Gut Microbiota and Sexual Desire Disorder in Women

Transferred by Dr Khaled Hussain

Abstract

Introduction

Hyposexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a common female sexual health problem. HSDD mainly refers to women's continuous lack of sexual fantasy or desire for sexual activities, accompanied by obvious personal pain or affecting the partnership. In humans, sexual desire is regulated by a variety of neurotransmitters in key areas of the brain. Norepinephrine, dopamine, melanocortin, oxytocin and vasopressin mediate excitability, while serotonin, opioids, prolactin and endogenous cannabinoid system mediate inhibition. HSDD may be related to neuropsychological state of increased inhibition or decreased excitation, or both. There is a close relationship between gut microbiota and a variety of mental and neurological diseases. The changes of gut microbiota richness and diversity affect the functions of 5-hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine and dopaminergic nervous systems in the brain, and these pathways and molecules have been proved to be closely related to the level of human sexual desire. At present, the understanding of the role of gut microbiota in the regulation of sexual desire and the mechanism of HSDD is limited.