Objectives: Sildenafil has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction. The role of sildenafil in treating women with sexual dysfunction has heretofore not been reported. The purpose of this preliminary study was to ascertain the response of postmenopausal women with self-described sexual dysfunction treated with sildenafil for 3 months.
Methods: Thirty-three consecutive postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction based on history were entered in this open-label, nonrandomized study. All patients received 50 mg of sildenafil. Efficacy was assessed at weeks 4, 8, and 12 using a newly developed 9-item, self-administered Index of Female Sexual Function (IFSF) and a global efficacy question ([GEQ] Did treatment improve your sexual function?). The IFSF quantifies the domains of desire, quality of sexual intercourse, overall satisfaction with sexual function, orgasm, lubrication, and clitoral sensation.
Results: Of the group, 30 women (91 %) completed the study and were available for follow-up at 3 months. Mean baseline IFSF score before therapy was 24.8+/-9.8. Mean usage of sildenafil was 3.1+/-1.4 times per week for the duration of the study. The IFSF score improved to 29.5+/-7.6, 30.3+/-8.5, and 31.4+/-10.4 at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively (P = 0.25). Mean scores for questions 2 (lubrication), 8 (orgasm), and 9 (clitoral sensation) improved by 23.2%, 7.4%, and 31.3%, respectively, at 12 weeks. Seven women (21%) noted improvement on the GEQ. Overall, only 6 (18.1%) of 33 patients had a significant (more than 60% improvement in IFSF score) therapeutic response. Clitoral discomfort and "hypersensitivity" occurred in 7 women (21%), 3 of whom withdrew from the study. Other side effects, which did not result in withdrawal from the study, included headache (n = 5), dizziness (n = 4) and dyspepsia (n = 3).
Conclusions: The data suggest that sildenafil is well tolerated in postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction. Overall sexual function did not improve significantly, although there were changes in vaginal lubrication and clitoral sensitivity. The role of sildenafil in treating sexual dysfunction in various cohorts of women remains to be determined.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0090-4295(98)00633-5 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
A Comprehensive Comparative Study of Direct Vision Internal Urethrotomy and Urethroplasty in Short-Segment Bulbar Urethral Strictures.
Cureus
December 2024
Department of Urology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, IND.
Background Currently, there is no data on the prevalence of urethral stricture illness in India. For short-segment bulbar urethral stricture, end-to-end anastomosis is the gold standard of care. The purpose of this study was to find where the direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU) exists in today's era.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFatty acid synthase inhibition improves hypertension-induced erectile dysfunction by suppressing oxidative stress and NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent pyroptosis through activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
Front Immunol
January 2025
Department of Urology, Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent male sexual disorder, commonly associated with hypertension, though the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.
Objective: This study aims to explore the role of Fatty acid synthase (Fasn) in hypertension-induced ED and evaluate the therapeutic potential of the Fasn inhibitor C75.
Materials And Methods: Erectile function was assessed by determining the intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) ratio, followed by the collection of cavernous tissue for transcriptomic and non-targeted metabolomic analyses.
[Interplay between depression and sexuality].
Nervenarzt
January 2025
Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Asklepios Fachklinikum Tiefenbrunn, Deutschland37124, Rosdorf, Deutschland.
Background: Disorders of sexual function are a frequent comorbidity of depression and have complex interactions on psychological, sexual and relationship qualities.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of sexual functional disorders in depressed patients, the effects of antidepressant drugs and development of treatment recommendations.
Material And Method: Evaluation of the current literature and discussion of fundamental studies.
Effectiveness of Pelvic Floor Muscle and Education-based Therapies on Bladder, Bowel, Vaginal, Sexual, Psychological Function, Quality of Life, and Pelvic Floor Muscle Function in Females Treated for Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review.
Curr Oncol Rep
January 2025
Melbourne School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne; Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Purpose Of Review: Breast malignancy is the most common cancer in females. Symptoms of pelvic floor disorders and sexual dysfunction secondary to systemic cancer treatment may occur. Non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical conservative therapies, namely pelvic floor muscle (PFM) and education-based therapies, could be beneficial to reduce these symptoms in this population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEffects of inflammatory bowel diseases on sexual function in women.
Ir J Med Sci
January 2025
Department of Urology, Başkent University Alanya Application and Research Center, Antalya, Türkiye.
Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease that includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Studies found that 40-60% of women diagnosed with IBD have sexual dysfunction (SD).
Aims: To determine SD and associated factors in women with IBD.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!