Female sexual dysfunction
Research from independent market analysis company Datamonitor found that more than 40% of women suffer from sexual problems, but fewer than 20% of them approach their physician for help. Part of the problem, say the researchers, is that female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is an ill-defined condition with a range of physical and psychological symptoms. With no widely accepted guidelines for diagnosing the condition, women seeking help for FSD can find themselves left with a diagnosis ranging from depression to dyspareunia, or even no diagnosis at all.
With no 'female Viagra' yet available, there is little incentive for women to seek help in the first place. However, hope is on the horizon, with both a testosterone patch, P&G's Intrinsa, aimed at problems of libido, and Pfizer's Viagra (sildenafil), currently in late stage development for FSD. If this drug, dubbed 'pink Viagra', is approved and launched, Datamonitor believes that in much the same way as has been seen with erectile dysfunction, far greater numbers of women will acknowledge their sexual problems and seek help.
However, FSD, which affects an estimated 43% of the female adult population — equating to 90m individuals across the US, Europe and Japan — remains a taboo subject Although this 43% almost certainly includes women experiencing transitory problems, for which neither extended psychological therapy or drug treatment would be appropriate, it is clear that the number of women suffering from sexual dysfunction is far larger than many physicians previously imagined.
Many of these women experience ongoing sexual difficulties, but choose simply to put up with them, whether as a result of embarrassment, lack of awareness of available treatments or concerns about potential costs. In other cases, women may simply accept their problems as an unwelcome component of sexual relationships, and have no idea that what they consider normal sexual functioning may not be the same for their peers. Part of the problem in attempting to treat FSD is the difficulty in effectively diagnosing the condition. The most widely used classification system for FSD – DSM-IV – outlines four key classes of sexual dysfunction in women: disorders of sexual desire, difficulty experiencing sexual arousal, orgasmic disorders and sexual pain disorders.
However, some clinicians object to what is seen as the 'medicalisation' of the condition, arguing that equal attention should be given to the psychological, social and political issues that can lead to women experiencing sexual problems.
The fact that there are currently no approved drug treatments may be a further deterrent to women seeking help, as they feel that there are few options available to them other than sexual therapy. Although helpful for some women, for others, particularly those without the support of their partner, an extended course of therapy may not be an attractive option.
Dr Jane Richardson, women's health analyst at Datamonitor, commented: 'Since the launch of Viagra the taboo surrounding erectile dysfunction has dissipated. While it is traditionally thought that women are far more likely to discuss sex with their friends, there remains a distinct difference between discussing sex and admitting to sexual difficulties.
'Physician opinion surrounding the use of drug therapy in FSD remains divided. Nevertheless, the approval of Viagra and Intrinsa, and accompanying trial data, could drive a massive surge in presentation and treatment rates, as physicians offer women therapeutic 'trials' of FSD therapies as an alternative to psychological therapy.'
Source: Datamonitor