What is going on inside me? Lived experience of married women exhibiting hypoactive sexual desire disorder in long-term relationships: A qualitative study

Sexual satisfaction, as a basic human need, has a determining effect on human health, and its absence can cause physical and mental pressures that will threaten individuals' health. Low sexual desire is a common disorder affecting married women and can greatly influence their well-being and disrupt their everyday life. This study aimed to analyze the lived experiences of married women suffering from hypoactive sexual desire disorder in long-term relationships considering cultural drivers. 

This qualitative study (2019-2020) in Mashhad-Iran, was conducted based on the descriptive phenomenology approach. The research data were collected through 20 in-depth and semi-structured interviews and then they were analyzed using Colaizzi's method of data analysis. The participants were also selected through purposive sampling. A mean score of 22.6±2.9 was obtained for full-scale score of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and 107.11±3.2 for Marital Conflict Questionnaire-Revised (MCQ-R). 

The four core themes extracted from the data were (1) incessant everyday life in long-term relationships, (2) de-sexualized roles, (3) traces of old wounds, and (4) misinterpretation of religious teachings. 

Personal conflicts and neglected foreplay priorities were the primary causes of married women's low sexual desire in long-term relationships. Couples workshops aimed at preserving and revitalizing relationships and individual treatment of affected women are some potential solutions for alleviating the suffering of this group of women.