008;112:970-978.
9. Bancroft J, Loftus J, Long JS. Distress about sex: a national survey of women in heterosexual relationships. Arch Sex Behav 2003;32:193-208.
10. Segraves K, Segraves RT. Hypoactive sexual desire disorder: prevalence and comorbidity in 906 subjects. J Sex Marital Ther 1991;17:55-58.
11. Masters WH, Johnson VE. Human sexual inadequacy. 1970, Boston: Little, Brown.
12. Kaplan HS. Hypoactive sexual desire. J Sex Marital Ther 1977;3:3-9.
13. Basson R. Using a different model for female sexual response to address women's problematic low sexual desire. J Sex Marital Ther 2001;27:395-403.
14. Both S, Everaerd W, Laan E. Desire emerges from excitement: a psychophysiological perspective on sexual motivation, In Janssen E, editor. The psychophysiology of sex. Blooming-ton: Indiana University Press; 2007. pp 327-339.
15. Everaerd W, Laan E. Desire for passion: energetics ofsexual response. J Sex Marital Ther 1995;21:255-263.
16. Meston CM, Buss DM. Why humans have sex. Arch Sex Behav 2007;36:477-507.
17. Janssen E, Everaerd W, Spiering M, Janssen J. Automatic processes and the appraisal of sexual stimuli: toward an information processing model of sexual arousal. J Sex Res 2000;37:8-23.
18. Barlow DH. Causes ofsexual dysfunction: the role ofanxiety and cognitive interference. J Consult Clin Psychol 1986;54:140-148.
19. Davis SR, Guay AT, Shifren JL, Mazer NA. Endocrine aspects offemale sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med 2004;1:82-86.
20. Simon JA. Estrogen replacement therapy: effects on the endogenous androgen milieu. Fertil Steril 2002;77(Suppl. 4):S77-S82.
21. Davis SR, Davison SL, Donath S, Bell RJ. Circulating androgen levels and self-reported sexual function in women. JAMA 2005;294:91-96. (Pubitemid 41002843)
22. Lobo RA. Androgens in postmenopausal women: production, possible role, and replacement options. Obstet Gynecol Surv 2001;56:361-376.
23. Labrie F, Belanger A, Belanger P, Berube R, Martel C, Cusan L, Gomez J, Candas B, Castiel I, Chaussade V, et al. Androgen glucuronides, instead of testosterone, as the new markers of androgenic activity in women. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2006;99:182-188.
24. Buckler H. The menopause transition: endocrine changes and clinical symptoms. J Br Menopause Soc 2005;11:61-65.
25. Laan E, Van Lunsen RHW. Hormones and sexuality in postmenopausal women: a psychophysiological study. J Psychosom Obstet Gynecol 1997;18:126-133.
26. Pieterse QD, Ter Kuile MM, Deruiter MC, Trimbos JB, Kenter GG, Maas CP. Vaginal blood flow after radical hysterectomy with and without nerve sparing. A preliminary report. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2008;18:576-583.
27. Riley A, Riley E. Controlled studies on women presenting with sexual drive disorder: I. Endocrine status. J Sex Marital Ther 2000; 26: 269-283.
28. Turna B, Apaydin E, Semerci B, Altay B, Cikili N, Nazli O. Women with low libido: correlation of decreased androgen levels with female sexual function index. Int J Impot Res 2004;17:148-153.
29. Alexander JL, Dennerstein L, Burger H, Graziottin A. Testosterone and libido in surgically and naturally menopau-sal women. Womens Health (Lond Engl) 2006;2:459-477.
30. Gerber JR, Johnson JV, Bunn JY, O'Brien SL. A longitudinal study ofthe effects offree testosterone and other psychosocial variables on sexual function during the natural traverse of menopause. Fertil Steril 2005;83:643-648.
31. Davison SL, Bell R, Donath S, Montalto JG, Davis SR. Androgen levels in adult females: changes with age, meno-pause, and oophorectomy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005;90:3847-3853.
32. Bachmann G, Bancroft J, Braunstein G, Burger H, Davis S, Dennerstein L, Goldstein I, Guay A, Leiblum S, Lobo R, et al. Female androgen insufficiency: the Princeton consensus statement on definition, classification, and assessment. Fertil Steril 2002;77:660-665.
33. Shifren JL, Braunstein GD, Simon JA, Casson PR, BusterJE, Redmond GP, Burki RE, Ginsburg ES, Rosen RC, Leiblum SR, Caramelli KE, Mazer NA. Transdermal testosterone treatment in women with impaired sexual function after oophorectomy. New Engl J Med 2000;343:682-688.
34. Braunstein GD, Sundwall DA, Katz M, Shifren JL, BusterJE, Simon JA, Bachman G, Aguirre OA, Lucas JD, Rodenberg C, Buch A, Watts NB. Safety and efficacy of a testosterone patch for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in surgically menopausal women: a randomized, placebo-con-trolled trial. Arch Intern Med 2005;165:1582-1589.
35. Davis SR, van der Mooren MJ, van Lunsen RH, Lopes P, Ribot C, Rees M, Moufarege A, Rodenberg C, Buch A, Purdie DW. Efficacy and safety of a testosterone patch for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in surgically menopausal women: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Menopause 2006;13:387-396.
36. Shifren JL, Davis SR, Moreau M, Waldbaum A, Bouchard C, DeRogatis L, Derzko C, Bearnson P, Kakos N, O'Neill S, et al. Testosterone patch for the treatment ofhypoactive sexual desire disorder in naturally menopausal women: results from the intimate nm1 study. Menopause 2006;13:770-779.
37. Schwenkhagen A, Studd J. Role of testosterone in the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Maturitas 2009;63:152-159.
38. Tuiten A, van HJ, Koppeschaar H, Bernaards C, Thijssen J, Verbaten R. Time course of effects of testosterone adminis-tration on sexual arousal in women. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2000;57:149-153.
39. Tuiten, A, van Honk J, Verbaten R, Laan E, Everaerd W. Can sublingual testosterone increase subjective and physiological measures of laboratory induced sexual arousal? Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002;5:465-466.
40. Heard-Davison A, Heiman JR, Kuffel S. Genital and subjective measurement of the time course effects of an acute dose oftestosterone vs. placebo in postmenopausal women. J Sex Med 2007;4:209-217.
41. Archer JS, Love-Geffen TE, Herbst-Damm KL, Swinney DA, & Chang JR. Effect of estradiol versus estradiol and testosterone on brain-activation patterns in postmenopausal women. Menopause 2006;13:528-537.
42. Rees PM, Fowler CJ, Maas CP. Sexual function in men and women with neurological disorders. Lancet 2007;369:512-525.
43. Bhasin S, Enzlin P, Coviello A, Basson R. Sexual dysfunction in men and women with endocrine disorders. Lancet 2007;369:597-611.
44. Basson R, Schultz WW. Sexual sequelae of general medical disorders. Lancet 2007;369:409-424.
45. Sipski ML. Sexual function in women with neurologic disorders. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2001;12:79-90.
46. Wincze JP, Albert A, Bansal S. Sexual arousal in diabetic females: physiological and self-report measures. Arch Sex Behav 1993;22:587-601.
47. Meston CM, Frohlich PF. The neurobiology of sexual function. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2000;57:1012-1030.
48. Serretti A, Chiesa A. Treatment-emergent sexual dysfunction related to antidepressants: a meta-analysis. J Clin Psycho-pharmacol 2009;29:259-266.
49. Laan, E, van Lunsen RHW, Everaerd W, Riley A, Scott E, Boolell M. The enhancement of vaginal vasocongestion by sildenafil in healthy premenopausal women. J Womens Health Gend Base Med 2002;11:357-365.
50. Basson R, Brotto LA. Sexual psychophysiology and effects of sildenafil citrate in oestrogenised women with acquired genital arousal disorder and impaired orgasm: a randomised con-trolled trial. BJOG 2003;110:1014-1024.
51. Basson R, McInnes R, Smith MD, Hodgson G, Koppiker N. Efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in women with sexual dysfunction associated with female sexual arousal disorder. J Womens Health Gend Base Med 2002;11:367-377.
52. Berman JR, Berman LA, Toler SM, Gill J, Haughie S. Safety and efficacy of sildenafil citrate for the treatment of female sexual arousal disorder: a double-blind, placebo controlled study. J Urol 2003;170:2333-2338.
53. Caruso S, Intelisano G, Farina MDiML, Agnello C. The function of sildenafil on female sexual pathways: a double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2003;110:201-206.
54. Caruso S, Intelisano G, Lupo L, Di ML & Agnello C. Premenopausal women affected by sexual arousal disorder treated with sildenafil: a double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled study. BJOG 2001;108:623-628.
55. Made F van der, Bloemers J, Yassem WE, Kleiverda G, Everaerd W, van, H. D. et al. The influence oftestosterone combined with a PDE5-inhibitor on cognitive, affective, and physiological sexual functioning in women suffering from sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med 2009;6:777-790.
56. Sipski ML, Rosen RC, Alexander CJ, Hamer RM. Sildenafil effects on sexual and cardiovascular responses in women with spinal cord injury. Urology 2000;55:812-815.
57. Caruso S, Rugolo S, Agnello C, Intelisano G, Di ML, Cianci A. Sildenafil improves sexual functioning in premenopausal women with type 1 diabetes who are affected by sexual arousal disorder: a double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled pilot study. Fertil Steril 2006;85:1496-1501.
58. Nurnberg HG, Hensley PL, Heiman JR, Croft HA, Debattista C, Paine S. Sildenafil treatment of women with antidepres-sant-associated sexual dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2008;300:395-404.
59. Laan E, van Driel EM, van Lunsen RH. Genital responsive-ness in healthy women with and without sexual arousal disorder. J Sex Med 2008;5:1424-1435.
60. Meuwissen I, Over R. Habituation and dishabituation of female sexual arousal. BehavRes Ther 1990;28:217-226.
61. Both S, Laan E, Everaerd W. Focusing "hot" or focusing "cool": attentional mechanisms in sexual arousal in men and women. J Sex Med 2010, doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010. 02051x.
62. Klusmann D. Sexual motivation and the duration ofpartner-ship. Arch Sex Behav 2002;31:275-287.
63. Avis NE, Zhao X, Johannes CB, Ory M, Brockwell S, Greendale GA. Correlates of sexual function among multi-ethnic middle-aged women: results from the study ofwomen's health across the nation (swan). Menopause 2005;12:385-398.
64. Agmo A. Sexual motivation-an inquiry into events determining the occurrence of sexual behavior. Behav Brain Res 1999;105:129-150.
65. Both S, Laan E, Spiering M, Nilsson T, Oomens S, Everaerd W. Appetitive and aversive classical conditioning of female sexual response. J Sex Med 2008;5:1386-1401.
66. Hoffmann H, Janssen E, Turner SL. Classical conditioning of sexual arousal in women and men: effects ofvarying awareness and biological relevance ofthe conditioned stimulus. Arch Sex Behav 2004;33:43-53.
67. Brauer M, van Leeuwen M, Janssen E, Hahn S, Heiman J, Laan E. Automatic affective associations with sexual stimuli in US and Dutch women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, in press.
68. Nobre PJ, Pinto-Gouveia J. Cognitive schemas associated with negative sexual events: a comparison of men and women with and without sexual dysfunction. Arch Sex Behav 2009;38:842-851.
69. Hartmann U, Heiser K, Ruffer-Hesse C, Kloth G. Female sexual desire disorders: subtypes, classification, personality factors and new directions for treatment. World J Urol 2002;20:79-88.
70. Schreiner-Engel P, Schiavi RC. Lifetime psychopathology in individuals with low sexual desire. J Nerv Ment Dis 1986;174:646-651.
71. Lykins AD, Janssen E, Graham CA. The relationship between negative mood and sexuality in heterosexual college woman and men. J Sex Res 2006;43:136-143.
72. Kuffel SW, Heiman JR. Effects of depressive symptoms and experimentally adopted schemas on sexual arousal and affect in sexually healthy women. Arch Sex Behav 2006;35:163-177.
73. Middleton LS, Kuffel SW, Heiman JR. Effects ofexperimen-tally adopted sexual schemas on vaginal response and subjective sexual arousal: a comparison between women with sexual arousal disorder and sexually healthy women. Arch Sex Behav 2008;37:950-961.
74. Ter Kuile MM, Vigeveno D, Laan E. Preliminary evidence that acute and chronic daily psychological stress affect sexual arousal in sexually functional women. Behav Res Ther 2007;45:2078-2089.
75. Ter Kuile MM, Both S, van Uden J. The effects of experimentally induced sad and happy mood on sexual arousal in sexually healthy women. J Sex Med 2010;7:117-184.
76. Brauer M, ter Kuile MM, Janssen SA, Laan E. The effect of pain-related fear on sexual arousal in women with superficial dyspareunia. Eur J Pain 2007;11:788-798.
77. Palace EM, Gorzalka BB. The enhancing effects ofanxiety on arousal in sexually dysfunctional and functional women. J AbnormPsychol 1990;99:403-411.
78. Dove NL, Wiederman MW. Cognitive distraction and women's sexual functioning. J Sex Marital Ther 2000;26: 67-78.
79. Salemink E, van Lankveld JJDM. The effects of increasing neutral distraction on sexual responding in women with and without sexual problems. Arch Sex Behav 2006;35:179-190.
80. McCall KM, Meston CM. The effects of false positive and false negative physiological feedback on sexual arousal: a comparison of women with or without sexual arousal disorder. Arch Sex Behav 2007;36:518-530.
81. Dennerstein L, Hayes R, Sand M, Lehert P. Attitudes toward and frequency ofpartner interactions among women reporting decreased sexual desire. J Sex Med 2009;6:1668-1673.
82. Impett EA, Peplau LA. Sexual compliance: gender, motiva-tional, and relationship perspectives. J Sex Res 2003;40:87-100.
83. Impett EA, Strachman A, Finkel EJ, Gable SL. Maintaining sexual desire in intimate relationships: The importance of approach goals. J Pers Soc Psychol 2008;94:808-823.
84. Schnarch DM. Passionate marriage. Love, sex and intimacy in emotional committed relationships. New York: Norton & Company; 1997.
85. Kuile MM ter, Both S, van Lankveld J Sexual dysfunctions in women, In: Sturmey P, Hersen M, editors. Handbook of evidence-based practice in clinical psychology Vol. II: Adult disorders. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons; 2011.
86. Hurlbert DF, White LC, Powell RD, Apt C. Orgasm consistency training in the treatment of women reporting hypoactive sexual desire: an outcome comparison ofwomen-only groups and couples-only groups. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 1993;24:3-13.
87. Hurlbert DF. A comparative study using orgasm consistency training in the treatment of women reporting hypoactive sexual desire. J Sex Marital Ther 1993;19:41-55.
88. Trudel G, Marchand A, Ravart M, Aubin S, Turgeon L, Fortier P. The effect of a cognitive-behavioral group treatment program on hypoactive sexual desire in women. Sex Relation Ther 2001;16:145-164.
89. Hurlbert DF, Apt C. The coital alignment technique and directed masturbation; a comparative study on femal orgasm. J Sex Marital Ther 1995;21:21-29.
90. Laan E, Van Lunsen RH, Everaerd W. The effects oftibolone on vaginal blood flow, sexual desire and arousability in postmenopausal women. Climacteric 2001;4:28-41.
91. Nijland EA, Weijmar Schultz WC, Nathorst-Boos J, Helmond FA, Van Lunsen RH, Palacios S, Norman RJ, Mulder RJ, Davis SR. Tibolone and transdermal e2/neta for the treatment offemale sexual dysfunction in naturally menopausal women: results of a randomized active-controlled trial. J Sex Med 2008;5:646-656.
92. Peters AAW, Van Seumeren EGC, Van Lunsen HW, Both S, Goverde AJ, Leusink PM, et al. Vrouwelijke seksuele functiestoornissen na de iatrogene menopauze. Oorzaken, diagnostiek en behandelmogelijkheden. Ned T v Obstet Gynaecol 2007;7:10-15.
93. Basson R, Mcinnes R, Smith MD, Hodgson G, Koppiker N. Efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in woman with sexual dysfunction associated with female sexual arousal disorder. J Women's Health and Gend Base Med 2002;11:1-30.
94. Caruso S, Rugolo S, Agnello C, Intelisano G, Di Mari L, Cianci A. Sildenafil improves sexual functioning in premenopausal women with type 1 diabetes who are affected by sexual arousal disorder: A double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled pilot study. Fertil Steril 2006;85:1496-1501.
95. Sipski ML, Rosen RC, Alexander CJ, Hamer RM. Sildenafil effects on sexual and cardiovascular responses in women with spinal cord injury. Urology 2000;55:812-815.
96. Nurnberg HG, Hensley PL, Heiman JR, Croft HA, Debattista C, Paine S. Sildenafil treatment of women with antidepres-sant-associated sexual dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2008;300:395-404.
97. Annon J. Behavorial treatment of sexual problems, 2 vols. New York: Harper & Row, Medical Department; 1976.