Viagra for women with sexual dysfunction

Similar to what has been shown in men, Viagra (sildenafil) appears to be a useful treatment for women with sexual dysfunction related to the use of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). In 25 percent of patients with sexual dysfunction, the cause is linked to the medications they're taking. Antidepressants are especially well known for causing sexual adverse effects. The problem is that these sexual side effects often cause patients to stop taking their antidepressants, which can have serious, even fatal, consequences. Previous research has shown that Viagra improves sexual function in men with SSRI-related erectile dysfunction. Twice as many women have depression as men and three times as many women are on antidepressants. Hence, the researchers decided to look at Viagra's effects in women too. Researchers from the University of New Mexico, USA, studied 100 women with major depression in remission and SSRI-related sexual dysfunction, who were randomised to receive Viagra or a placebo, prior to sexual activity. An 8-week randomised phase was then followed by an 8-week open label phase. The main outcome measure was the Clinical Global Impression-Sexual Function (CGI-SF) score. Sixty-nine percent of Viagra-treated women versus only 29 percent of placebo-treated women responded. Viagra also provided greater improvements in arousal, orgasm, and overall satisfaction, but the differences versus placebo were not statistically significant. Depression remained in remission in all patients. The message to physicians prescribing antidepressants is to tell their patients not to stop these drugs if sexual side effects occur. Instead, they should encourage the patient to discuss these effects and assure them that they can often be addressed without stopping their antidepressant.