Will There Ever Be a Pink Viagra?
By: Nancy Wartik, November & December 2007 Source: AARP The Magazine Date Posted:
It’s a holy grail of the pharmaceutical industry: a wonder drug that could boost women’s waning libidos the way Viagra gives a boost to men with erectile dysfunction. In search of “pink Viagra,” drug companies have developed pills, creams, patches, and (believe it or not) clitoral pumps. But no magic formula seems on the horizon.
“There’s research going on, and a couple of things look quite promising,” says Sandra R. Leiblum, Ph.D., director of the Center for Sexual and Relationship Health at the UMDNJ–Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey. “But for so many women, emotional and interpersonal factors account for a lot of sexual enthusiasm.”
Still, by talking to your doctor, you may find that a prescription or over-the-counter drug can jump-start your limp libido. Possible candidates:
Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) Postmenopausal women who take estrogen, alone or with the hormone progestin, generally have fewer symptoms, such as vaginal dryness or pain, that make sex unpleasant; it’s not clear if ERT increases desire, as such. But recent studies linking ERT to increased cancer, stroke, or heart disease risk in some users mean you should discuss your medical history carefully with your doctor before starting this treatment.
Vaginal estrogen creams also relieve dryness or pain, at lower estrogen doses.
Testosterone Three years ago the FDA rejected Intrinsa, Procter & Gamble’s low-dose testosterone patch, which seemed slated to become the first prescription treatment for so-called female sexual dysfunction. Though it dashed some experts’ hopes for a drug shown to rekindle desire in a significant number of postmenopausal women, others applauded the FDA, noting, among other things, that studies of the drug had lasted only six months, leaving its long-term safety open to question. Research continues, though, and some doctors still prescribe testosterone off-label. But it’s hard to predict for which users the medication will work. It can raise cholesterol levels, so regular blood tests are a must.
Viagra It’s blue rather than pink, because it’s the same pill men take. For a small group of women, including some who are on libido-killing antidepressants such as Prozac, Viagra (generic name: sildenafil) may improve sex, perhaps because it increases blood flow to the genitals and increases vaginal lubrication. The drug doesn’t increase desire itself, however.
Alternative remedies Over-the-counter libido boosters, among them a variety of supplements and creams, are mostly unproven, so consult your doctor before trying them. But two products that have gotten scientific scrutiny are DHEA (the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone, secreted by the adrenal glands and converted in the body to estrogen and testosterone) and ArginMax, both sold in drug- and health food stores.
A small number of studies suggest DHEA can increase libido after menopause. But it doesn’t require FDA approval, and many experts have concerns about women taking a supplement that potentially raises hormone levels.
ArginMax contains the amino acid L-arginine, plus ginseng, ginkgo biloba, other herbs, and vitamins. One study of 77 women ages 22 to 71 found ArginMax tended to increase sexual desire and satisfaction in users.
Bremelanotide This medication, currently being tested as a nasal spray with both sexes, acts on the brain’s hypothalamus, which helps regulate sexuality. In a small study of postmenopausal women, bremelanotide got the majority of users hot and bothered. Should it win FDA approval, you might someday be able to sniff your way to better sex.
Additional Related Links
How To Regain an Active Sex Life at 50+
Message Board: Have You Experienced Changes in Your Sex Drive?
Modern Love: A Modern Guide to a No-Nonsense Life of Passion
Sex 2005: AARP Study Reveals a Revolution in the Making (July & August 2005)
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