The definition of female sexual dysfunction could undergo major changes when an influential US medical manual is revised in 2012.

The changes have been suggested by a group from the American Psychiatric Association. They want to see a more holistic approach taken towards treating women affected by female sexual dysfunction, typically characterised by a low libido and a diminished ability to become sexually aroused.

At present, some researchers feel female sexual dysfunction is treated without regard to each woman’s individual lifestyle – the daily events that could be occurring in their personal lives and relationships. Psychiatrists argue that in some cases a lack of arousal may be a normal reaction to a problematic situation. In such scenarios, they suggest that the condition should not be diagnosed as a mental disorder.

This widened approach could be incorporated into new definitions of the disorder when the American Psychiatric Association reviews the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals of Medical Disorders, a manual containing definitions used by many as the standards for mental health treatment.

It is already accepted as consensus that women experience female sexual dysfunction for a variety of reasons. Sometimes these reasons are physical, including hormone problems, nerve disorders and diseases such as diabetes. In others they are psychological, with issues such as depression, trauma, or work or life anxiety coming in to play. Psychiatrists are now arguing that factors outside a woman’s body need to be taken into account – lack of arousal may not always be an abnormal reaction.

Millions of women are affected by female sexual dysfunction, so if you are experiencing it, you are not alone. Consulting your doctor, if possible with the support of a partner, is the best first step to take. Here at 121Doc, we offer a free online consultation and the medical aid Intrinsa, which many women find useful as a tool to regain their sex drive.