Frigidity (Lack of sexual desire)
Is it common
- An estimate of 20% of the general population do suffer from this problem.
- This problem is common in women.
What causes decreased sexual desire The sexual desire depends upon many factors such as
- Age
- Person’s self esteem
- Person’s sexual experiences
- Person’s understanding towards sex
- Person’s sexual and non sexual relationship with his / her partner.
- Interpersonal factors like marital discord (as a expression of hostility towards partner).
- Availability of time and space
- Presence of stress, anxiety, depression, etc.
- Fear of pregnancy
- Homosexual impulses can affect heterosexual desire.
- Prolonged abstinence from sex
- Presence of physical disability
- Smoking and alcoholism
- Certain medical condition like diabetes mellitus.
- Psychiatric conditions like, anxiety disorder, major depression, schizophrenia.
The problem
- Persons with this problem have no interest in sexual activity.
- Some may develop fear about sexual act and sexual organs.
- There is decrease in or absence of sexual fantasies or desire for sexual activity.
- There is decrease in frequency of intercourse.
- Women may complain of dryness of vagina.
- This may be situational i.e. one has decreased sexual desire with his or her regular partner or spouse.
- This causes significant distress to the patient.
- This may be associated with anxiety or depression.
What is the remedy
- First of all look out for any medical illness. Consult your family physician and feel free to discuss your sexual problems.
- Stop alcohol. Alcohol increases the sexual desire initially, but in the long term it affects the sexual life adversely.
- Some individuals have unrealistic expectations and they often complain of decreased sexual desire despite having perfectly normal sexual life.
- One should be aware of the fact that there is normal age related decrease in sexual desire
- Once the medical condition is excluded it is always advisable to look back into the other factors that affect the sexual desire such as stress, etc.
- Improve communication with your partner. Spend some more time with your spouse and try to express your sexual and non sexual problems openly.
- If the problem persists, feel free to consult your physician or a psychiatrist.
Whom to consult
- If the person is also suffering from any other medical illness (for example hypertension, liver disease, etc.) it is always best to visit a physician.
- In case the person has no medical illness it is always advisable to consult a psychiatrist.