The Effectiveness of Systemic Sex Therapy on Sexual Desire Improvement in Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder(HSDD)

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions in women, associated with the persistent or recurrent deficiency and/or absence of sexual thought/fantasies and/or receptivity to sexual activity, which causes distress or interpersonal difficulties. The systemic framework in Sex Therapy is used to examine the risk factors for Hypoactive sexual desire disorder arising from: the individual partners; families of origin; and the couple’s relationship. The present study was carried out in order to examine Systemic Sex Therapy in the treatment of women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD). Non-congruent multiple baseline experimental single case study was used as the method of the present study. Three women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) were selected using Women’s Sexual Interest Diagnostic Interview (WSID): A Structured Interview to Diagnose HSDD. Subjects were selected using purposeful sampling, and underwent the treatment process subsequent to obtaining treatment requirements. The treatment program was carried out for 8 weekly sessions, with a follow-up period of 6 weeks subsequent to treatment termination. Subjects completed Hulbert Index of Sexual Desire (HISD) and ENRICH Marital Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using visual inspection, reliable change index (RCI) and improvement percentage. According to the findings of present study a significant reduction in severity and symptoms of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in each three cases in comparison with baseline scores and stability of these changes until the end of follow up reveals the efficacy of this intervention in improvement of women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Systemic Sex Therapy has appropriate efficacy in the treatment of women suffering from Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder. Counselors and obstetricians can use this efficient and effective theraputic approach to solve marital conflicts and help people to improve their marital relationships.