Anaphrodisia is a desire disorder that can occur alone or following a post-traumatic event. It is a curable pathology depending on its management. Still too often taboo, we talk about it today in order to better understand it.
What are the causes of sexual anorexia? Are there treatments for anaphrodisia? We answer all these questions in this article.
1 What is anaphrodisia?
2 Causes and different forms of anaphrodisia
3 What are the consequences of sexual anorexia?
4 Treatment: how to treat sexual anorexia and lack of desire?
5 In conclusion regarding anaphrodisia
What is anaphrodisia?
Also called sexual anorexia, anaphrodisia is a disorder that is mainly designated by the absence of sexual desire in all its forms.
Sexual anorexia affects a minority of people, since only 1 to 3% in men under 50, against 2.5 to 15% in women. It could occur especially with age.
Anaphrodisia is not synonymous with loss of pleasure, quite the contrary. In reality, when a person suffers from anaphrodisia, it does not necessarily encounter difficulty in enjoying. But rather, a total absence of sexual desire, the report is then not spontaneous (source). Indeed, the person does not commit anything and does not respond to the solicitations of the partner either, if he is in a relationship.
The causes and different forms of anaphrodisia
There are two forms of anaphrodisia with, both, different causes of this lack of sexual desire.
Primary anaphrodisia
The primary form of sexual anorexia testifies to the presence of this disorder since the age of first sexual intercourse. Very often, the causes are medical or physiological.
It is during puberty that the body, and in particular the genitals, develop. If a pathology or hormonal deficiency develops, it may disrupt proper development and thus cause a total lack of pleasure.
Nevertheless, the psychological aspect can also be the cause, for example:
– Anxieties – Significant trauma – Sexual violence.
These can also be caused by the cultural environment and education in which the person may have evolved. Finally, if representations of sexuality are negative and dialogue is not possible within the family, it is possible that a total repression of sexuality or gender can completely inhibit sexuality as a whole.
Secondary anaphrodisia
Unlike the primary form of anaphrodisia which can develop at puberty, the secondary form usually occurs after an event. Following a medical, psychic or relational event, the desire seems to have disappeared suddenly and permanently.
The causes of secondary anaphrodisia can be many.
Organic disorders such as endocrine diseases relating to the pituitary and thyroid, or even genital and urinary infections can cause a lack of sexual desire in women (source). Concerning men, persistent and untreated erectile dysfunction can maintain a relationship of failure with sexuality and lead to a significant lack of desire (source).
In addition, the consumption of drugs, psychotropics, antidepressants or alcohol favor the development of anaphrodisia. Finally, psychological causes are not spared, since depression, job loss, anxiety or even bereavement can be the cause of sexual anorexia.
What are the consequences of sexual anorexia?
If on the level of solitary pleasure this disorder can be manageable, within the couple the anaphrodisia can be a real suffering.
Indeed, very often the person concerned can very well live with this disorder without feeling the need to go to consult, because it seems almost normal to him to have no sexual desire.
But in the context of a relationship, sexual anorexia leads to more difficulties. Partner requests can be seen as a source of conflict. Experienced as an aggression, these requests in fact testify to the frustration on the part of the partner. If it doesn't end in a breakup, it's often the spouse who will ask for the problem to be resolved.
Treatment: how to treat sexual anorexia and lack of desire?
Anaphrodisia is a curable disorder depending on its management. Several treatments are available depending on the degree of lack of desire.
Medication
Drug treatment is adapted according to the causes. If sexual anorexia is physiological, hormonal or therapeutic treatment will then be prescribed.
Hormonal treatments specific to menopause are quite effective. In this case, it requires menopause to be the cause. Finally, hormonal treatments generally composed of estrogen or testosterone are known as solutions against libido disorders. We also explain how to know your testosterone level to possibly detect a deficiency.
Drug treatments differ between men and women (source).
In the woman
A small dose of estrogen in the form of a cream or patch in the vagina can increase blood circulation. The blood flow will cause an increase in sexual desire.
However, it must be temporary because, in the long term, hormonal treatment under estrogen can promote the development of breast cancer or cardiovascular diseases (source).
In man
Hormonal treatment based on testosterone could be the solution to regain sexual desire. However, this can have several consequences.
Indeed, used in the case of andropause, this treatment is not unconditional since it can promote the growth of prostate cancer. The patient will then have to submit to strict and regular monitoring in the event of an anomaly in his analyzes (source).
Finally, side effects such as breast enlargement, acne, increased cholesterol levels or even infertility can occur following testosterone hormone treatment (source).
Psychological follow-up
If the cause is a result of trauma, then psychological care is needed. Very often, a sexologist doctor will be able to accompany the person in all his psychological process by:
– Advice from sexologists – Sex education – Psychological support when an illness or sexual abuse is announced.
couples therapy
When the cause is psychological, it is important to unblock the obstacles that the person has in place. This is why if she is in a couple, the sexologist doctor can then call on both partners to work on communication in order to learn:
– How to show affection and empathy towards the other – How to respect the point of view and the feelings of the other – How to resolve a conflict.
As the cause of anaphrodisia can be different for each person, a treatment is adapted according to each case (source).
hypnosis
Although the latter may leave many people skeptical, hypnosis is well known for stopping addictions, supporting weight loss or even overcoming a phobia.
It is also particularly effective in treating sexual disorders, including lack of desire. However, this will only work if the cause of the anaphrodisia is a blockage, and the blockage is ready to give way.
In conclusion about anaphrodisia
Sexuality plays an important role in the development of any person, and within a couple. This is why it may be necessary to consult if there is an absence of sexual desire and this is a source of suffering.
Depending on the individual, it is possible to treat the cause of anaphrodisia. Solutions such as hormone treatment or a therapeutic approach can be effective in understanding this lack of desire and regaining an interest in one's sexuality.