Female sexual dysfunction women have ‘different brains’

Women with female sexual dysfunction have ‘different brains’, according to new research.

Researchers from Wayne State University in Detroit found that parts of a woman’s brain which usually light up when they think about sex did not light up for women with female sexual dysfunction.

Experts say the findings confirm what many doctors had suspected: that female sexual dysfunction, also known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder, is rooted in physical and not just psychological factors.

Many critics have slammed calls for a ‘female Viagra’ to treat female sexual dysfunction, because they say women’s libido problems are caused by emotional and mental issues. Examples they give include relationship problems, stress at work and a poor diet. However, other doctors have suggested that female sexual dysfunction may stem from physical causes too – particularly hormonal changes in the body.

Wayne State University's department member of obstetrics and gynaecology, Dr. Diamond explains: "Being able to identify physiological changes, to me provides significant evidence that HSDD is a true disorder as opposed to a societal construct."

Debate about whether female sexual dysfunction is a real disease or not has raged to the point where a film – called Orgasm Inc – has been made on the topic. In this documentary, filmmaker Liz Canning speaks to drug company workers as they race to create a female Viagra, and asks viewers the question, is FSD just a made-up disease?

Research and debate will continue on this area. Health experts have warned that we should not draw any conclusions yet.

While the wait for female Viagra continues, one treatment, Intrinsa patches, have helped some women to boost their sex drives. Intrinsa patches work by infusing testosterone into the body, gradually restoring the natural balance of sex hormones.