Female Viagra discovered by accident

A new drug, dubbed the "Viagra for women" has been developed, completely by accident. The drug, known as Flibanserin, was unsuccessful as an anti depressant during clinical trials, but did effectively increase sexual desire and satisfaction in women.

Professor John Thorp who headed the trials, claims that although Flibanserin failed to do what it was designed to do, "astute observers noted that it increased libido in laboratory animals and humans" – The Sun,09. The study involves 2,000 pre-menopasual women aged 18 upwards. They had all been pre diagnosed with "hypoactive sexual desire disorder".

Female sexual dysfunction affects a large proportion of the female population. The most frequently reported FSD condition is a low sex drive. The male version of Viagra was also an accidental discovery after it had initially been developed to treat angina.

The women who took part in the clinical trials were tested for 6 months. The breakthrough has come over a decade after the initial discovery of Viagra and may well prove to deliver an effective solution for a problem that is reported to affect up to 26% of women, depending on age and whether they are going through the menopause.

The drug has however, proved somewhat controversial and a topic debate amongst experts. Certain figures in the industry argue that pharmaceutical companies are embellishing on the number of women who are actually affected by FSD (Female sexual dysfunction) and a subsequent reduction in their libido. They also feel that they are simply pushing a medication that will not effectively deal any underlying physiological issues.