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Women’s perception of low sexual desire, its causes and consequences: An online qualitative survey

Sinan Tetik , Özden Yalçınkaya Alkar

Abstract

Background: The nature of sexual desire is complex, and little phenomenological consensus exists on its meaning. Low sexual desire (LSD) is a commonly reported sexual difficulty among women, but it is less frequently linked to sexual distress. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore women's understanding of sexual desire, their perceptions of factors that may contribute to LSD, its effects, and their methods for seeking help. Methods: The research employed a questionnaire with twelve open-ended questions, developed by researchers based on sexual script theory. Data was collected from 165 heterosexual Turkish women who reported LSD, recruited through social media platforms between August and October 2021. The data was analyzed using a contextual form of thematic analysis to identify and explore patterns. Results: The ages of the participants ranged from 20 to 63. The majority of participants held Bachelor's degrees (81.2%) and were partnered (78.8%). Three main themes emerged from the study: 1) Gendered messages concerning sex, 2) Multi-level sexual desire, and 3) Minimization. The research revealed that women’s sexual desire is often ignored and suppressed, and carries negative ramifications when not expressed within socially acceptable contexts. The causes of LSD in women extend beyond personal factors and encompass relational and social influences. Women experiencing LSD report distressing effects on their relationships and overall well-being, yet they tend to refrain from seeking help. Conclusions: Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the factors impacting the sexual desire of women and the barriers to seeking help.

SH23185  Accepted 08 April 2024

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