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Female Viagra
Dr. Beatrice Robinson
discusses female Viagra Feb. 13 on the KARE-11 Today Show.
Is there really a female version of Viagra? How does it work and who should take it?
Robinson
:
It is the samethere is no female version.
Has been studied in womendoes not improve libido but may improve
arousal. There are no different side
effects known--it is not studied yet extensively in women.
Key Points
:
Viagra does not improve
libido, the most common sexual dysfunction in this country.
Studies are ongoing to see
if it improves arousal (lubrication) in women, analogous to erection in men.
Sexual dysfunction of many
types are simply not openly discussed often in patient-to-physician
conversations.
Libido is only loosely
associated with testosterone. Some women with high libido have low testosterone
and some women with low libido have high testosterone.
Remedies
:
There are currently no FDA approved treatments for women with low libido. Many
physicians prescribe testosterone for women who have had their ovaries removed
as half of womens testosterone comes from ovaries, with the other half from
the adrenal glands. There are few
well-designed controlled studies looking at this issue. Much more research
needs to be done.
Resources
:
Sex Over Forty by Saul
Rosenthal
Center for Sexual Health at
the University of Minnesota, 612-625-1500, www.med.umn.edu/fp/phs/phsindex.htm
Dr. Robinson is a faculty member in the University of
Minnesota Medical School, Department of Family Practice and Community Health
and a practicing physician with University of Minnesota Physicians, 612-625-1500.
The Health Talk & You Web site provides general information
on health-related topics. The information is for general health education
purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. Specific advice
on diagnosing or treating a health care problem should be obtained from a
health care provider. Visit University
of Minnesota Physicians for a list of medical specialties at the University
of Minnesota, or call 612-672-7422.
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