ABSTRACT
Problems of relationships with no sex, low sex, or desire discrepancies are shrouded in secrecy and stigma. Yet, desire conflicts are the major problem that couples bring to sex therapy. Although women report higher frequency of desire problems, when couples stop being sexual (intercourse less than 10 times a year) it is usually the man’s choice because he has lost confidence with erections and intercourse.
Both women and men experience low sexual desire. The great majority of desire problems are secondary (the individual and couple experienced desire-often for many years-but no longer feel desire). The most common cause of male HSDD is erectile dysfunction, and for female FSIAD the cause is loss of her “sexual voice” and that she no longer anticipates touching and sexuality. Desire problems have a major negative impact on the relationship, especially when they become stuck in the “intercourse or nothing” power struggle.
