Sexual Health Women’s Health

HSDD (low sex drive in women) treatment available today

If you're concerned about your low sex drive, a treatment approach aimed at the many causes behind Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) could be the solution. Recommendations may include medication and hormone therapy.*

Boost intimacy with personalized HSDD treatment HSDD can be cause by both physical and psychological factors Expert screening for HSDD

Book an appointment

Learn about Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), also known as female sexual interest/arousal disorder, is a sexual dysfunction that causes lower sex drive.

For women, sexual desires naturally fluctuate over time. High and low libido may happen throughout each menstrual cycle, with major life changes or stressors, and during health changes like pregnancy and menopause. If you're bothered by a low sex drive, treatment can help you improve your quality of life.

Low sex drive in women causes

In women, low sex drive can happen for a wide range of reasons—both physical and psychological. Some common reasons for decreased libido include:

Physical health conditions, such as urinary continence, thyroid problems, and multiple sclerosis
An imbalance of neurotransmitters (chemicals) in the brain
Certain medications, including medications for depression, anxiety, and hypertension
Relationship problems
Mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem

Low sex drive symptoms in women

While it's normal for desire to fluctuate, women with HSDD experience a lack of desire for six months or more. If your decreased sex drive affects your intimate relationships or self-esteem, you may have HSDD.

Common symptoms of HSDD include:

Decreased desire or interest in sex
Little to no interest in initiating sex
Difficulty experiencing pleasure from sex
Lack of pleasurable sensations

How to treat Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)

The first step to treating HSDD is to talk to your doctor. Once your doctor identifies any underlying conditions contributing to low libido, they can help you find an appropriate treatment. Some helpful treatments for HSDD include:

Counseling

If psychological factors are causing low libido, your doctor may recommend individual or relationship counseling. A therapist can help you identify better stress management strategies and improve your mental well-being.

Changing medications

Antidepressants—such as Paroxetine (Paxil) and fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem)—can lower libido. If your decreased sex drive is caused by medication, your doctor may suggest a prescription with fewer side effects.

Lifestyle changes

Exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, strengthening your relationship through couples sex therapy, and finding time for intimacy can help improve sexual health. Experimenting with sex toys, trying role-playing, or opening new doors in your sex life can also help boost libido.

Medications

Your doctor may recommend medications or hormone therapy to improve your symptoms, increase hormone levels, and combat low libido.

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) Medications

Depending on the underlying cause of your HSDD, your doctor may prescribe medications to improve libido. Effective medications include:

Flibanserin (Addyi):

Flibanserin can help increase the frequency of satisfying sexual experiences, such as sexual intercourse, oral sex, masturbation, or stimulation from a partner.

Bremelanotide (Vyleesi):

Bremelanotide is an injection that you can give yourself before sexual activity to increase your desire for sex.

*These medications aren't FDA-approved for use in postmenopausal women.

Hormone therapy**

Hormone therapies for HSDD include:

Testosterone: If you have a testosterone deficiency, your doctor may prescribe testosterone replacement therapy to help improve libido.
Prasterone (Intrarosa): Prasterone, a vaginal insert, sends dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) to the vagina to ease painful sex.
Ospemifene (Osphena): Ospemifene can help relieve painful sex in women.

**If hormonal therapy is a consideration from our physicians, they will refer you to an in-person specialist such as a gynecologist. These medications require specialist guidance and management for patient safety and successful treatment.

How to cope with low sex drive

Low sexual desire can take a toll on your quality of life. It's normal to feel frustrated if you're experiencing low libido, but lifestyle changes can help you find healthy ways to cope:

Try Kegel exercises to increase blood flow to your genitals.
Talk to your partner about your sexual desires, consider sex therapy or general couples therapy to strengthen the relationship.
Masturbate with vibrators or other sex toys to tune into your body.
Reduce stress by getting more sleep, meditating, and deep breathing.
Limit your alcohol consumption and stop smoking.

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) treatment FAQs

Why is my sex drive low?

It's normal for sex drive to fluctuate over time, and low libido can stem from several physical and mental health factors. Some common causes of decreased libido include:

Stress, anxiety, or depression
Sexual problems, such as vaginal dryness
Chronic health conditions, such as heart disease
Pregnancy and menopause
Taking certain medications

How can I increase my sex drive?

Healthy lifestyle changes can help improve sexual function and desire:

Get regular exercise
Communicate with your partner
Eat a nutritious diet
Find healthy stress management strategies
Experiment with new sex techniques and masturbation

How do you test for hypoactive sexual desire?

If you think you have HSDD, talk to your doctor. Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and sexual health to identify the underlying cause of HSDD. They may also:

Recommend testing for low hormone levels, thyroid problems, and other health issues
Refer you to a specialist, such a gynecologist, a mental health therapist or sex therapist

Who is affected by hypoactive sexual desire disorder?

HSDD can affect both men and women. People of any gender, age, and sexuality can experience a loss of sex drive. However, low libido is more common in women than men.

Step 1

Book a Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) treatment appointment.

Book a same day appointment from anywhere.

Step 2

Talk to your medical provider regarding your Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) symptoms.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.

Step 3

Pick up a prescription to treat your low sex drive, if prescribed by your doctor.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy or by mail.

30 days of free membership

Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime

Paying with insurance

Membership

$19.99

First month free

Visits

Copay

Visit price with insurance

Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!

We accept these insurance plans and many more:

humana aetna cigna logo background

Paying without insurance