Study confirms at least two subtypes of FSAD.(Gynecology)

SANTA FE, N.M. -- While the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines only one type of female sexual arousal disorder, there is now physiologic evidence that there are at least two subtypes of the disorder, Lori A. Brotto, Ph.D., reported during the annual meeting of the Society for Psychophysiological Research.

For a diagnosis of female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), DSM-IV-TR requires "persistent or recurrent inability to attain ... an adequate lubrication-swelling response of sexual excitement."

Although some women with the disorder do complain mostly of genital impairment, others report that while their body becomes aroused, they don't become aroused psychologically.

In a study involving 70 women, Dr. Brotto of the University of Washington in Seattle examined 8 women reporting the genital subtype of FSAD, 26 reporting the subjective subtype, and 36 control subjects reporting no difficulties in becoming aroused.

All of the women watched neutral and erotic films while their vaginal pulse amplitude--a reliable measure of genital arousal--was measured by a vaginal photoplethysmograph. The women in the study also provided a continuous measure of their subjective responses by changing the position of a lever.

The women underwent testing on two occasions, once after laboratory-induced hyperventilation. In previous studies, Dr. Brotto determined that in normal women, hyperventilation, which activates the sympathetic nervous system, increased the change in vaginal pulse amplitude between neutral and erotic films.

In both the control women and the women with FSAD, the erotic film resulted in significant increases in vaginal pulse amplitude.