Female Sexual Dysfunction: Bridging Contemporary Science with Ayurveda— A Comparative Review

Background: Sexual health is a crucial determinant of overall quality of life (QOL), encompassing physical, psychological, and interpersonal well-being. Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a multifactorial condition involving disturbances in desire, arousal, orgasm, and sexual pain. Despite affecting up to 40% of women globally, as reported in epidemiological studies, FSD remains underreported and inadequately addressed due to sociocultural barriers and limited awareness. Objective: To explore FSD through a comparative analysis of contemporary biomedical science and Ayurvedic principles, focusing on an integrative perspective and management approaches. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using classical Ayurvedic texts and contemporary scientific literature retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Relevant articles published between 2010 and 2026 were screened using predefined inclusion and relevance criteria, focusing on psychosexual, neurobiological, and Ayurvedic perspectives. Results: Conventional management includes pharmacological agents, hormonal therapies, and psychosexual counseling, although outcomes are often variable due to heterogeneity in response and potential adverse effects. Ayurvedic concepts, including vajikarana and apraharsha bhava, offer a holistic approach emphasizing mind-body interactions. Certain behavioral approaches described in classical texts parallel psychosexual mechanisms involving neuroendocrine and limbic pathways. Additionally, vrishya dravyas (aphrodisiac substances) are traditionally described to support reproductive and psychological health, although current clinical evidence remains insufficient. Conclusion: An integrative model combining contemporary biomedical insights with Ayurvedic principles may offer a more comprehensive and culturally contextual understanding of FSD. However, further clinical and translational research is required to validate these correlations and establish evidence-based applications.