Effectiveness of the Treatment of Female Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder.

Effectiveness of the Treatment of Female Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, Francisco Cabello, Andaluz Institut of Sexology and Psychology, Spain

I compared the efficiency and effects on sexual desire of bupropion, sexual therapy, and combined treatment. A design multigroup of four levels was elaborated. The patients answered the Woman's Sexual Function (FSM) questionnaire and were included in the study after one month on a waiting list (while the results of the hormonal screening were obtained). Results showed absence of interest, absence of fantasies, significant changes in the sexual frequency, no depression, and abnormal rates in the domains 1, 2, and 4 of the FSM. Then patients were randomly assigned to receive either sexual therapy, bupropion 150 mg daily, or combined therapy. A sample of 54 patients participated in the study, but only 32 completed the established criteria at the end point. After the statistical analysis, there were not significant differences in the first time point (one month). In the second time point (three months), the differences were not statistically significant. The most important differences were established in the rates of withdrawal, when 23% of patients in sexual therapy left treatment vs. 13% of those who followed bupropion and 6% of those with combined therapy. In the shortterm, none of the treatments showed more efficacy than the others, although the rates were better for combined therapy. The benefits of the treatment should be valued in the long-term because, for example, three months is not enough to assess the adaptation with a partner. Low sexual interest has multiple causes, and an adequate sexual biopsychosocial model for women has not yet been developed. We should elaborate more accurate models for the diagnosis of hypoactive sexual desire.