ORLANDO - May 25, 2002 - Women with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) showed increased subjective and objective sexual responses after using topical alprostadil solution - which dilates local blood vessels where applied - according to a new study conducted by Marc Gittelman, M.D., medical director of South Florida Medical Research and clinical director of his practice Uro-medix in Miami, FL. He will present the findings at the American Urological Association Annual Scientific Meeting during a poster session on May 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
FSAD is a subtype of female sexual dysfunction (FSD), common in women who are postmenopausal. The other subtypes include decreased sexual desire disorder, orgasmic disorder and sexual pain disorders.
Seventy-eight women, ages 40 to 70, with FSAD and stable hormonal replacement participated. Half of the group received placebo and the other half received topical alprostadil to apply to the clitoris and surrounding tissues. Patients recorded their sexual responses - genital lubrication, pelvic fullness, pelvic warmth/tingling, level of sexual arousal and level of sexual satisfaction - to explicit videos.
All women who received alprostadil had increased localized blood flow to the vulva and increased genital lubrication - both signs of positive sexual response. There were no reports of significant side effects.
"Female sexual dysfunction is very common, occurring in 20 to 50 percent of the general population, while one survey indicates that 20 percent of adult women have female sexual arousal disorder," said Gittelman. "To date, there are no FDA approved pharmacological treatments for this disorder, but topical alprostadil may be an appropriate on-demand treatment for women suffering from female sexual arousal disorder."
