The Myth of Low Sexual Desire: A Cognitive Behavioral Approach to Treatment

The utility of the construct of hypoactive sexual desire (HSD) as an explanation for low frequency sex is scrutinized. In reviewing the case records of 18 clients self-diagnosed as HSD, it was found that these clients shared a number of sexual preferences or conditions which were rarely implemented during their sexual encounters. It is asserted that global attributions such as HSD often obfuscate the more immediate causes of infrequent sexual behavior. A cognitive behavioral treatment approach is described which directly addresses the problem of low frequency sex by increasing the probability that those conditions necessary for satisfying sex will, in fact, be implemented.