The FDA has approved the drug Addyi for treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women under 65 who are postmenopausal, expanding its use beyond premenopausal women, with experts discussing its effects, side effects, and alternative approaches for low libido during menopause.
A study by the University of California, Santa Barbara, suggests that testosterone in men is more closely linked to romantic behavior and courtship efforts rather than sexual desire. The research, involving 41 men over 31 days, found no correlation between elevated testosterone levels and increased sexual desire. Instead, higher testosterone was associated with increased courtship efforts during social interactions with potential romantic partners. These findings challenge the common practice of prescribing testosterone for low sexual desire in men with normal hormone levels.
A woman seeks advice on her wife's unenthusiastic approach to sex, despite their agreement to have sex on Sundays. She feels rejected by her wife's lack of physical and flirtatious response, while her wife claims difficulty in switching to "sexy stuff" on command. The columnist suggests understanding the wife's preferred approach to touch and communication, and encourages the woman to communicate openly with her wife about her feelings and desires, while also reminding herself of the other reasons she married her.
A meta-analysis of 21 studies found that sexual function, especially desire, decreased significantly for both men and women after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, with women experiencing a greater impact. Stress and increased domestic responsibilities during the pandemic are cited as major factors. Sex therapists recommend addressing emotional connection, improving the quality of sex, and addressing sexual pain as ways to reignite desire. Responsive arousal, optimal timing of foreplay, and seeking professional help are also highlighted as important strategies for improving sexual function and intimacy post-pandemic.
The New York Times is seeking input from readers regarding their experiences with sexual desire discrepancies in relationships and their questions about sexual health. Sex drive disparities are a common reason for couples seeking therapy, and many individuals may not know where to seek help. The reporter is interested in exploring these topics and invites readers to share their stories and suggestions for coverage.
A new study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine has identified distinct patterns of sexual boredom and sexual desire among individuals in long-term relationships. The study found that sexual boredom doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of desire and that women tend to report lower sexual boredom compared to men, while men tend to have higher scores in all sexual desire dimensions compared to women. The findings indicate that sexual boredom can be related to both low and high sexual desire depending on gender, and that being classified into certain profiles was associated with lower relationship satisfaction.
A new study suggests that cognitive reappraisal, a popular emotion regulation strategy, may boost sexual desire. Cognitive reappraisal involves changing how you think about a given situation, reframing it in order to reduce the negative emotions you may feel. The study found that cognitive reappraisal appeared to boost desire, particularly for women, suggesting that those with a greater tendency to think about and unpick their feelings may experience stronger sexual desire. The study also considered where this desire was directed, whether that be toward a partner or someone else, or a desire to have sex by oneself.
Cognitive reappraisal, a coping strategy that involves changing one's interpretation of a situation, is linked to heightened sexual desire, particularly for women, according to a study published in Scientific Reports. The research found that cognitive reappraisal was the only factor that predicted sexual desire, while feelings of shame or trying to hide emotions during sex may not be as important. The study suggests that cognitive reappraisal is important for how much people desire sex, but future studies with larger and more diverse samples are needed to verify the results.