eSense Health's digital therapy program offers hope for sexual desire disorder, study finds

A clinical trial has shown that a digital mental health program could significantly improve sexual wellbeing in women suffering from Female Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (SIAD) - a condition that affects up to 40% of women, but which remains widely underdiagnosed and untreated.

The randomized controlled trial, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), enrolled 129 women across Canada and the United States who had been diagnosed with SIAD. Participants were randomly assigned to either a CBT version of the program, an MBT version, or a waitlist control group.

The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Behaviour Research and Therapy, support the efficacy of eSense, an interactive, self-guided platform that delivers evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Therapy (MBT) through private, online modules.

Developed by Vancouver-based startup eSense Health, the program is designed to address persistent sexual concerns such as low desire, difficulty with arousal, and discomfort during intimacy - issues often linked to life stages like menopause or experiences of trauma, and which are rarely treated due to stigma and lack of access to care.

Those in the treatment arms reported statistically significant improvements in sexual desire, decreased distress, and increased satisfaction. These benefits were sustained at a six-month follow-up, and notably, participants with a history of sexual trauma experienced similar gains - including reductions in trauma-related symptoms.

“Sexual health is a vital part of overall well-being, yet so many women face these challenges in silence,” said Dr. Lori Brotto, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia and Canada Research Chair in Women’s Sexual Health.

“This study shows that evidence-based care can be delivered digitally—privately, affordably, and effectively. With eSense, we’re offering women real solutions, grounded in science, that they can access on their own terms.”

High engagement with low-cost model

Rather than relying on therapists, the program uses trained 'navigators'—non-experts who provide encouragement and technical support but do not offer formal therapy. This design helps keep costs low and accessibility high, and participants in the trial responded positively to the model, with the platform earning strong satisfaction ratings and an attrition rate of just 20%, well below typical averages for digital health tools.

Ariana, one of the study participants, said:

“eSense helped me challenge negative thoughts around my sexuality—and those skills carried into other parts of my life. Working with the navigator made it easier to talk about sex, improving communication with my partner and even my friends. I finished the program feeling more empowered, more connected to my body, and more open to positive and enjoyable sexual experiences.”

Prior to its wider release, eSense will be offered in a commercial pilot program in the coming weeks.

“These findings validate what we’ve built—a scalable, accessible, and user-friendly solution to one of the most underserved areas in women’s health,” said Elayne Wandler, CEO of eSense Health.

“As awareness around sexual health and menopause continues to grow, eSense is poised to meet that need with care women can trust.”