Biological Determinants of Sexual Desire in Women

Abstract

Sexual desire, commonly referred to as libido, is an important component of the sexual response cycle, frequently overshadowed by other aspects of sexual behaviour and activity. Pheromones are thought to be involved in social attraction and recognition and thus in sexual behaviour, since it has been proven to be the case in other species. Furthermore, neurotransmitters are also mediators in the sexual response cycle through both excitatory and inhibitory pathways, each of them with different neuropeptides. Other factors of a woman's physiology and biology may also affect her libido, namely fluctuations throughout the ovulatory cycle and menopause. They are most likely due to sexual hormones variations, although, in light of what is known today, none can be pinpointed. This is further suggested by the fact that women with both surgically and naturally induced menopause report a decrease in the quality of life greatly due to the decline in the quality of their sexual life, especially in desire and arousal.