Women's Sex Drive Explained by Brain Activity?

Is the brain wired for sex?

A new study by the Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics and Gynecology of Wayne State University in Detroit finds that women who have a low sex drive have different patterns of brain activity from those whose sex drive is considered normal.

So what does that mean for many couples?

CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton explained that, with women, many factors are involved in sex drive.

"This was a very small observational study (of 26 women), but (it) had very interesting findings," she said. "They compared two groups of women: women with normal sexual function and women with low libido. (Researchers) showed both groups stimulating images, then compared their brain activity with a functional MRI, and found that the groups had very different areas and levels of the brain activated. So again, very different between those two groups."

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But what causes low sex drive?

Among men, Ashton said, it's usually just a physical process problem. With women, on the other hand, the process is much more complicated, ranging from hormonal changes to depression and stress and anxiety and medications.

Ashton said, ironically, anti-depressants can lower libido among women.

So what can women do to improve their libido?

Ashton said a female version of Viagra is being aggressively pursued by pharmaceutical companies.

"That really doesn't exist yet, so, (as for) things that can help women with a variety of sexual issues, first of all, just being in a good state of health. Exercising, being physically active outside the bedroom - believe it or not - is going to help you in the bedroom. There are some medications, though they're not in widespread use yet, they can be effective for women, even some herbal therapies. And lastly, and probably underutilized by so many women, a sex therapist. Women still feel that taboo of not wanting to discuss this - (it) can be very helpful."