New management approaches for female sexual dysfunction

Abstract

Purpose of review The goal of this paper is to review the most recent studies evaluating treatments for female sexual dysfunction (FSD), including distressing symptoms of desire, arousal, and orgasm disorder. We divide the sections into psychological and pharmacological. Recent findings There is excellent evidence in favour of mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy, and psychoeducation for improving low sexual desire in women, and less evidence in support of these approaches to address other sexual dysfunctions in women. There are two US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pharmacological treatments for low desire in premenopausal women that have modest benefits above placebo, and a significant proportion of users will experience side effects. Evidence also supports the use of transdermal testosterone for low desire in postmenopausal women. Summary Sexual dysfunction in women is common and distressing, and there are a variety of psychological and pharmacological treatments. More research is needed to better understand the predictors of a positive treatment response in order to deliver more personalized care.