Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD)

A psychiatric condition affecting females characterized by a persistent lack of sexual desire and/or the inability to feel physically aroused or excited during sexual activity.

Female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD) is a type of sexual dysfunction affecting females in which they experience a lack of desire for sexual activity over a prolonged period and/or an inability to become physically aroused or excited during sexual activity.

Female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD) can either be:

  • Lifelong: First noticed as soon as a person becomes sexually active, or
  • Acquired: In response to a particular relationship. However, when this person is outside of this specific relationship, they can function normally.

There are three main categories of FSIAD which are clinically based, distinguished in part by the woman’s response to genital and nongenital stimulation:

  • Subjective: This is when women don't feel aroused, even after genital or non-genital stimulation. In this category, there is a physical genital response; however, there is no mental arousal.  
  • Genital: This category, despite its name, means that someone cannot become aroused due to physical genital stimulation. Instead, arousal occurs in response to non-genital stimulation, like watching a video. This is most common for women who've gone through menopause and is typically due to decreased genital sensitivity.  
  • Combined: Neither mental nor physical stimulation results in arousal when both of the above categories are present.  

Symptoms

  • Decreased sexual desire. You may begin to lose interest in sex. While this can be due to lack of arousal, it may also be a symptom of stress and anxiety from having FSIAD.
  • Few thoughts related to sex. You may rarely think about sex.
  • Less initiation of sexual activity. You may not initiate sex and may be unreceptive to a partner’s attempts to initiate sex.
  • Decreased sexual excitement or pleasure during sex. Sexual stimulation or other things that used to turn you on no longer do.
  • Reduced arousal from internal or external sexual cues. You may no longer be aroused by cues like psychological intimacy, reading about enjoyable sex, or recalling an erotic fantasy.
  • Lack of genital or nongenital sensations during sex. When having sex, you might not feel much in your genital area or other erogenous zones.

Prevalence

There is a scarce number of statistics on the prevalence of FSIAD. However, while FSIAD can affect any woman, older women appear to experience it at higher rates.

Prognosis

Although female sexual interest/arousal disorder can be frustrating, it is treatable.

When to seek help

Treatment

  • Education: Learn about your body's systems and how they work. This may also focus on non-genital stimulation, including how crucial it is to develop trust with your partner.
  • Psychotherapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy is one type of therapy that is used to recognize harmful patterns of thinking that may be making it more difficult to experience arousal.  
  • Sex Therapy: A sex therapist could work with you and your partner.
  • Hormonal Therapy: Sometimes people have low estrogen or testosterone levels, which can contribute to a decrease in arousal and even desire for sex. Therefore, underlying these medical issues or hormonal changes will be important to ensure the best treatment outcomes.

It is also important to note that if you are feeling pain during intercourse, you need to see a gynecologist for an evaluation.