Viagra for sexual dysfunction in women

I recall some time ago reading an article about the potential for the use of Viagra in women where a Pfizer researcher made a remark to the effect that "We keep looking for a disorder in women for which Viagra might be the cure". Maybe they've found one: Female Sexual Arousal Disorder, in which women "experience inability to achieve or maintain an adequate "lubrication-swelling response of sexual excitement", according to the DSM-IV.

Notice that as with men, if low libido is a problem ("hypoactive sexual desire disorder", a lack of interest in sex) Viagra is not of much help.

J Urol. 2003 Dec;170(6 Pt 1):2333-8.

Safety and efficacy of sildenafil citrate for the treatment of female sexual arousal disorder: a double-blind, placebo controlled study.

Berman JR, Berman LA, Toler SM, Gill J, Haughie S; Sildenafil Study Group.

Department of Urology, University of California-Los Angeles Medical Center, 90024, USA. [email protected]

PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in spontaneously or surgically postmenopausal women with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sildenafil (a 50 mg dose adjustable to 100 or 25 mg) was evaluated in a 12-week, double-blind, placebo controlled study in 202 postmenopausal women with FSAD who had protocol specified estradiol and free Testosterone concentrations, and/or were receiving estrogen and/or androgen replacement therapy. Patients were excluded if emotional, relationship or historical abuse issues contributed significantly to sexual dysfunction. Primary end points were questions 2 (increased genital sensation during intercourse or stimulation) and 4 (increased satisfaction with intercourse and/or foreplay) from the Female Intervention Efficacy Index (FIEI). Secondary end points were the remaining questions from this index, the Sexual Function Questionnaire and sexual activity event log questions. RESULTS: Significant improvements in FIEI questions 2 (p = 0.017) and 4 (p = 0.015) were noted with sildenafil compared with placebo. For women with FSAD without concomitant hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) sildenafil was associated with significantly greater improvement in 5 of 6 FIEI items compared with placebo (p <0.02). No significant improvements were shown for women with concomitant HSDD. Most adverse events were mild to moderate with headache, flushing, rhinitis, nausea and visual symptoms reported most frequently. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil was effective and well tolerated in postmenopausal women with FSAD without concomitant HSDD or contributory emotional, relationship or historical abuse issues. All patients had protocol specified estradiol and free testosterone concentrations or were receiving estrogen and/or androgen replacement therapy.