Report says female sexual dysfunction needs more attention

Female sexual dysfunction, the condition which some estimate to affect more than 1 in 10 women, should be given more attention by the medical community. This is the argument put forward in a new report published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

The report notes that the male impotence drug, Viagra, may be helpful for women with low libidos. However, it says that very few studies have looked into this.

The paper also emphasises that despite a large number of women suffering from a lack of sexual desire, there are very few treatments available for female sexual dysfunction. Information about FSD is relatively scarce.

Definition difficulties

Part of the problem is that FSD is hard to define. Unlike male sexual dysfunction, quantifiable because the sufferer cannot obtain an erection, FSD is vaguer. Experts say it is characterised by a range of symptoms, including lack of ability to orgasm, fewer sexually satisfying events, and painful or uncomfortable sex. Psychological causes such as stress at work, or an unhappy relationship can also trigger FSD. Because symptoms are so diverse, treating FSD with a single pill is difficult, experts have explained.

There is some evidence that FSD may be more common than experts are estimating. According to the news channel Live Science, one in four women have difficulty in reaching orgasm.

Flibanserin hopes dashed

Earlier this year it was believed that Flibanserin, a drug that was originally developed as an anti-depressant, would soon become available to help women with FSD. However, the Food and Drug Administration in America rejected the treatment, deeming it “unclear” whether the drug was entirely safe and free from side effects. Aside from testosterone patches such as Intrinsa, there are few medications that are currently available to assist women with low sex drives.

Female sexual dysfunction is relatively new as a labelled disorder. AWith experts beginning to look into the problem of FSD more and more, it is likely that new treatment options will become available.