Learn more about Arousal Disorder

Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (FSIAD) is a type of sexual dysfunction characterised by a significant decrease or lack of sexual interest or arousal around sexual encounters over a period of at least six months. Symptoms of FSIAD are a decrease in or lack of sexual desire, erotic thoughts or sexual fantasies, initiation of sexual activity or responsiveness to partner’s attempts to initiate sex, sexual excitement or pleasure during sex, arousal from internal or external sexual cues and genital or nongenital sensations during sex.

These symptoms may be experienced in most or all instances of sexual activity and can be something that has been present since the individual became sexually active (lifelong) or after a period of typical sexual function (acquired). Symptoms may also present themselves in a generalized manner that is not limited to certain types of stimuli, situations, or partners, or in a situational manner that involve specific stimuli, situations, or partners.

Many experiencing FSIAD develop issues with self-esteem, find it affects their intimate relationships and may even experience other sexual difficulties, such as pain during sex, often leading to significant distress in the individual.