New Sex Booster For Women
There may soon be "his" and "hers" drugs for sexual dysfunction. With the unprecedented popularity of Viagra, pharmaceutical companies are developing medications for women. Four drugs are currently being studied at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
"Sexual dysfunction in women is much more complicated than male erectile dysfunction," says Raymond Rosen, PhD, professor of psychiatry at the school and one of the investigators. "But we have learned a great deal in just the last few years."
In one pilot study, Vasomax, an impotence drug not yet approved by regulators, was given to six women, average age 55, who had complained of lack of arousal. They took the pills while watching soft pornographic films. The study found increased lubrication, arousal and desire.
These studies will be expanded, and Rosen is very optimistic that some of the medications will work. But he's also cautious.
"I don't believe drugs are the ultimate answer," he says. "Sometimes sexual problems occur because a relationship is out of kilter. Couples must trust and feel trusted and they should feel close and comfortable with each other." In those cases, he says, counseling is often very helpful. But for those who experience sexual dysfunction for other reasons - for example, surgery or cancer therapy - medications may be very valuable.