From the Guidelines
Yes, inflammation can contribute to a disease that leads to sexual anhedonia, also known as pleasureless (Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder, HSDD).
Causes of Sexual Anhedonia
- Inflammation from conditions like cancer 1, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) 1, and lichen sclerosus 1 can lead to sexual dysfunction, including decreased libido and pleasureless sex.
- Emotional aspects, such as concerns about body image, feeling unattractive, and worry about urgency and leakage of stool during intercourse, can also contribute to sexual impairment 1.
- Additionally, depression and anxiety, which are common in individuals with chronic conditions, can further contribute to decreased sexual desire and function 1.
Importance of Addressing Sexual Health
- Effective strategies for treating sexual dysfunction exist, making discussions related to sexual health a critical part of care for individuals with chronic conditions 1.
- Healthcare professionals should ask about sexual function at regular intervals and provide referrals to specialist services as needed 1.
- Addressing sexual health concerns can improve quality of life and reduce distress for individuals with chronic conditions 1.
From the Research
Inflammation and Sexual Anhedonia
- Inflammation may interfere with female sexual desire and arousal via direct and indirect pathways, including neural, endocrine, vascular, and social/behavioral pathways 2.
- A variety of inflammation-related conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and chronic pain, are associated with an increased risk of female sexual dysfunction, including Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) 2.
- Inflammation has been linked to anhedonia, a symptom characterized by a lack of motivation, interest, or ability to experience pleasure, which is a prominent symptom of depression and other psychiatric disorders 3, 4, 5.
Mechanisms of Inflammation and Anhedonia
- Exogenous administration of inflammatory stimuli has been found to affect neurotransmitters and neurocircuits involved in reward processing, including the ventral striatum and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, in association with reduced motivation 3.
- Endogenous inflammation, which may arise from sources such as stress, obesity, or metabolic dysfunction, has been associated with decreased activation of and reduced functional connectivity within reward circuits, leading to anhedonia 3, 4.
- Inflammation has been shown to impact corticostriatal reward circuitry and increase anhedonia-related symptoms in trauma-exposed individuals 4.
Implications for HSDD
- The association between inflammation and anhedonia suggests that inflammation may play a role in the development and maintenance of HSDD, a condition characterized by a lack of sexual desire and pleasure 2, 3.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between inflammation and HSDD, including the potential benefits of anti-inflammatory treatments and the impact of chronic inflammation on sexual function 2, 6.