Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a general term comprising several sexual health concerns that can be distressing for patients, including female sexual interest/arousal disorder, female orgasmic disorder, and genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder.
DSM-5 Criteria for Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder
A. Lack of, or significantly reduced, sexual interest/arousal, as manifested by at least three of the following:
- Absent/reduced interest in sexual activity.
- Absent/reduced sexual/erotic thoughts or fantasies.
- No/reduced initiation of sexual activity, and typically unreceptive to a partner’s attempts to initiate.
- Absent/reduced sexual excitement/pleasure during sexual activity in almost all or all (approximately 75%–100%) sexual encounters (in identified situational contexts or, if generalized, in all contexts).
- Absent/reduced sexual interest/arousal in response to any internal or external sexual/erotic cues (e.g., written, verbal, visual).
- Absent/reduced genital or nongenital sensations during sexual activity in almost all or all (approximately 75%–100%) sexual encounters (in identified situational contexts or, if generalized, in all contexts).
B. The symptoms in Criterion A have persisted for a minimum duration of approximately 6 months.
C. The symptoms in Criterion A cause clinically significant distress in the individual.
D. The sexual dysfunction is not better explained by a nonsexual mental disorder or as a consequence of severe relationship distress (e.g., partner violence) or other significant stressors and is not attributable to the effects of a substance/medication or another medical condition.
Specify whether:
- Lifelong: The disturbance has been present since the individual became sexually active.
- Acquired: The disturbance began after a period of relatively normal sexual function.
Specify whether:
- Generalized: Not limited to certain types of stimulation, situations, or partners.
- Situational: Only occurs with certain types of stimulation, situations, or partners.
Specify current severity
- Mild: Evidence of mild distress over the symptoms in Criterion A.
- Moderate: Evidence of moderate distress over the symptoms in Criterion A.
- Severe: Evidence of severe or extreme distress over the symptoms in Criterion A.
References:
- Faubion SS, Rullo JE. Sexual Dysfunction in Women: A Practical Approach. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Aug 15;92(4):281-8. [Medline]
- Clayton AH, Valladares Juarez EM. Female Sexual Dysfunction. Med Clin North Am. 2019 Jul;103(4):681-698. [Medline]
Created Sep 16, 2019.
