 |
|
Viagra for women? Drug developed as antidepressant effective in treating low libido
November 16, 2009Pooled results from three separate clinical trials of flibanserin, a drug originally created as an antidepressant, show it is effective in treating women with acquired hypoactive sexual desire disorder. These trials were the first ever to test a therapy that works at the level of the brain to enhance libido in women reporting low sexual desire.
CHAPEL HILL - The drug flibanserin, which was originally created as an antidepressant, is effective in treating women with low libido, pooled results from three separate clinical trials have found.
These trials were the first ever to test a therapy that works at the level of the brain to enhance libido in women reporting low sexual desire, said John M. Thorp Jr., M.D., McAllister distinguished professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and the principal investigator for North America in the studies.
"Flibanserin was a poor antidepressant," Thorp said. "However, astute observers noted that it increased libido in laboratory animals and human subjects. So, we conducted multiple clinical trials and the women in our studies who took it for hypoactive sexual desire disorder reported significant improvements in sexual desire and satisfactory sexual experiences.
"It's essentially a Viagra-like drug for women in that diminished desire or libido is the most common feminine sexual problem, like erectile dysfunction is in men," Thorp said.
Studies have shown that the prevalence of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in the U.S. ranges from 9 percent to 26 percent of women, depending on age and menopausal status. Flibanserin is currently an investigational drug and is available only to women taking part in clinical trials.
The results reported here were presented Monday, Nov. 16, at the Congress of the European Society for Sexual Medicine in Lyon, France. The presentation was given by Elaine E. Jolly, M.D., overall principal investigator and a professor at the University of Ottawa in Canada.
Jolly, Thorp and colleagues pooled data from four clinical trials of flibanserin conducted in the U.S., Canada and Europe. A total of 1,946 pre-menopausal women ages 18 and older were randomized to receive either flibanserin or placebo for 24 weeks, with 4 weeks of pre-treatment baseline measurement and 4 weeks of post-treatment follow-up.
Initially, four different dosing regimens were used in the trials: 25 milligrams twice a day, 50 milligrams once a day at bedtime, 50 milligrams twice a day and 100 milligrams once a day at bedtime. The dosing regimens totaling 50 milligrams a day were not effective while the regimens totaling 100 milligrams were. So, the results being reported are from only three of the four trials and are based on the 100 milligrams once a day dosing regimen only.
The trials measured mean changes from baseline on the following six variables as reported by the women each week: number of satisfying sexual events (SSE), electronic diary (eDiary) desire score, female sexual function index (FSFI) desire domain score, FSFI total score, female sexual distress scale-revised (FSDR-R), and FSDR-R Item 13 (which focuses specifically on desire/libido).
The researchers concluded that treatment with 100 milligrams of flibanserin once a day was associated with significant improvements versus placebo in the number of satisfying sexual events (SSE) reported, sexual desire (as measured by eDiary and FSFI desire domain), a reduction in distress associated with sexual dysfunction (as measured by FSDS-R and its Item 13), and sexual functioning as measured by FSFI.
"These results point to a novel approach to pharmacologic treatment of the sexual problem that plagues reproductive age women the most, and may over time prove to be an effective treatment without the side effects of androgen replacement therapy, which is the only treatment currently available," Thorp said.
The trials were funded by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of flibanserin.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
"Flibanserin was a poor antidepressant," Thorp said. "However, astute observers noted that it increased libido in laboratory animals and human subjects. So, we conducted multiple clinical trials and the women in our studies who took it for hypoactive sexual desire disorder reported significant improvements in sexual desire and satisfactory sexual experiences.
"It's essentially a Viagra-like drug for women in that diminished desire or libido is the most common feminine sexual problem, like erectile dysfunction is in men," Thorp said.
Studies have shown that the prevalence of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in the U.S. ranges from 9 percent to 26 percent of women, depending on age and menopausal status. Flibanserin is currently an investigational drug and is available only to women taking part in clinical trials.
The results reported here were presented Monday, Nov. 16, at the Congress of the European Society for Sexual Medicine in Lyon, France. The presentation was given by Elaine E. Jolly, M.D., overall principal investigator and a professor at the University of Ottawa in Canada.
Jolly, Thorp and colleagues pooled data from four clinical trials of flibanserin conducted in the U.S., Canada and Europe. A total of 1,946 pre-menopausal women ages 18 and older were randomized to receive either flibanserin or placebo for 24 weeks, with 4 weeks of pre-treatment baseline measurement and 4 weeks of post-treatment follow-up.
Initially, four different dosing regimens were used in the trials: 25 milligrams twice a day, 50 milligrams once a day at bedtime, 50 milligrams twice a day and 100 milligrams once a day at bedtime. The dosing regimens totaling 50 milligrams a day were not effective while the regimens totaling 100 milligrams were. So, the results being reported are from only three of the four trials and are based on the 100 milligrams once a day dosing regimen only.
The trials measured mean changes from baseline on the following six variables as reported by the women each week: number of satisfying sexual events (SSE), electronic diary (eDiary) desire score, female sexual function index (FSFI) desire domain score, FSFI total score, female sexual distress scale-revised (FSDR-R), and FSDR-R Item 13 (which focuses specifically on desire/libido).
The researchers concluded that treatment with 100 milligrams of flibanserin once a day was associated with significant improvements versus placebo in the number of satisfying sexual events (SSE) reported, sexual desire (as measured by eDiary and FSFI desire domain), a reduction in distress associated with sexual dysfunction (as measured by FSDS-R and its Item 13), and sexual functioning as measured by FSFI.
"These results point to a novel approach to pharmacologic treatment of the sexual problem that plagues reproductive age women the most, and may over time prove to be an effective treatment without the side effects of androgen replacement therapy, which is the only treatment currently available," Thorp said.
The trials were funded by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of flibanserin.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
Sexual Desire Current Events and Sexual Desire News RSSWorkplace BPA exposure increases risk of male sexual dysfunction
High levels of workplace exposure to Bisphenol-A may increase the risk of reduced sexual function in men, according to a Kaiser Permanente study appearing in the journal Human Reproduction, published by Oxford Journals.
Drug shows promise in treating dangerous complication of erectile disorder
Thousands of men are afflicted with an embarrassing and painful condition that triggers spontaneous, long-lasting erections. There are limited treatment options, but a solution could be on the way thanks to new research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.
Men experience sexual dysfunction during hepatitis C therapy
Sexual impairment is common among men with chronic hepatitis C undergoing antiviral therapy, according to a new study in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute.
Female supervisors more susceptible to workplace sexual harassment
Women who hold supervisory positions are more likely to be sexually harassed at work, according to the first-ever, large-scale longitudinal study to examine workplace power, gender and sexual harassment.
Partner issues significantly influence women's sexual activity in later years, UCSF study shows
As a woman gets older, physical problems are less likely to influence whether she is sexually active than her partner's health or interest in sex.
Pros, cons of drug proven to prevent prostate cancer should be considered, researchers recommend
Findings by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers encourage men to weigh both the potential benefits and side effects of the drug finasteride before taking it to prevent prostate cancer.
Horphag's Prelox provides over-the-counter solution
For couples worldwide, erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the leading contributors to a man's inability to perform. As millions of men in America each year look for a solution, many seek alternative treatments to prescription medications and surgery that may have dangerous side effects.
Couples more likely to divorce if spouse develops cervical or testicular cancer
In the largest and most rigorous study to date investigating how cancer influences divorce, Norwegian researchers have found that marriages are no more likely than normal to break down unless a spouse develops cervical or testicular cancer.
Sexual function affected by stem cell transplant according to long-term study
A long-term study found that a type of stem cell transplant used for patients with life-threatening diseases, such as leukemia and lymphoma, results in decreased sexual function and activity for recipients.
Low libido in menopause linked to trouble sleeping
Women whose sexual desire diminishes during menopause are more likely to report disturbed sleep, depression symptoms, and night sweats.
More Sexual Desire Current Events and Sexual Desire News Articles
 |
Sexual Desire: A Philosophical Investigation by Roger Scruton (Author) A passionate and consoling study of sexual love by one of Britain's finest philosophers. "A dazzling treatise, as erudite and eloquent as Simone de Beauvoir's "The Second Sex" and considerably more sound in its conclusion." - "TLS". "He is an eloquent and practised writer" - "The Independent". When John desires Mary or Mary desires John, what does either of them want? What is meant by innocence, passion, love and arousal, desire, perversion and shame? These are just a few of the questions Roger Scruton addresses in this thought-provoking intellectual adventure. Beginning from purely philosophical premises, and ranging over human life, art and institutions, he surveys the entire field of sexuality. Equally dissatisfied with puritanism and permissiveness, he argues for a radical break with... |
 |
The Return of Desire: A Guide to Rediscovering Your Sexual Passion by Gina Ogden (Author) Drawing on three decades of experience as a sex therapist and sex researcher, Dr. Gina Ogden shows you how to: Open up to the four energies that spark desire Create heart-to-heart communication with your partner Transcend guilt, shame, and "good-girls-don't" messages Help heal the sexual wounds of abuse, addiction, affairs, and low self-esteem Enjoy sexual pleasure throughout your life span—from new love, to parenthood, and into your golden years To learn more about the author, Gina Ogden, go to www.ginaogden.com. |
 |
Rekindling Desire: A Step by Step Program to Help Low-Sex and No-Sex Marriages by Barry W. McCarthy (Author), Emily J. McCarthy (Author) Is sex more work than play in your marriage? Do you schedule it in like a dentist appointment? Do you make love once a month, twice at the most? If you answered yes to these questions, you are among the forty million Americans trapped in a low-sex or no-sex marriage. Now there is help from nationally acclaimed sex and marital experts Barry and Emily McCarthy, who for years have helped couples break down the barriers that have developed between them, and rebuild closeness and longing. Their groundbreaking ten-step program is designed to get sex and intimacy back into these marriages and revitalize relationships. Crafted by years of clinical practice, Rekindling Desire first shows couples how to root out the "poisons" that inhibit sexual desire: shame, guilt, anger, passivity, as... |
 |
Reclaiming Your Sexual Self: How You Can Bring Desire Back Into Your Life by Kathryn Hall Ph.D. (Author) A drug-free, holistic program for treating low libido in women Recent revelations about hormone replacement therapy have many women looking for alternate solutions to low sexual desire. Reclaiming Your Sexual Self helps women regain that desire without drugs or long-term psychotherapy. It offers the validating view that women's sexual feelings provide important information about the nature and quality of their lives and relationships. Instead of trying to override lack of interest in sex, women should listen to their bodies and their brains. The author shows that by understanding what inhibits and excites sexual passion, readers can take charge of their sexual health and well-being. Kathryn Hall, PhD (Princeton, NJ), is a clinical psychologist with more than 20 years of... |
 |
Women Extenze Female Sexual Enhancement Tablet 30-count Box by Women Extenze Women ExtneZe is a once daily tablet for Natural Female Sexual Enhancement. Gynecologist Formulated For Women. Women Extenze is from the same maker as Extenze, the Male Enhancement Pill that has sold over 1 billion tablets worldwide. |
 |
Desire Under the Elms Starring: Sophia Loren, Anthony Perkins, Burl Ives, Frank Overton, Pernell Roberts Directed By: Delbert Mann Also With: Daniel L. Fapp (Cinematographer), George Boemler (Editor), Don Hartman (Producer), Eugene O'Neill (Writer), Irwin Shaw (Writer) In DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS, Anna poses tough competition to Ephraim’s bitter sons from his previous marriages, who believe they, not their new stepmother, should inherit all his land. Things heat up when Anna and Ephraim’s son, Eben spend a night of passion together. |
 |
Sounds of Love to Stimulate Sexual Desire Sounds of Love and Relaxation Music (Primary Contributor) |
 |
The Nature of Sexual Desire by James Giles (Author) Although there has been much discussion about things like the causes, loss, and maintenance of sexual desire, there has been little research into the nature of sexual desire itself. Consequently, most of the discussions on these topics have gone on without any clear idea about what it is that is being discussed. Readers will be interested that at last there is a full-length book that attempts to say what sexual desire is. |
 |
BMV Quantum Subliminal CD Sexual Anorexia Aid: Stop Frigidity (Ultrasonic Subliminal Series) Program your subconscious mind to overcome sexual anorexia, reduce sexual frigidity, increase sex drive and enjoy your sex life. Create amazing results using state-of-the-art subliminal and brainwave entrainment technologies. Tune your brainwaves to specific frequencies by listening to this CD! Program your subconscious mind for positive lasting results, created by a Certified Hypnotherapist and NLP Practitioner (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). Silent affirmations, inaudible hypnotic suggestions and thousands of powerful subliminal messages program your subconscious mind for positive results. The first 3 tracks have an ocean background. The Silent Ultrasonic Track 4 is completely silent with no sound at all! BMV exclusive Quantum Subliminal Matrix Technology sets a new standard for the... |
 |
A Streetcar Named Desire Starring: Karl Malden Kim Hunter Directed By: Elia Kazan Also With: Vivian Leigh Marlon Brando (Primary Contributor) Set in the French Quarter of New Orleans during the restless years following World War Two, A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE is the story of Blanche DuBois, a fragile and neurotic woman on a desperate prowl for someplace in the world to call her own. After being exiled from her hometown of Laurel, Mississippi for seducing a seventeen-year-old boy at the school where she taught English, Blanche explains her unexpected appearance on Stanley and Stella's (Blanche's sister) doorstep as nervous exhaustion. This, she claims, is the result of a series of financial calamities which have recently claimed the family plantation, Belle Reve. Suspicious, Stanley points out that "under Louisiana's napoleonic code what belongs to the wife belongs to the husband." Stanley, a sinewy and brutish man, is as... |
| © 2010 BrightSurf.com |