New National Survey Reveals about Half of Women Report Having Lower Sex Drive Than in the Past; “Deal” with It Despite Resulting Strain on Relationships and Impact on Well-Being

American Sexual Health Association Launches ‘Find My Spark’ to Increase Awareness for Undiscussed Medical Condition – Female Sexual Dysfunction – and Break the Silence

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Upwards of 40 percent of women experience Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) at some point in their lives, which is defined as persistent problems with sexual arousal, orgasm, pain, or desire.^2-4 To help educate about FSD and elevate the conversation, the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) is partnering with leading experts in women’s sexual health – with support from Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. – to launch Find My Spark. This educational campaign aims to provide facts about FSD, while empowering women to take charge of their sex lives and talk to their healthcare provider about any troubles they may be facing.

While the majority of women agree that sex is an important part of their lives and relationships, nearly 50 percent of premenopausal women age 21-49 admit that their low sexual desire is putting their relationship at risk, according to results from a new online Harris Poll survey conducted on behalf of ASHA of 2,501 women.¹ Despite the impact that a healthy sex life can have, results suggest that too many women are just “dealing” with low sexual desire and are not taking action to address their health.¹

Key National Survey* Findings Include:¹

• 48% of premenopausal women age 21-49 say their sex drive is lower now than in the past
• 93% of women believe that having low sexual desire can put a strain on their relationship
• 46% of women currently in a relationship feel that low sexual desire is putting their relationship at risk
• 81% of women in a relationship admit to having sex with a partner even if they are not in the mood
• 77% of women believe there needs to be more open, honest discussions about women’s low sexual desire in the news/media
• 67% of women are worried that low sexual desire in women isn't taken seriously
• Only 14% of women are aware of the availability of treatments for low sex drive/desire

“Female sexual dysfunction is a true clinical condition. Countless women come to me in perfectly healthy relationships and are distressed by their lack of desire, as well as other forms of female sexual dysfunction impacting their life outside of the bedroom,” said Dr. Leah S. Millheiser, director of the female sexual medicine program at Stanford University. “And the unfortunate truth is that there are a number of women that I don’t get to see, because they suffer in silence.”

There are four types of FSDs; arousal problems, orgasmic problems, sexual pain disorder and desire problems.⁴ The most common type of FSD is known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), impacting more than 4 million premenopausal women in the United States.^2,5-6

“Having a conversation about your sexual health isn’t always easy, especially for women who have FSD, who are often told that it’s all in their head,” said Lynn Barclay, CEO and President of ASHA. “Our hope is that Find My Spark sheds light on FSD as a true medical condition, educates women about sexual difficulties and their symptoms, and encourages meaningful conversations between women, their partners and their healthcare providers.”

Through Find My Spark (www.FindMySpark.com), women can access resources to learn the facts about FSD. The website features patient testimonials and an opportunity for women to share their own stories, while relating to the experiences of others who may be dealing with a similar struggle. Women can take an interactive quiz to help identify potential common sexual troubles and review tips to open up a dialogue with their healthcare provider or therapist.

About the National Survey*

The survey was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of the American Sexual Health Association with support from Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America from July 1 -14 2016, and included 2,501 U.S. women age 21-49 who are not experiencing menopause symptoms. Data are weighted where necessary by age, race/ethnicity, region, education, income, and propensity to be in line with their actual proportions in the population.

About the Find My Spark Campaign

The American Sexual Health Association – with support from Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. -- launched an educational campaign, Find My Spark, to build awareness and educate about Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) and encourage women who have lost their spark to take charge and begin a conversation with a therapist or healthcare provider about any sexual difficulties. For more information, visit www.FindMySpark.com.

About Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD)

Trouble with having sex or enjoying it are sometimes called female sexual dysfunction, or female sexual difficulty (FSD). It can be life-long or can develop over time.³ There are four types of FSDs; arousal problems, orgasmic problems, sexual pain disorder and desire problems.⁴ The most common form of FSD is known hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).⁵ HSDD is thought to be related to an imbalance in serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which have been associated with sexual desire response in women.⁷

About the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA)

The American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1914 to promote the sexual health of individuals, families and communities by advocating sound policies and practices and educating the public, professionals and policy makers, in order to foster healthy sexual behaviors and relationships and prevent adverse health outcomes. ASHA’s educational websites include: www.ashasexualhealth.org, www.iwannaknow.org (for teens and young adults), and www.quierosaber.org (Spanish language site).

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^1	Harris Poll. American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) and Valeant Pharmaceuticals. July 2016.
^2	Shifren J, Monz B, Russo, P, et al. Sexual Problems and Distress in United States Women. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2008; 112(5):970-978.
^3	Female Sexual Dysfunction. Mayo Clinic. March 2016.
^4	Your Sexual Health FAQ What are the types of sexual problems that affect women? ACOG.
^5	Kingsberg SA, Clayton AH, Pfaus J. The Female Sexual Response: Current Models, Neurobiological Underpinnings and Agents Currently Approved or Under Investigation for the Treatment of Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder. CNS Drugs. 2015;29(11):915-933.
^6	U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2013. Internet release date: March 2016.
^7	Bianchi-Demicheli F, Cojan Y, et al. Neural bases of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in women: an event-related fmri study. J Sex Med. 2011:8(9):2546-59.

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