WOMEN’S EXPERIENCE OF LACK OF SEXUAL DESIRE IN RELATIONSHIPS, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERVENTION

Authors

  • Elzabé Dürr Department of Social Work, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15270/45-3-203

Abstract

Sexual desire disorders are both the most common and the most challenging of all the sexual
problems confronting practitioners. International statistics suggests that between 33% and 67%
of women indicate low sexual interest (Brezsnyak & Whisman, 2004; Davies, Katz & Jackson,
1999; Hicks, 2006; Pridal & LoPicollo, 2000). Little if any attention has been paid to the
subject of low sexual desire in women in South Africa, and the paucity of local research in the
field of sexual disorders (Robinson, 2005) means that there is a need for local perspectives on
the issue and for the development of local expertise in the realm of sexual health (Craig, 2002;
Smit, 1997).

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION. 2000. Diagnostic and statistical manual of

mental disorders (4th ed – text revision). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

BABBIE, E. & MOUTON, J. 2001. The practice of social research. Oxford: Oxford

University Press.

BARBACH, L. 2000. For yourself. The fulfilment of female sexuality. London: Penguin

Books Ltd.

BASSON, R. 2000. The female sexual response: a different model. Journal of Sex and

Marital Therapy, 26:51-65.

BASSON, R. 2002a. Rethinking low sexual desire in women. British Journal of Obstetrics

and Gynaecology, 109:357-363.

BASSON, R. 2002b. Women’s sexual desire – disordered or misunderstood? Journal of Sex

and Marital Therapy, 28(s):17-28.

BASSON, R. 2004. General recommendation regarding assessment of sexual problems. The

North American Menopause Society, 11(6):709-713.

BASSON, R. 2005. Women’s sexual dysfunction: revised and expanded definitions. Canadian

Medical Association Journal, 10:172.

BASSON, R., BROTTO, L.A., LAAN, E., REDMOND, G. & UTIAN, W. 2005. Assessment

and management of women’s sexual dysfunctions: problematic desire and arousal. Journal of

Sexual Medicine, 2:291-300.

BECK, J., BOZMAN, A. & QUALTROUGH, T. 1991. The experience of sexual desire:

psychological correlates in a college sample. Journal of Sex Research, 28(3):443-456.

BERMAN, J. & BERMAN, L. 2001. For women only. A revolutionary guide to overcoming

sexual dysfunction and reclaiming your sex life. New York: Henry Hot and Company.

BERTRAM, J.C. 2000. The science of sexual behaviour. The Journal of Sex Research,

(3):284-287.

BREZSNYAK, M. & WHISMAN, M.A. 2004. Sexual desire and relationship functioning: The

effects of marital satisfaction and power. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 30:199-217.

CAREY, M., KOCH, P., BARTHALOW, P., MANSFIELD, P.K. & THEREAU, D. 2005.

“Feeling frumpy”: the relationship between body image and sexual response changes in midlife

women. The Journal of Sex Research, 1:215-223.

CLEMENT, U. 2002. Sex in long-term relationships: a systemic approach to sexual problems.

Archives of Sexual Behavior, 31:241-246.

CRAIG, E. 2002. The knowledge of social workers in private practice regarding human

sexuality and sex therapy. Pretoria: University of Pretoria. (Unpublished MA Thesis)

CRESWELL, J.W. 1994. Research design. Qualitative & quantitative approaches. London:

Publications.

DAVIES, S., KATZ, J. & JACKSON, J.L. 1999. Sexual desire discrepancies: effects on

relationship satisfaction in heterosexual dating couples. Archives of Sexual Behaviour,

(6):553-567.

DAVIES, S.R., DAVIDSON, S.L., DONATH, S. & BELL, R.J. 2005. Circulating androgen

levels and self-reported sexual function in women. The Journal of Family Practice,

(10):91-96.

DE VOS, A.S., STRYDOM, H., FOUCH, C.B. & DELPORT, C.C.L. Research at grass

roots: for social sciences and human service professions (3rd ed). Pretoria: Van Schaik

Publishers.

DONNELLY, D. 1993. Sexually inactive marriages. Journal of Sex Research, 30(2):171-179.

DUNN, K.M., CROFT, P.R. & HACKETT, G.I. 2000. Satisfaction in the sex life of a general

population sample. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 26:141-151.

EVARAERD, W. & BOTH, S. 2001. Ideal female sexual function. Journal of Sex and

Marital Therapy, 27:137-139.

EVARAERD, W. & LAAN, E. 1995. Desire for passion: energetics of sexual response.

Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 21:225-263.

FOUCH, C.B. 2005. Selection of a researchable topic. In: DE VOS, A.S., STRYDOM, H.,

FOUCH, C.B. & DELPORT, C.C.L. Research at grass roots: for social sciences and

human service professions. (3rd ed). Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers.

FOURIE, M.C. 1984. The training of sex therapists in South Africa. Durban: University of

Durban-Westville. (Unpublished DEd Thesis)

FRIDAY, N. 1973. My secret garden. New York: Pocket Books.

FROMM, E. 1956. The art of loving. New York: Harper & Row.

GILES, D.C. 2002. Advanced research methods in psychology. New York: The Guilford

Press.

GIORGI, A. & GIORGI, B. 2003. Phenomenology. In: SMITH, J.A. (ed) Qualitative

psychology: a practical guide to research methods. London: Sage Publications.

GOLDMEIER, D. 2001. “Responsive” sexual desire in women-managing the normal? Sexual

and Relationship Therapy, 16(4):381-387.

GOLDSTEIN, A. & BRANDON, M. 2004. Reclaiming desire. A guide to finding your lost

libido. London: Rodale International.

GRINNELL, R.M. 1998. Social work research and evaluation (5th ed). Itasa, IL: Peacock.

HAWTON, K. 1985. Sex therapy. A practical guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

HENNING, E. 2004. Finding your way in qualitative research. Pretoria: Van Schaik

Publishers.

HERBST, E. 2006. The illness experiences of HIV-infected low-income coloured mothers

in the winelands region: theoretical and practical implications. Stellenbosch: University of

Stellenbosch. (Unpublished PhD thesis)

HICKS, K.M. 2006. The “new view approach” to women’s sexual problems. Available:

www.medscape.com.

HITE, S. 1987. Women in love: a nationwide study of female sexuality. New York: A

Knopf.

KAPLAN, H.S. 1995. The sexual desire disorders. Dysfunctional regulation of sexual

motivation. New York: Brunner/Mazel Publishers.

KAPLAN, H.S. 1997. Disorders of sexual desire and other new concepts and techniques in

sex therapy. New York: Simon & Schuster.

KING, R. 1997. Good loving, great sex. Finding the balance when your sex drives differ.

Sydney: Arrow.

KOCH, P.B., MANSFIELD, P.K., THUREAU, D. & CAREY, M. 2005. “Feeling frumpy”: the

relationship between body image and sexual repose changes in midlife women. Journal of Sex

Research, 42(3):1-9.

KVALE, S. 1996. An introduction to qualitative research interviewing. London: Sage

Publications.

LAVIE, M. & WILLIG, C. 2005. “I don’t feel like melting butter”: an interpretative

phenomenological analysis of the experience of ‘inorgasmia’. Psychology and Health,

(1):115-128.

LEIBLUM, S.R. & ROSEN, R.C. 1988. Introduction: changing perspectives on sexual desire.

In: LEIBLUM, S.R. & ROSEN, R.C. Sexual desire disorders. New York: The Guilford Press.

LEIBLUM, S.R. & ROSEN, R.C. 2000 (eds). Principles and practice of sex therapy (3rd ed).

New York: The Guilford Press.

LEIBLUM, S.R. 2002. Reconsidering gender differences in sexual desire: An update. Sexual

and Relationship Therapy, 17(1):57-68.

LEMON, N. & TAYLOR, H. 1997. Caring in casualty: the phenomenology of nursing care. In:

HAYES, N. (ed) Doing qualitative analysis in psychology. Buckingham: Psychology Press.

LESCH, E. 2000. Female adolescent sexuality in a Coloured community. Stellenbosch:

University of Stellenbosch. (Unpublished Doctoral dissertation)

LEVIN, R.J. 2002. The psychology of sexual arousal in the human female: A recreational and

pro-creational synthesis. Archives of Sexual Behaviour, 31(5):405-411.

LEVINE, S.B. 1987. More on the nature of sexual desire. Journal of Sex and Marital

Therapy, 13(1):35-44.

LEVINE, S.B. 2002. Re-exploring the concept of sexual desire. Journal of Sex and Marital

Therapy, 28:39-51.

LEVINE, S.B. 2003. The nature of sexual desire: a clinician’s perspective. Archives of Sexual

Behaviour, 32(3):279-285.

LEWIS, C.S. 1960. The four loves. London: Geoffrey Press.

LOPICCOLO, J. & FRIEDMAN, J.M. 1988. Broad-spectrum treatment of low sexual desire.

In: LEIBLUM, S.R. & ROSEN, R.C. Sexual desire disorders. New York: Guildford Press.

McINTOSH, E. 2005. Femina, December: 28-30.

MONEY, J. 1986. Lovemaps. New York: Irvington.

MORIN, J. 1995. The erotic mind. Unlocking the inner sources of sexual passion and

fulfilment. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.

MOUSTAKAS, C. 1994. Phenomenological research methods. London: Sage Publications.

MOYNIHAN, R. 2003. The making of a disease: female sexual dysfunction. Available:

www.bmj.com. [Retrieved: 16/02/2006].

NORTHRUP, C. 2004. The wisdom of menopause. The complete guide to women’s health

and wellbeing. London: Piathus Books.

PEREL, E. 2007. Mating in captivity. Sex, lies and domestic bliss. London: Hodder.

PIDGEON, N. & HENWOOD, K. 1997. Using grounded theory in psychological research. In:

HAYES, N, (ed) Doing qualitative analysis in psychology, Hove, East Sussex: Psychology

Press.

PRIDAL, C.G. & LOPICCOLO, J. 2000. Multi-element treatment of sexual desire disorders:

integration of cognitive, behavioural and systemic therapy. In: LEIBLUM, S.R. & ROSEN,

R.C. (eds) Principles and practice of sex therapy (3rd ed). New York: Guilford Press: 58-59.

REGAN, P.C. & BERSCHEID, E. 1999. Lust. What we know about sexual desire. Thousand

Oaks, California: Sage Publications.

ROBINSON, T.M. 2005. A critical assessment of the experiences and perceptions of the

couple in an unconsummated marriage. Stellenbosch: University of Stellenbosch.

(Unpublished doctoral thesis)

ROSEN, R.C. & LEIBLUM, S.R. 1995. Case studies in sex therapy. New York: The Guilford

Press.

SCHNARCH, D.M. 1991. Constructing the sexual crucible. An integration of sexual and

marital therapy. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

SCHNARCH, D.M. 1997. Love, sex, and intimacy in emotionally committed relationships.

New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

SCHWARTZ, M.F. & MASTERS, W.H. 1988. Inhibited sexual desire: the Masters and

Johnson Institute Treatment Model. In: LEIBLUM, S.R. & ROSEN, R.C. Sexual desire

disorders. New York: Guildford Press.

SHAW, R. 2001. Why use interpretive phenomenological analysis in health psychology?

Health Psychology Update, 10(4):48-52.

SMIT, L.S.B. 1997. ‘n Opleidingsprogram in seksualiteitsopvoeding vir maatskaplikewerk-

studente. Johannesburg: Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit. (Unpublished MA Thesis)

SMITH, D. 2003. Monitor on psychology. Women and sex: what is “dysfunctional”? APA

online. Available: http://www.apa.org/monitor/apr03/women.html. [Retrieved: 28/08/2007].

SMITH, J.A. 1994. Beyond the divide between cognition and discourse: using interpretative

phenomenological analysis in health psychology. Psychology and Health, 11:261-271.

SMITH, J.A. 2003. Qualitative psychology: a practical guide to research methods. London:

Sage Publications.

SMITH, J.A., JARMAN, M. & OSBORN, M. 1999. Doing interpretative phenomenological

analysis. In: MURRAY, M. & CHAMBERLAIN, K (eds) Qualitative health psychology:

theories and methods. London: Sage Publications.

STRYDOM, H. & VENTER, L. 2005. Sampling and sampling methods. In: DE VOS, A.S.,

STRYDOM, H., FOUCHÉ, C.B. & DELPORT, CSL. Research at grass roots: For the social

sciences and human service professions (3rd ed.) Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers.

STUART, F.M., HAMMOND, D.C. & PETT, M.A. 1987. Inhibited sexual desire in women.

Archives of sexual Behavior, 16(2):91-120.

TALLIS, F. 2004. Love sick. Love as mental illness. United Kingdom: Century.

TIEFER, L. 1995. Sex is not a natural act and other essays. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

TIEFER, L. 2001. A new view of women’s sexual problems: Why new? The Journal of Sex

Research, 38(2):89-96.

TRÆN, N., MARTINUSSEN, M., OBERG, H. & KAVLI, H. 2007. Reduced sexual desire in a

random sample of Norwegian couples. Sexual & Relationship Therapy, 22(3):303-322.

TRUDEL, G., BOULOS, L. & MATTE, B. 1993. Dyadic adjustment in couples with

hypoactive sexual desire. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, 19:31-36.

TRUDEL, G., LANDY, L. & LAROSE, Y. 1997. Low sexual desire: the role of anxiety,

depression and marital adjustment. Sexual and Marital Therapy, 12(1):95-99.

VERHULST, J. & HEIMAN, J.R. 1988. A systems perspectives on sexual desire. In:

LEIBLUM, S.R. & ROSEN, R.C. Sexual desire disorders. New York: Guildford Press.

WEEKS, G. & WINTERS, J. 2002. What problem? Psychology Today, 35(5):56-61.

WILLIG, L.A. 2001. Introducing qualitative research in psychology. Adventures in theory

and method. Buckingham: Open University Press.

WOOD, J.M., MANSFIELD, P.K. & KOCH, P.B. 2007. Negotiating sexual agency:

postmenopausal women’s meaning and experience of sexual desire. Qualitative Health

Research, 17(2):189-200.

WOOD, M.W., KOCH, P.B. & MANSFIELD, P.K. 2006. Women’s sexual desire: a feminist

critique. The Journal of Sex Research, 43(3):236-244.

Downloads

Published

2014-06-18

How to Cite

Dürr, E. (2014). WOMEN’S EXPERIENCE OF LACK OF SEXUAL DESIRE IN RELATIONSHIPS, AND IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERVENTION. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 45(3). https://doi.org/10.15270/45-3-203

Issue

Section

Articles