Libido symptoms Assessment Questionnaire

Why: to determine if libido problems have existed since the onset of adult sexual function (lifelong) or may have been preceded by a period of unimpaired function (acquired). This differentiation is ultimately needed to give proper therapeutic direction.

Why: e.g. reduced libido (reduced interest in sex) or increased libido (increased interest in sex or hypersexuality).

Why: gradual onset may suggest an organic cause (i.e. due to medical problems) while sudden onset often suggests a psychological cause (i.e. depression, bereavement, stress, fatigue, performance anxiety, anger and relationship problems).

Why: must determine if the lack of orgasm exists under all (generalized) or just some (situational) sexual circumstances. Generally a problem that appears only sometimes (e.g. with one sexual partner but not with another) can be thought of as arising from psychosocial origins.

Why: to help determine risk of sexually transmitted diseases.

Why: to determine if any deleterious consequences of libido symptoms. There is no "right" or "normal" number of times you should want to make love. Desire can wax and wane with circumstances and at different periods in a relationship. High or low sexual desire doesn't have to be a problem at all - unless there is a discrepancy with the desire level of your partner or you are taking risks to your health or reputation.

Why: worries about a sexual problem can become an important perpetuating factor.

Why: Sexual function involves a partner and thus any sexual dysfunction is also partner related.

Why: problems in a relationship can cause sexual dysfunction. e.g. are you and your partner sexually attracted to each other?, how often do you argue with your partner?, do you talk things over with your partner?, how is your love for your partner?

Why: this is one of the key factors for causing sexual problems. Stress lowers the levels of some body chemicals and thus may have the effect of reducing sexual desire and reducing the ability to perform when you do try.

Why: Puberty may be associated with an increased libido. Menopause may be associated with a reduced libido.

Why: some medications are associated with an increased sexual desire including levodopa and danazol; some medications are associated with a reduced sexual desire including clomipramine, fluphenazine, methadone, guanethidine, chlorthalidone, guanedrel, methyldopa, spironolactone, fluoxetine, danazol, digoxin, ethinyl estradiol, ketoconazole and niacin.

Why: alcohol intake may increase sexual desire at low dose.

Why: e.g. hemochromatosis, depression, bipolar affective disorder.

Why: e.g. amphetamines may increase sexual desire at low dosage; marijuana may reduce libido.

Why: e.g. Vaginismus causes strong, involuntary tightening of the vaginal muscles which can make penetration extremely painful and impossible and therefore reduce sexual interest.

Why: Vaginal lubrication is, from a functional point of view, the equivalent of erections in a man in that both are evidence of sexual arousal.

Why: Are you able to achieve orgasm from sexual intercourse or other activities such as masturbation, manual or oral stimulation?

Why: e.g. episodes of depression (often psychotic in intensity) and at other times episodes of psychotic excitement (mania or hypomania). Symptoms of psychotic excitement may include elevation of mood, increased activity, grandiose ideas, irritability, disinhibition (which affects social, sexual and financial behavior), rapid speech and racing thought, delusions (persecutory or grandiose) and sometimes hallucinations.

Why: e.g. palpitations, hot flushes, night sweats, lethargy, dry vagina, dry skin, emotional changes, reduced sexual drive.

Why: e.g. depressed mood, crying spells, anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure), increase or decrease in appetite (usually decreased), weight loss or gain, insomnia or increased sleeping (usually early morning waking), fatigue, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of excessive guilt, poor concentration, difficulty making decisions, low libido, thoughts of death or suicide attempt. If you are depressed it is common to have problems with reduced libido due to the physical and emotional state of your body when you are depressed. Treating the depression may alleviate the libido problems as well.

Why: e.g. weight gain especially central abdominal, change of appearance, moon-like face, thin skin, easy bruising, excessive facial hair growth, acne, muscle weakness, lack of or rare menstrual periods, poor libido, psychosis, insomnia, frequent urination, excessive thirst - Cushing's syndrome may also present with depression.

Why: e.g. fatigue, painful joints, impotence, bronze discoloration of skin.