Viagra For Men, But What About Women

Dear Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee,

If Viagra helps men with sexual arousal, then if a woman has problems getting sexual aroused, couldn't Viagra help them?

Signed,

Wondering

Dear Wondering,

Viagra is a medication for erectile dysfunction (ED or impotence), and helps many men to improve or achieve harder erections. ED medications such as Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra have been approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) for use by men only.

Studies are being conducted on products to help female sexual desire disorder. For example, one clinical study will examine the drug, Flibanserin, which was originally used to treat depression, but the side effect was increased sex drive. Another clinical study will re-examine a testosterone patch (Intrinsa) on post menopausal women to see if it helps improve low sexual interest. However, to date, there is no FDA approved drug to help increase the sexual arousal in females.

More information on hypoactive sexual desire disorder studies can be obtained by contacting the Women's Clinical Research Center at www.wcrcseattle.com