A decrease in sexual desire is a common occurrence for both men and women, but the treatment options are not the same. While men have pills like Viagra to jump-start their bodies into high gear, women have to take a different approach to the problem, which often involves lifestyle changes and/or hormone therapy. Hypoactive Sexual Desire affects many women and causes significant stress in a woman's private life and relationships.

Part of dealing with Hypoactive Sexual Desire, according to Dr. Eric Braverman, who has written extensively on the subject and appeared on the Today Show to discuss this topic, is understanding the body's chemistry that is underlying the problem. According to Dr. Braverman, there are four basic chemical/hormonal reactions which contribute to a lower sexual drive. They are:

• Dopamine is responsible for creating desire and a higher libido.
• Arousal is limited by Acetycholine.
• GABA is known to get you revved up.
• Serotonin works with the timing of the orgasm.

Possible causes for a woman's loss of sexual desire include: pain during intercourse, disease, medication side effects, alcohol & drugs, surgery, and fatigue.

According to several sources including Dr. Braverman and the Mayo Clinic, there are several possibilities to deal with the problem effectively.

• Exercise. Exercise results in increased brain cells and increased blood circulation, which gets the blood flowing to the areas that need it most, and increasing lubrication. Not only will this help your sexual functions, it will assist you in the aging process.

• Diet. Through use of diet, you are able to change the hormone and chemical levels in your body, as well as increasing muscle mass.

• Reduce Stress. This can be done both through exercise and diet, but also by simplifying your life as much as humanly possible. Learning how to limit personal commitments and giving yourself time in the middle of a busy schedule are necessary factors to reduce stress as well.

• Kegel Exercises. While Dr. Braverman does not recommend Kegel exercises, the Mayo Clinic asserts that utilizing these muscles will result in some increased sexual function and more knowledge of your own personal body.

• Local Estrogen Therapy. Sometimes placing  a topical estrogen cream can increase sexual desire in women.

• Testosterone Therapy. While it may seem counterintuitive to give women testosterone, it can increase libido in women with already low testosterone levels. There are several methods for taking the hormone including injection, pills, and placing it under the skin. Testosterone therapy should not be undertaken without medical advice.

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