The first prescription treatment for women with a flagging libido could enter the market next year, and a second, related product might not be far behind.
Both deliver testosterone through the skin and are aimed at women who have had their ovaries removed, causing them to go into menopause. (Although testosterone is thought of as a male hormone, women's ovaries and adrenal glands produce small amounts.) The resulting low testosterone levels are associated with decreased sexual desire — thus the new products' nickname: "female Viagra."
Some observers are concerned that women who don't have low testosterone but want to boost their sex drive will get prescriptions. Already, some doctors have prescribed testosterone treatments approved only for men to postmenopausal women.
"It does need to be emphasized that this is not a benign drug in women," says endocrinologist Adrian Dobs of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Over time, excessive testosterone can lead to facial hair growth, deepening of the voice and other signs of masculinization in women, Dobs says.
Testosterone can't fix all causes of low libido in women, such as vaginal dryness or relationship problems. "No one drug has been found to be the miracle treatment for men or women," Dobs says.
In a statement, Antares Pharma CEO Jack Stover said "credible estimates" put the U.S. market for testosterone products for women at $1 billion to $4 billion. The market for erectile dysfunction pills for men stands at $1.2 billion, says IMS Health. Expanded safety and effectiveness trials of its LibiGel are to begin next year, Antares says.
Procter & Gamble, maker of Intrinsa, a testosterone patch that could hit the market next spring, says about 10 million U.S. women have gone through surgical menopause. A third have low sexual desire, and half of that group are bothered by it, the company says.
That means roughly 1.65 million U.S. women might be candidates for Intrinsa or LibiGel, but their inventors have their eyes on a much bigger market: women who went through natural menopause.
P&G spokeswoman Elaine Plummer says her company will present data about Intrinsa in naturally menopausal women at a meeting next month. And Lawrence Christian, vice president of Antares, says he expects "off label" use of Intrinsa and LibiGel by women who still have their ovaries.(Ref: By Rita Rubin, USA TODAY)
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Viagra to Improve-Sexual Function in Women
VIAGRA SHOWN TO IMPROVE SEXUAL FUNCTION IN WOMEN
Viagra, the drug that improves sexual function in some men, may do the same for women who have gone through menopause or had a hysterectomy, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center reported today.
"Previous studies of Viagra (sildenafil) in males were based on self-reporting of increased sexual arousal," says senior author Toby Chai, M.D., assistant professor of urology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "This is the first evidence that Viagra does, in fact, increase blood flow to the sex organs."
Results of the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 17 women with an average age of 45 were reported at the American Urological Association 1999 Annual Scientific meeting in Dallas.
The study measured genital blood flow velocity (using duplex doppler ultrasonography), vaginal pH levels and vaginal elasticity in women who were given Viagra and a placebo at different times. Each of the patients either had gone through menopause or had a hysterectomy, a procedure that can in some cases damage nerves in the same way that prostate surgery can affect men's sexual function.
"The female sexual response has been difficult to quantify and evaluate objectively," says Chai. "Although there was a limited number of women in this study, Viagra does appear to enhance the objective and subjective female sexual response."
The AUA meeting is the largest and most important annual forum for presenting new research findings related to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of genitourinary diseases.
Viagra, the drug that improves sexual function in some men, may do the same for women who have gone through menopause or had a hysterectomy, researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center reported today.
"Previous studies of Viagra (sildenafil) in males were based on self-reporting of increased sexual arousal," says senior author Toby Chai, M.D., assistant professor of urology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "This is the first evidence that Viagra does, in fact, increase blood flow to the sex organs."
Results of the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 17 women with an average age of 45 were reported at the American Urological Association 1999 Annual Scientific meeting in Dallas.
The study measured genital blood flow velocity (using duplex doppler ultrasonography), vaginal pH levels and vaginal elasticity in women who were given Viagra and a placebo at different times. Each of the patients either had gone through menopause or had a hysterectomy, a procedure that can in some cases damage nerves in the same way that prostate surgery can affect men's sexual function.
"The female sexual response has been difficult to quantify and evaluate objectively," says Chai. "Although there was a limited number of women in this study, Viagra does appear to enhance the objective and subjective female sexual response."
The AUA meeting is the largest and most important annual forum for presenting new research findings related to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of genitourinary diseases.
Friday, June 27, 2008
How to Impress Funny Girl
The most important thing is not to try too hard. If you talk honestly for long enough, you will probably say something funny. Oh -- but one thing. If any of the following happens to be your honest opinion, don't share it: • Jon Stewart, now he should run for president • Oh, my God, I was such a nerd in high school • Saturday Night Live is not as good as it used to be • You know who I love and I'm not embarrassed to admit it? Justin Timberlake. These are not funny-true; these opinions are so prevalent that your funny girl already thought of them long ago, and they will force her to fake laugh/fake find you interesting. The thing is, it's not all about you. She's working her ass off trying to make you laugh. If you laugh enough, it will create a general atmosphere of mirth. She'll have this feeling, like, Oh, there is chuckling happening here. Is it you? Is it me? Who knows! I'm totally gonna have sex with this guy. I guarantee the next day she'll describe you to her friends as this really funny guy. We funny girls are kind of easy to manipulate in this way. Really, a funny girl wants what other girls want: for you to think she's hot. Also, we are insecure. All I can think about now is why you didn't ask me, "How do we impress a hot girl?"
99- Facts About Guys
1. Guys don’t actually look after good-looking girls. they prefer neat and presentable girls.
2. Guys hate flirts.
3. A guy can like you for a minute, and then forget you afterwards.
4. When a guy says he doesn’t understand you, it simply means you’re not thinking the way he is.
5. “Are you doing something?” or “Have you eaten already?” are the first usual questions a guy asks on the phone just to get out from stammering.
6. Guys may be flirting around all day but before they go to sleep, they always think about the girl they truly care about.
7. When a guy really likes you, he’ll disregard all your bad characteristics.
8. Guys go crazy over a girl’s smile.
9. Guys will do anything just to get the girl’s attention.
10. Guys hate it when you talk about your ex-boyfriend.
11. When guys want to meet your parents. Let them. …….dont think so
12. Guys want to tell you many things but they can’t. And they have one habit to gain courage and spirit to tell you many things and it is drinking! but do not generalise
13. Guys cry!!!
14. Don’t provoke the guy to heat up. Believe me. He will.
15. Guys can never dream and hope too much.
16. Guys usually try hard to get the girl who has dumped them, and this makes it harder for them to accept their defeat.
17. When you touch a guy’s heart, there’s no turning back.
18. Giving a guy a hanging message like “You know what?!..uh…never mind!” would make him jump to a conclusion that is far from what you are thinking.
19. Guys go crazy when girls touch their hands……yeh rite - watever.
20. Guys are good flatterers when courting but they usually stammer when they talk to a girl they really like.
21. When a guy makes a prolonged “umm” or makes any excuses when you’re asking him to do you a favor, he’s actually saying that he doesn’t like you and he can’t lay down the card for you.
22. When a girl says “no”, a guy hears it as “try again tomorrow”. ……so true.
23. You have to tell a guy what you really want before he gets the message clearly.
24. Guys hate gays!
25. Guys love their moms.
26. A guy would sacrifice his money for lunch just to get you a couple of roses.
27. A guy often thinks about the girl who likes him. But this doesn’t mean that the guy likes her.
28. You can never understand him unless you listen to him.
29. If a guy tells you he loves you once in a lifetime. He does.
30. Beware. Guys can make gossips scatter through half of the face of the earth faster than girls can.
31. Like Eve, girls are guys’ weaknesses.
32. Guys are very open about themselves.
33. It’s good to test a guy first before you believe him. But don’t let him wait that long.
34. No guy is bad when he is courting
35. Guys hate it when their clothes get dirty. Even a small dot.
36. Guys really admire girls that they like even if they’re not that much pretty.
37. Your best friend, whom your boyfriend seeks help from about his problems with you may end up being admired by your boyfriend.
38. If a guy tells you about his problems, he just needs someone to listen to him. You don’t need to give advice…….very true.
39. A usual act that proves that the guy likes you is when he teases you.
40. A guy finds ways to keep you off from linking with someone else.
41. Guys love girls with brains more than girls in miniskirts. ……..sumtimes.
42. Guys try to find the stuffed toy a girl wants but would unluckily get the wrong one.
43. Guys virtually brag about anything.
44. Guys cannot keep secrets that girls tell them.
45. Guys think too much.
46. Guys’ fantasies are unlimited.
47. Girls’ height doesn’t really matter to a guy but her weight does!……very true.
48. Guys tend to get serious with their relationship and become too possessive. So watch out girls!!!
49. When a girl makes the boy suffer during courtship, it would be hard for him to let go of that girl.
50. It’s not easy for a guy to let go of his girlfriend after they broke up especially when they’ve been together for 3 years or more.
51. You have to tell a guy what you really want before getting involved with that guy.
52. A guy has to experience rejection, because if he’s too-good-never-been-busted, never been in love and hurt, he won’t be matured and grow up.
53. When an unlikable circumstance comes, guys blame themselves a lot more than girls do. They could even hurt themselves physically.
54. Guys have strong passion to change but have weak will power.
55. Guys are tigers in their peer groups but become tamed P**** with their girlfriends…..sumtimes depends wen they want sumat.
56. When a guy pretends to be calm, check if he’s sweating. You’ll probably see that he is nervous.
57. When a guy says he is going crazy about the girl. He really is.
58. When a guy asks you to leave him alone, he’s just actually saying, “Please come and listen to me”……sumtimes.
59. Guys don’t really have final decisions.
60. When a guy loves you, bring out the best in him.
61. If a guy starts to talk seriously, listen to him….very important.
62. If a guy has been kept shut or silent, say something.
63. Guys believe that there’s no such thing as love at first sight, but court the girls anyway and then realize at the end that he is wrong.
64. Guys like femininity not feebleness.
65. Guys don’t like girls who punch harder than they do.
66. A guy may instantly know if the girl likes him but can never be sure unless the girl tells him.
67. A guy would waste his time over video games and football, the way a girl would do over her romance novels and make-ups.
68. Guys love girls who can cook or bake. ….they love u regardless.
69. Guys like girls who are like their moms. No kidding!……true but only wen the guys are ready 2be settled down.
70. A guy has more problems than you can see with your naked eyes.
71. A guy’s friend knows everything about him. Use this to your advantage.
72. Don’t be a snob. Guys may easily give up on the first sign of rejection.
73. Don’t be biased. Try loving a guy without prejudice and you’ll be surprised.
74. Girls who bathe in their eau de perfumes do more repelling than attracting guys.
75. Guys are more talkative than girls are especially when the topic is about girls.
76. Guys don’t comprehend the statement “Get lost” too well.
77. Guys really think that girls are strange and have unpredictable decisions but still love them more.
78. When a guy gives a crooked or pretentious grin at your jokes, he finds them offending and he just tried to be polite.
79. Guys don’t care about how shiny their shoes are unlike girls.
80. Guys tend to generalize about girls but once they get to know them, they’ll realize they’re wrong.
81. Any guy can handle his problems all by his own. He’s just too stubborn to deal with it.
82. Guys find it so objectionable when a girl swears.
83. Guys’ weakest point is at the knee.
84. When a problem arises, a guy usually keeps himself cool but is already thinking of a way out.
85. When a guy is conscious of his looks, it shows he is not good at fixing things.
86. When a guy looks at you, either he’s amazed by you or he’s criticizing you.
87. When you catch him cheating on you and he asks for a second chance, give it to him. But when you catch him again and he asks for another chance, ignore him.
88. If a guy lets you go, he really loves you.
89. If you have a boyfriend, and your boy best friend always glances at you and it obviously shows that he is jealous whenever you’re with your boyfriend, all I can say is your boy best friend loves you more than your boyfriend does.
90. Guys learn from experience not from the romance books that girls read and take as their basis of experience.
91. You can tell if a guy is really hurt or in pain when he cries in front of you!
92. If a guy suddenly asks you for a date, ask him first why.
93. When a guy says he can’t sleep if he doesn’t hear your voice even just for one night, hang up. He also tells that to another girl. He only flatters you and sometimes makes fun of you.
94. You can truly say that a guy has good intentions if you see him praying sometimes.
95. Guys seek for advice not from a guy but from a girl.
96. Girls are allowed to touch boys’ things. Not their hair!
97. If a guy says you’re beautiful, that guy likes you.
98. Guys hate girls who overreact. ……sumtimes.
99. Guys love you more than you love them IF they are serious in your relationships.
2. Guys hate flirts.
3. A guy can like you for a minute, and then forget you afterwards.
4. When a guy says he doesn’t understand you, it simply means you’re not thinking the way he is.
5. “Are you doing something?” or “Have you eaten already?” are the first usual questions a guy asks on the phone just to get out from stammering.
6. Guys may be flirting around all day but before they go to sleep, they always think about the girl they truly care about.
7. When a guy really likes you, he’ll disregard all your bad characteristics.
8. Guys go crazy over a girl’s smile.
9. Guys will do anything just to get the girl’s attention.
10. Guys hate it when you talk about your ex-boyfriend.
11. When guys want to meet your parents. Let them. …….dont think so
12. Guys want to tell you many things but they can’t. And they have one habit to gain courage and spirit to tell you many things and it is drinking! but do not generalise
13. Guys cry!!!
14. Don’t provoke the guy to heat up. Believe me. He will.
15. Guys can never dream and hope too much.
16. Guys usually try hard to get the girl who has dumped them, and this makes it harder for them to accept their defeat.
17. When you touch a guy’s heart, there’s no turning back.
18. Giving a guy a hanging message like “You know what?!..uh…never mind!” would make him jump to a conclusion that is far from what you are thinking.
19. Guys go crazy when girls touch their hands……yeh rite - watever.
20. Guys are good flatterers when courting but they usually stammer when they talk to a girl they really like.
21. When a guy makes a prolonged “umm” or makes any excuses when you’re asking him to do you a favor, he’s actually saying that he doesn’t like you and he can’t lay down the card for you.
22. When a girl says “no”, a guy hears it as “try again tomorrow”. ……so true.
23. You have to tell a guy what you really want before he gets the message clearly.
24. Guys hate gays!
25. Guys love their moms.
26. A guy would sacrifice his money for lunch just to get you a couple of roses.
27. A guy often thinks about the girl who likes him. But this doesn’t mean that the guy likes her.
28. You can never understand him unless you listen to him.
29. If a guy tells you he loves you once in a lifetime. He does.
30. Beware. Guys can make gossips scatter through half of the face of the earth faster than girls can.
31. Like Eve, girls are guys’ weaknesses.
32. Guys are very open about themselves.
33. It’s good to test a guy first before you believe him. But don’t let him wait that long.
34. No guy is bad when he is courting
35. Guys hate it when their clothes get dirty. Even a small dot.
36. Guys really admire girls that they like even if they’re not that much pretty.
37. Your best friend, whom your boyfriend seeks help from about his problems with you may end up being admired by your boyfriend.
38. If a guy tells you about his problems, he just needs someone to listen to him. You don’t need to give advice…….very true.
39. A usual act that proves that the guy likes you is when he teases you.
40. A guy finds ways to keep you off from linking with someone else.
41. Guys love girls with brains more than girls in miniskirts. ……..sumtimes.
42. Guys try to find the stuffed toy a girl wants but would unluckily get the wrong one.
43. Guys virtually brag about anything.
44. Guys cannot keep secrets that girls tell them.
45. Guys think too much.
46. Guys’ fantasies are unlimited.
47. Girls’ height doesn’t really matter to a guy but her weight does!……very true.
48. Guys tend to get serious with their relationship and become too possessive. So watch out girls!!!
49. When a girl makes the boy suffer during courtship, it would be hard for him to let go of that girl.
50. It’s not easy for a guy to let go of his girlfriend after they broke up especially when they’ve been together for 3 years or more.
51. You have to tell a guy what you really want before getting involved with that guy.
52. A guy has to experience rejection, because if he’s too-good-never-been-busted, never been in love and hurt, he won’t be matured and grow up.
53. When an unlikable circumstance comes, guys blame themselves a lot more than girls do. They could even hurt themselves physically.
54. Guys have strong passion to change but have weak will power.
55. Guys are tigers in their peer groups but become tamed P**** with their girlfriends…..sumtimes depends wen they want sumat.
56. When a guy pretends to be calm, check if he’s sweating. You’ll probably see that he is nervous.
57. When a guy says he is going crazy about the girl. He really is.
58. When a guy asks you to leave him alone, he’s just actually saying, “Please come and listen to me”……sumtimes.
59. Guys don’t really have final decisions.
60. When a guy loves you, bring out the best in him.
61. If a guy starts to talk seriously, listen to him….very important.
62. If a guy has been kept shut or silent, say something.
63. Guys believe that there’s no such thing as love at first sight, but court the girls anyway and then realize at the end that he is wrong.
64. Guys like femininity not feebleness.
65. Guys don’t like girls who punch harder than they do.
66. A guy may instantly know if the girl likes him but can never be sure unless the girl tells him.
67. A guy would waste his time over video games and football, the way a girl would do over her romance novels and make-ups.
68. Guys love girls who can cook or bake. ….they love u regardless.
69. Guys like girls who are like their moms. No kidding!……true but only wen the guys are ready 2be settled down.
70. A guy has more problems than you can see with your naked eyes.
71. A guy’s friend knows everything about him. Use this to your advantage.
72. Don’t be a snob. Guys may easily give up on the first sign of rejection.
73. Don’t be biased. Try loving a guy without prejudice and you’ll be surprised.
74. Girls who bathe in their eau de perfumes do more repelling than attracting guys.
75. Guys are more talkative than girls are especially when the topic is about girls.
76. Guys don’t comprehend the statement “Get lost” too well.
77. Guys really think that girls are strange and have unpredictable decisions but still love them more.
78. When a guy gives a crooked or pretentious grin at your jokes, he finds them offending and he just tried to be polite.
79. Guys don’t care about how shiny their shoes are unlike girls.
80. Guys tend to generalize about girls but once they get to know them, they’ll realize they’re wrong.
81. Any guy can handle his problems all by his own. He’s just too stubborn to deal with it.
82. Guys find it so objectionable when a girl swears.
83. Guys’ weakest point is at the knee.
84. When a problem arises, a guy usually keeps himself cool but is already thinking of a way out.
85. When a guy is conscious of his looks, it shows he is not good at fixing things.
86. When a guy looks at you, either he’s amazed by you or he’s criticizing you.
87. When you catch him cheating on you and he asks for a second chance, give it to him. But when you catch him again and he asks for another chance, ignore him.
88. If a guy lets you go, he really loves you.
89. If you have a boyfriend, and your boy best friend always glances at you and it obviously shows that he is jealous whenever you’re with your boyfriend, all I can say is your boy best friend loves you more than your boyfriend does.
90. Guys learn from experience not from the romance books that girls read and take as their basis of experience.
91. You can tell if a guy is really hurt or in pain when he cries in front of you!
92. If a guy suddenly asks you for a date, ask him first why.
93. When a guy says he can’t sleep if he doesn’t hear your voice even just for one night, hang up. He also tells that to another girl. He only flatters you and sometimes makes fun of you.
94. You can truly say that a guy has good intentions if you see him praying sometimes.
95. Guys seek for advice not from a guy but from a girl.
96. Girls are allowed to touch boys’ things. Not their hair!
97. If a guy says you’re beautiful, that guy likes you.
98. Guys hate girls who overreact. ……sumtimes.
99. Guys love you more than you love them IF they are serious in your relationships.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Women Sexual Health
Approximately 43% of women suffer from some form of sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction in women is characterized by a lack of desire, arousal, or orgasm. Lack of desire is considered to be the most common complaint among these women. Approximately 20% of these women report having difficulties with lubrication, which can be assisted by Viagra-like drugs that may increase blood flow to the genitals.
Some common factors that inhibit women’s sexual health include:
*
family concerns
*
relationship concerns
*
illness or death
*
financial or job worries
*
childcare responsibilities
*
previous or current physical or emotional abuse
*
fatigue
*
depression
Physical factors that may be contributing to sexual dysfunction in women include:
*
hypertension
*
heart disease
*
cancer
*
diabetes
*
thyroid disorders
*
neurological diseases
*
autoimmune disorders such as lupus
*
prescription drugs such as anti-hypertensives and depression medication
*
over-the-counter medications
*
drug and alcohol abuse
Viagra Improves Sex for Postmenopausal Women
Pfizer Inc (maker of Viagra) funded the study which monitored 200 postmenopausal women with FSAD (female sexual arousal disorder).
100 women received Viagra while the other half were on a placebo. More women on Viagra (than the placebo) reported better sexual (more sexual) satisfaction. Some of the women on the placebo also reported an improvement (lower number than those on Viagra).
All the women who had hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) as well as FSAD reported no improvement at all.
The most common problem for women with FSAD is genital blood flow (which Viagra seems to be able to help). Women with HSDD have underlying emotional or relationship problems which lead to a reduction in sexual desire.
'Unresolved emotional or relational issues should be addressed before beginning medical therapies,' Berman her colleagues said (December issue of The Journal of Urology).
Those in the study included women who were postmenopausal (or had had a hysterectomy), aged from 30-71 (average age 51).
Two questions (asked after the women had taken the Viagra of Placebo) the team focussed on were:
1. After taking the study medication, the sensation/feeling in my genital (vagina, labia, clitoris) area during intercourse or stimulation seemed to be: (a) more than before, (b) less than before, or (c) unchanged.
2.
After taking the study medication, intercourse and/or foreplay was (a) pleasant and satisfying; better than before taking the study medication; (b) unpleasant; worse than before the study medication; (c) unchanged; no difference; or (d) pleasant but still not like it used to be or I would like it to be.
100 women received Viagra while the other half were on a placebo. More women on Viagra (than the placebo) reported better sexual (more sexual) satisfaction. Some of the women on the placebo also reported an improvement (lower number than those on Viagra).
All the women who had hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) as well as FSAD reported no improvement at all.
The most common problem for women with FSAD is genital blood flow (which Viagra seems to be able to help). Women with HSDD have underlying emotional or relationship problems which lead to a reduction in sexual desire.
'Unresolved emotional or relational issues should be addressed before beginning medical therapies,' Berman her colleagues said (December issue of The Journal of Urology).
Those in the study included women who were postmenopausal (or had had a hysterectomy), aged from 30-71 (average age 51).
Two questions (asked after the women had taken the Viagra of Placebo) the team focussed on were:
1. After taking the study medication, the sensation/feeling in my genital (vagina, labia, clitoris) area during intercourse or stimulation seemed to be: (a) more than before, (b) less than before, or (c) unchanged.
2.
After taking the study medication, intercourse and/or foreplay was (a) pleasant and satisfying; better than before taking the study medication; (b) unpleasant; worse than before the study medication; (c) unchanged; no difference; or (d) pleasant but still not like it used to be or I would like it to be.
Viagra Improves Sex for Postmenopausal Women
Pfizer Inc (maker of Viagra) funded the study which monitored 200 postmenopausal women with FSAD (female sexual arousal disorder).
100 women received Viagra while the other half were on a placebo. More women on Viagra (than the placebo) reported better sexual (more sexual) satisfaction. Some of the women on the placebo also reported an improvement (lower number than those on Viagra).
All the women who had hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) as well as FSAD reported no improvement at all.
The most common problem for women with FSAD is genital blood flow (which Viagra seems to be able to help). Women with HSDD have underlying emotional or relationship problems which lead to a reduction in sexual desire.
'Unresolved emotional or relational issues should be addressed before beginning medical therapies,' Berman her colleagues said (December issue of The Journal of Urology).
Those in the study included women who were postmenopausal (or had had a hysterectomy), aged from 30-71 (average age 51).
Two questions (asked after the women had taken the Viagra of Placebo) the team focussed on were:
1. After taking the study medication, the sensation/feeling in my genital (vagina, labia, clitoris) area during intercourse or stimulation seemed to be: (a) more than before, (b) less than before, or (c) unchanged.
2.
After taking the study medication, intercourse and/or foreplay was (a) pleasant and satisfying; better than before taking the study medication; (b) unpleasant; worse than before the study medication; (c) unchanged; no difference; or (d) pleasant but still not like it used to be or I would like it to be.
100 women received Viagra while the other half were on a placebo. More women on Viagra (than the placebo) reported better sexual (more sexual) satisfaction. Some of the women on the placebo also reported an improvement (lower number than those on Viagra).
All the women who had hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) as well as FSAD reported no improvement at all.
The most common problem for women with FSAD is genital blood flow (which Viagra seems to be able to help). Women with HSDD have underlying emotional or relationship problems which lead to a reduction in sexual desire.
'Unresolved emotional or relational issues should be addressed before beginning medical therapies,' Berman her colleagues said (December issue of The Journal of Urology).
Those in the study included women who were postmenopausal (or had had a hysterectomy), aged from 30-71 (average age 51).
Two questions (asked after the women had taken the Viagra of Placebo) the team focussed on were:
1. After taking the study medication, the sensation/feeling in my genital (vagina, labia, clitoris) area during intercourse or stimulation seemed to be: (a) more than before, (b) less than before, or (c) unchanged.
2.
After taking the study medication, intercourse and/or foreplay was (a) pleasant and satisfying; better than before taking the study medication; (b) unpleasant; worse than before the study medication; (c) unchanged; no difference; or (d) pleasant but still not like it used to be or I would like it to be.
Viagra for Women
In 2004, Pfizer Inc., the makers of the Viagra pill—introduced to improve men’s sexual health and functioning—announced that they would be abandoning eight years of previous research conducted in an attempt to develop a drug similar to Viagra to improve female libido and sexual health. Other products designed to improve sexual health in women are available.
In its efforts to develop a new antidepressant, a German drugmaker has stumbled upon a substance that increases female arousal .
German drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim didn't set out to create a Viagra-like drug for women. The company was simply trying to develop a fast-acting antidepressant, one that patients would respond to in a matter of days, not weeks as in most current treatments. By the late 1990s the company had developed a molecule called flibanserin that seemed to relieve stress in rats. But like many promising drugs, it flopped in human trials. Says Dr. Lutz Hilbrich, the company's executive director of general medicine: "We did not see the effect we were expecting."
But what they did see surprised them. Like all companies working on antidepressants, Boehringer surveyed patients in its clinical trial to assess dampening of libido, a well-established side effect. Far from complaining about a drop
in sexual desire and arousal, many of the women in the trial reported a surge.
The men had no such response—and neither group showed any improvement in mood. "It is an interesting drug," says Dr. André T. Guay, director of the Center for Sexual Function at the Lahey Clinic Northshore, Peabody, Mass., and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. "These things come about in strange ways."
In its efforts to develop a new antidepressant, a German drugmaker has stumbled upon a substance that increases female arousal .
German drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim didn't set out to create a Viagra-like drug for women. The company was simply trying to develop a fast-acting antidepressant, one that patients would respond to in a matter of days, not weeks as in most current treatments. By the late 1990s the company had developed a molecule called flibanserin that seemed to relieve stress in rats. But like many promising drugs, it flopped in human trials. Says Dr. Lutz Hilbrich, the company's executive director of general medicine: "We did not see the effect we were expecting."
But what they did see surprised them. Like all companies working on antidepressants, Boehringer surveyed patients in its clinical trial to assess dampening of libido, a well-established side effect. Far from complaining about a drop
in sexual desire and arousal, many of the women in the trial reported a surge.
The men had no such response—and neither group showed any improvement in mood. "It is an interesting drug," says Dr. André T. Guay, director of the Center for Sexual Function at the Lahey Clinic Northshore, Peabody, Mass., and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. "These things come about in strange ways."
Sex Patch Revs Menopausal Women
Menopausal women had more sex and were happier about it when using an experimental hormone patch hailed by some as a possible female equivalent of Viagra, doctors reported Tuesday.
Women on the testosterone patch had sex about four times more than they usually did in two months compared to only one additional session for women given a fake patch containing no hormone, a study found.
Those who got real patches also reported more arousal, pleasure and orgasms, and had better self-images.
"We found an increase in activity, an increase in desire and a decrease in distress," said Dr. Robin Kroll, a Seattle gynecologist who reported results of the study Tuesday at a meeting of infertility specialists. The research was sponsored by Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, which is developing the patch, called Intrinsa, with Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc.
It was the first big test of the patch in women who went through menopause naturally and complained of low sex drive. A previous study in women who became menopausal because of surgery found similar results, and the companies already have asked the federal Food and Drug Administration to approve its use for those women.
"The testosterone patch looks very promising. It may be the answer for what women are looking for for a libido lag in menopause," said Dr. Marian Damewood, a University of Pennsylvania gynecologist who is president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
As many as 30 million American women will have gone through natural menopause by 2005 and another 10 million will be menopausal because of having their ovaries removed, Procter & Gamble estimates.
Lack of interest in or pleasure from sex is a big problem for such women, partly because of the decline in testosterone. Even though men make far more of this hormone than women, females still need a certain amount of it to have healthy sex lives, experts say.
Taking testosterone pills isn't advised because it can cause excessive hair growth, liver complications and other problems. Testosterone creams that are applied to the inner thigh are an option, but they've gotten little scientific study, Damewood said.
She had no role in the patch study, which involved 549 women in Seattle, Denver, Boston, Canada and Australia, averaging 54 years old, who were upset because they didn't feel like having sex. They were assigned to get either hormone or placebo patches. All kept logs of their sexual activities and filled out standard questionnaires about their feelings.
Those on the hormone patch improved in all measures. Side effects were mild and reported by three out of four women in each group - mostly excess facial hair and red or irritated skin from the patch, Kroll said.
"None of those patients wanted to stop taking the testosterone," she added.
The experiment was done over six months, the longest period of time the patch has been tested.
Meanwhile, a survey of 2,000 American women sponsored by Procter & Gamble and done by the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey found that one in three naturally menopausal women reported lackluster sex lives, but only one in 10 said it upset them.
Women on the testosterone patch had sex about four times more than they usually did in two months compared to only one additional session for women given a fake patch containing no hormone, a study found.
Those who got real patches also reported more arousal, pleasure and orgasms, and had better self-images.
"We found an increase in activity, an increase in desire and a decrease in distress," said Dr. Robin Kroll, a Seattle gynecologist who reported results of the study Tuesday at a meeting of infertility specialists. The research was sponsored by Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals, which is developing the patch, called Intrinsa, with Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc.
It was the first big test of the patch in women who went through menopause naturally and complained of low sex drive. A previous study in women who became menopausal because of surgery found similar results, and the companies already have asked the federal Food and Drug Administration to approve its use for those women.
"The testosterone patch looks very promising. It may be the answer for what women are looking for for a libido lag in menopause," said Dr. Marian Damewood, a University of Pennsylvania gynecologist who is president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
As many as 30 million American women will have gone through natural menopause by 2005 and another 10 million will be menopausal because of having their ovaries removed, Procter & Gamble estimates.
Lack of interest in or pleasure from sex is a big problem for such women, partly because of the decline in testosterone. Even though men make far more of this hormone than women, females still need a certain amount of it to have healthy sex lives, experts say.
Taking testosterone pills isn't advised because it can cause excessive hair growth, liver complications and other problems. Testosterone creams that are applied to the inner thigh are an option, but they've gotten little scientific study, Damewood said.
She had no role in the patch study, which involved 549 women in Seattle, Denver, Boston, Canada and Australia, averaging 54 years old, who were upset because they didn't feel like having sex. They were assigned to get either hormone or placebo patches. All kept logs of their sexual activities and filled out standard questionnaires about their feelings.
Those on the hormone patch improved in all measures. Side effects were mild and reported by three out of four women in each group - mostly excess facial hair and red or irritated skin from the patch, Kroll said.
"None of those patients wanted to stop taking the testosterone," she added.
The experiment was done over six months, the longest period of time the patch has been tested.
Meanwhile, a survey of 2,000 American women sponsored by Procter & Gamble and done by the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey found that one in three naturally menopausal women reported lackluster sex lives, but only one in 10 said it upset them.
Not So Fast
The Society concluded that the most common current treatment, testosterone, should not be recommended. The big question: If a woman doesn't experience physical desire, is it a medical condition, like inadequate blood flow in men, or something purely psychological? "Maybe she just doesn't like the guy she's with," says Washington (D.C.) psychotherapist David Waldman.
Plus, it's not yet clear exactly how flibanserin works. Company researchers have figured out that it hits several circuits in the brain that are linked to feelings and pleasure. One of those circuits apparently helps control sexual desire and arousal, although the effects are not immediate. "This is not something that can be taken on a Friday for the weekend," says Boehringer Ingelheim spokesman Mark R. Vincent. "There is a gradual increase in sexual desire over a six- to eight-week period."
Pinning down the mechanism is especially critical, in this case, because the FDA views drugs that affect the complicated central nervous system with extra caution. Regulators are especially wary of drugs that might be used widely as a lifestyle choice rather than just to treat disease. "It is difficult for drugs for the central nervous system to be approved for something as banal as sexual function," says Lahey Clinic's Guay.
Doctors investigating new treatments for women retort that men's problems were also seen as largely psychological until Viagra came along, and that loss of sexual desire isn't trivial to many of those who experience it. Indeed, Boehringer says it's having no trouble recruiting women for the trial, some of whom travel long distances for the chance to try the drug. Even if flibanserin doesn't pan out, understanding how it boosts desire should point the way to better versions—and perhaps give women a choice about whether or not to pop a little pill.
Plus, it's not yet clear exactly how flibanserin works. Company researchers have figured out that it hits several circuits in the brain that are linked to feelings and pleasure. One of those circuits apparently helps control sexual desire and arousal, although the effects are not immediate. "This is not something that can be taken on a Friday for the weekend," says Boehringer Ingelheim spokesman Mark R. Vincent. "There is a gradual increase in sexual desire over a six- to eight-week period."
Pinning down the mechanism is especially critical, in this case, because the FDA views drugs that affect the complicated central nervous system with extra caution. Regulators are especially wary of drugs that might be used widely as a lifestyle choice rather than just to treat disease. "It is difficult for drugs for the central nervous system to be approved for something as banal as sexual function," says Lahey Clinic's Guay.
Doctors investigating new treatments for women retort that men's problems were also seen as largely psychological until Viagra came along, and that loss of sexual desire isn't trivial to many of those who experience it. Indeed, Boehringer says it's having no trouble recruiting women for the trial, some of whom travel long distances for the chance to try the drug. Even if flibanserin doesn't pan out, understanding how it boosts desire should point the way to better versions—and perhaps give women a choice about whether or not to pop a little pill.
No Little Bit Blue Pill for Women
(AP) Pfizer Inc. is ending research on whether the anti-impotency drug Viagra can be used to treat female sexual problems because studies on women were inconclusive, the company said.
The results of several clinical studies involving about 3,000 women did not support a regulatory filing, Pfizer said Friday.
Karen Katen, executive vice president of Pfizer and president of Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals, said that while the company was disappointed that the program was not more successful, “this is the nature of drug development.”
“We make substantial financial investments, marshal the talents of our best scientists and clinicians, and spend years studying potential treatments only to find that they do not meet the requirements for regulatory approval,” Katen said.
Experts agree that female sexuality is more complex than male sexuality, involving psychological and physical factors.
Joe Feczko, president of Worldwide Developing at Pfizer, said diagnosing sexual difficulties in women “involves assessing physical, emotional and relationship factors, and these complex and interdependent factors make measuring a medicine's effect very difficult.”
At least 10 pharmaceutical companies have sought to develop a female equivalent for Viagra since the drug was launched in 1998 as a treatment for male sexual disfunction. More than 23 million men have been prescribed Viagra since then, Pfizer said.
Pfizer said it began researching into whether Viagra would work for women in 1996 and is studying other treatment approaches.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Hysterectomy - Part II
Hysterectomies Popular Since Roman Times
Despite publicity about its overuse during the last two decades, hysterectomy — followed by cesarians — is the most common operation performed on American women. By age 60, more than one-third of all women will have had one. First performed 1,900 years ago in Roman times, a hysterectomy involves the removal of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Sometimes ovaries or the cervix, are left intact. Incisions are made through the abdomen or the vagina. While hysterectomy can remove fibroids and eliminate worries of future disease in the uterus, recovery time is sometimes up to two months and some women complain of an impact on their bladders, bowels and sex life.
A Common Treatment for Fibroids
Most hysterectomies — nearly 40 percent — are for fibroids, which trouble at least 25 percent of all women at some point in their lives, usually between ages 30 and 40. These usually benign tumors often cause heavy bleeding in pre-menopausal years. They can also contribute to pelvic pain, lower back pain, constipation, frequent urination, bladder pressure, pain during sexual intercourse, and, depending on location, infertility and premature birth.
Women also have hysterectomies for unexplained pelvic pain, the "prolapse," or dipping down, of the uterus into the vaginal canal, and endometriosis — stray bits of uterine tissue growing in the wrong places.
Alternatives to Hysterectomy
While many women have no problem with having a hysterectomy — others wish they'd known about their alternatives sooner. "There are a whole new array of interventions women should at least know about," said Gaylene Pron, a University of Toronto epidemiologist. If symptoms develop, Pron explained, women can try drug therapy, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and birth control pills and procedures that remove the fibroids (not the entire uterus) and block blood supply to the fibroids.
"The fact is, there are a number of alternatives for hysterectomy that either because of established routine, past training, or stubborn schools of thought within gynecology, haven't been given their due," said Dr. James Spies, a Georgetown University specialist in treating fibroids.
Myomectomy
In October 2000, Ryan opted for a myomectomy — an outpatient procedure in which fibroids are removed via an instrument inserted through the abdomen or vagina. Myomectomy successfully controls symptoms in about 80% of all cases without removing the entire uterus, but it can cause uterine scarring and isn't failsafe; one in 10 women need further procedures because the fibroids grow back.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology concluded in May 2000 that while myomectomy generally provides "excellent resolution of symptoms" research on the subject was "poor" and had rarely been compared with hysterectomy in rigorous studies. For Ryan, it "was the greatest thing I've ever done," said Ryan. "I kept all my organs and I'm pain free — and without some of the physical problems women have with hysterectomies, from bladder to hormone problems."
Embolization
Hormel — who also searched the Internet for alternatives — seized on embolization, a relatively new procedure that involves threading a catheter into the uterine artery so tiny particles can be injected to block the blood supply to the fibroids.
The procedure involves a local anesthetic and one-night hospital stay and recovery is about two weeks.
"Many gynecologists don't offer it because they have no personal experience with it, or because it involves a different medical specialty (radiology)," said Dr. Spies. "In medicine, we tend to run in tribes, all reading our own sets of journals, so a new procedure by another specialty can easily get overlooked."
Hormel realized there was a chance her fibroids might grow back, but she was determined to try and avoid what her mother had experienced.
"It wasn't painful. There was a little cramping — but now I have normal periods. I have my life back…I'm so glad I did my homework."
Hormel's advice for other women: "Ask questions. If you don't understand something the doctor says, just question it. If you don't feel it's right, ask if there are other options. Do your reading, get on the Internet, and ask your doctor everything on your mind."
Carla Dionne also had a successful embolization. "I had tremendous shrinkage — and a tremendous change in my life," she said. "I get five hours sleep now. I have energy. No more bleeding — not even a fraction of what it was. No horrific cramps. I lost almost 50 pounds without even trying."
Dionne was so affected by what happened to her that she started a support group and Website, www.uterinefibroids.com, to share information and experiences. "It turns out there's a lot doctors don't tell you, and with my support group I hear about it every day. I just want other women to know."
Despite publicity about its overuse during the last two decades, hysterectomy — followed by cesarians — is the most common operation performed on American women. By age 60, more than one-third of all women will have had one. First performed 1,900 years ago in Roman times, a hysterectomy involves the removal of the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Sometimes ovaries or the cervix, are left intact. Incisions are made through the abdomen or the vagina. While hysterectomy can remove fibroids and eliminate worries of future disease in the uterus, recovery time is sometimes up to two months and some women complain of an impact on their bladders, bowels and sex life.
A Common Treatment for Fibroids
Most hysterectomies — nearly 40 percent — are for fibroids, which trouble at least 25 percent of all women at some point in their lives, usually between ages 30 and 40. These usually benign tumors often cause heavy bleeding in pre-menopausal years. They can also contribute to pelvic pain, lower back pain, constipation, frequent urination, bladder pressure, pain during sexual intercourse, and, depending on location, infertility and premature birth.
Women also have hysterectomies for unexplained pelvic pain, the "prolapse," or dipping down, of the uterus into the vaginal canal, and endometriosis — stray bits of uterine tissue growing in the wrong places.
Alternatives to Hysterectomy
While many women have no problem with having a hysterectomy — others wish they'd known about their alternatives sooner. "There are a whole new array of interventions women should at least know about," said Gaylene Pron, a University of Toronto epidemiologist. If symptoms develop, Pron explained, women can try drug therapy, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and birth control pills and procedures that remove the fibroids (not the entire uterus) and block blood supply to the fibroids.
"The fact is, there are a number of alternatives for hysterectomy that either because of established routine, past training, or stubborn schools of thought within gynecology, haven't been given their due," said Dr. James Spies, a Georgetown University specialist in treating fibroids.
Myomectomy
In October 2000, Ryan opted for a myomectomy — an outpatient procedure in which fibroids are removed via an instrument inserted through the abdomen or vagina. Myomectomy successfully controls symptoms in about 80% of all cases without removing the entire uterus, but it can cause uterine scarring and isn't failsafe; one in 10 women need further procedures because the fibroids grow back.
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology concluded in May 2000 that while myomectomy generally provides "excellent resolution of symptoms" research on the subject was "poor" and had rarely been compared with hysterectomy in rigorous studies. For Ryan, it "was the greatest thing I've ever done," said Ryan. "I kept all my organs and I'm pain free — and without some of the physical problems women have with hysterectomies, from bladder to hormone problems."
Embolization
Hormel — who also searched the Internet for alternatives — seized on embolization, a relatively new procedure that involves threading a catheter into the uterine artery so tiny particles can be injected to block the blood supply to the fibroids.
The procedure involves a local anesthetic and one-night hospital stay and recovery is about two weeks.
"Many gynecologists don't offer it because they have no personal experience with it, or because it involves a different medical specialty (radiology)," said Dr. Spies. "In medicine, we tend to run in tribes, all reading our own sets of journals, so a new procedure by another specialty can easily get overlooked."
Hormel realized there was a chance her fibroids might grow back, but she was determined to try and avoid what her mother had experienced.
"It wasn't painful. There was a little cramping — but now I have normal periods. I have my life back…I'm so glad I did my homework."
Hormel's advice for other women: "Ask questions. If you don't understand something the doctor says, just question it. If you don't feel it's right, ask if there are other options. Do your reading, get on the Internet, and ask your doctor everything on your mind."
Carla Dionne also had a successful embolization. "I had tremendous shrinkage — and a tremendous change in my life," she said. "I get five hours sleep now. I have energy. No more bleeding — not even a fraction of what it was. No horrific cramps. I lost almost 50 pounds without even trying."
Dionne was so affected by what happened to her that she started a support group and Website, www.uterinefibroids.com, to share information and experiences. "It turns out there's a lot doctors don't tell you, and with my support group I hear about it every day. I just want other women to know."
Hysterectomy - Part I
If you're a woman, receiving the news that you have to have a hysterectomy can be a very scary thing. The good news is that breakthroughs in modern medicine can provide a hysterectomy alternative, but don't take our word for it. When you read different women's stories about their hysterectomy diagnoses, keep in mind that information is key to finding the right hysterectomy alternative for you. We uncover the truth behind hysterectomy alternatives, and hope that you'll find a solution to having a hysterectomy.
When Heidi Hormel started cramping and bleeding heavily in 1998, the Hanover, Pa., public relations professional feared the worst. Her periods always had been light, but now, at 35, her pads were soaked within an hour, and strangely bright red. During an ultrasound, the technician gasped, saying: "never seen anything like it."
The growth, in the muscle tissue of her uterus, was a fibroid — common enough, and usually benign. But the doctor said Heidi's fibroid was odd-looking, and potentially cancerous. And since Heidi didn't want to have children, the doctor advised her to have her uterus removed.
Hormel was terrified. Her own mother had had a horrible experience with her own hysterectomy that nearly sent her straight into menopause. "When they said hysterectomy was what I should do I was so upset," said Hormel. "That was one thing I've always said I'd never have done."
Carla Dionne, a Ventura County, Calif. mother of three nearly leaped at her doctor's recommendation for a hysterectomy when, at 40, she suffered massive bleeding, blood clots the size of a quarter, and a weight gain that made her look six months pregnant.
"I barely made it through a day. I was housebound. I was changing pads all the time. I was anemic and exhausted. I wasn't much of a mother — my kids were taking care of me. I was scared and the doctors kept saying, 'You're not having any more kids, just get rid of your uterus.' I almost did."
Nancy Ryan, a 43-year-old programmer who lives on Long Island, was told by her gynecologist that "the only way to get rid of this [fibroid] for sure is hysterectomy."
None of these women were told of — or knew about — other options to treat their fibroids. In fact, it wasn't until after Ryan did an Internet search that she learned about myomectomy — a minimally invasive technology to treat her fibroid.
Too Many Hysterectomies?
Unfortunately, despite medical advances, women aren't always informed by their doctors of alternatives to hysterectomy — alternatives that can reduce the need for anesthesia, long hospital stays and lengthy recovery times. What's more, there is concern that not all women who receive hysterectomies need them.
In a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology last year, researchers found that hysterectomies had been "inappropriately" recommended to 367 of 497 women. In another study, 16% of women in seven health-care plans were found to have undergone hysterectomies for "clinically" wrong reasons. "We found quite a few women who weren't offered less invasive treatment. It's very disturbing," said Dr. Michael Broder, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. "It seems pretty likely there are more hysterectomies done in this country than can be justified…"
When Heidi Hormel started cramping and bleeding heavily in 1998, the Hanover, Pa., public relations professional feared the worst. Her periods always had been light, but now, at 35, her pads were soaked within an hour, and strangely bright red. During an ultrasound, the technician gasped, saying: "never seen anything like it."
The growth, in the muscle tissue of her uterus, was a fibroid — common enough, and usually benign. But the doctor said Heidi's fibroid was odd-looking, and potentially cancerous. And since Heidi didn't want to have children, the doctor advised her to have her uterus removed.
Hormel was terrified. Her own mother had had a horrible experience with her own hysterectomy that nearly sent her straight into menopause. "When they said hysterectomy was what I should do I was so upset," said Hormel. "That was one thing I've always said I'd never have done."
Carla Dionne, a Ventura County, Calif. mother of three nearly leaped at her doctor's recommendation for a hysterectomy when, at 40, she suffered massive bleeding, blood clots the size of a quarter, and a weight gain that made her look six months pregnant.
"I barely made it through a day. I was housebound. I was changing pads all the time. I was anemic and exhausted. I wasn't much of a mother — my kids were taking care of me. I was scared and the doctors kept saying, 'You're not having any more kids, just get rid of your uterus.' I almost did."
Nancy Ryan, a 43-year-old programmer who lives on Long Island, was told by her gynecologist that "the only way to get rid of this [fibroid] for sure is hysterectomy."
None of these women were told of — or knew about — other options to treat their fibroids. In fact, it wasn't until after Ryan did an Internet search that she learned about myomectomy — a minimally invasive technology to treat her fibroid.
Too Many Hysterectomies?
Unfortunately, despite medical advances, women aren't always informed by their doctors of alternatives to hysterectomy — alternatives that can reduce the need for anesthesia, long hospital stays and lengthy recovery times. What's more, there is concern that not all women who receive hysterectomies need them.
In a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology last year, researchers found that hysterectomies had been "inappropriately" recommended to 367 of 497 women. In another study, 16% of women in seven health-care plans were found to have undergone hysterectomies for "clinically" wrong reasons. "We found quite a few women who weren't offered less invasive treatment. It's very disturbing," said Dr. Michael Broder, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. "It seems pretty likely there are more hysterectomies done in this country than can be justified…"
The education gender gap
The education gender gap
It seems like we cover a new study showing girls aren't really worse than boys at [insert male-dominated discipline here] about every other day, and often enough, the discipline in question is math or science. So I almost zoomed right past this article, "Boys Not Better at Math Than Girls, Study Finds," in my morning reading, assuming it would be snoozeworthy. Good thing I didn't, because this study of the educational gender gap, led by professor Paola Sapienza of Northwestern University, actually says something interesting and (to me, anyway) new.
Globally, girls average 10.5 points lower than boys on math tests -- but the picture gets more complicated when you look at things locally. In Sweden, about the closest thing we've got to a "gender-equal society," the difference between boys' and girls' scores is negligible. In Turkey, not such a gender-equal society, the average difference is 23 points. This study, which examined the test scores of 276,000 children in 40 countries, found that this pattern held around the world. "Average girls' scores improved as equality improved and the number of girls reaching the highest levels of performance also increased." In other words, it turns out more equality leads to ... more equality. Go figure.
When it comes to reading, though, girls start to get more equal than others. "The research also found a striking gender gap in reading skills. In every country girls perform better than boys in reading but in countries that treat both sexes equally, girls do even better." The global average difference is 32.7 points. In Iceland, another country noteworthy for its gender equality, girls' average scores were 61 points higher than boys. Sixty-one points!
The article doesn't say how old the children in question were, so it could be a case of girls developing verbal skills faster than boys; perhaps the difference more or less evens out later in life. But I'm still not sure how I feel about the fact that the headline here is about girls and math, in light of those stunning numbers. Naturally, part of me thinks, "You see? Girls will not only keep up but excel if you treat them equally!" But another part of me thinks that if societal gender equality leads to boys being that far behind at something as important as reading, at some point, it ceases to be equality. (Contrary to feminist caricatures, most of us aren't actually looking for total world domination.)
I'm really not sure how you fix that problem -- I only know that treating girls like crap to keep things even is not an option, no matter how well it has worked in the past. I'm still pretty psyched about those math scores, thank you very much.
It seems like we cover a new study showing girls aren't really worse than boys at [insert male-dominated discipline here] about every other day, and often enough, the discipline in question is math or science. So I almost zoomed right past this article, "Boys Not Better at Math Than Girls, Study Finds," in my morning reading, assuming it would be snoozeworthy. Good thing I didn't, because this study of the educational gender gap, led by professor Paola Sapienza of Northwestern University, actually says something interesting and (to me, anyway) new.
Globally, girls average 10.5 points lower than boys on math tests -- but the picture gets more complicated when you look at things locally. In Sweden, about the closest thing we've got to a "gender-equal society," the difference between boys' and girls' scores is negligible. In Turkey, not such a gender-equal society, the average difference is 23 points. This study, which examined the test scores of 276,000 children in 40 countries, found that this pattern held around the world. "Average girls' scores improved as equality improved and the number of girls reaching the highest levels of performance also increased." In other words, it turns out more equality leads to ... more equality. Go figure.
When it comes to reading, though, girls start to get more equal than others. "The research also found a striking gender gap in reading skills. In every country girls perform better than boys in reading but in countries that treat both sexes equally, girls do even better." The global average difference is 32.7 points. In Iceland, another country noteworthy for its gender equality, girls' average scores were 61 points higher than boys. Sixty-one points!
The article doesn't say how old the children in question were, so it could be a case of girls developing verbal skills faster than boys; perhaps the difference more or less evens out later in life. But I'm still not sure how I feel about the fact that the headline here is about girls and math, in light of those stunning numbers. Naturally, part of me thinks, "You see? Girls will not only keep up but excel if you treat them equally!" But another part of me thinks that if societal gender equality leads to boys being that far behind at something as important as reading, at some point, it ceases to be equality. (Contrary to feminist caricatures, most of us aren't actually looking for total world domination.)
I'm really not sure how you fix that problem -- I only know that treating girls like crap to keep things even is not an option, no matter how well it has worked in the past. I'm still pretty psyched about those math scores, thank you very much.
The perfect time to quit smoking?
The perfect time to quit smoking?
We've all heard about the studies showing that women are most attractive when they're ovulating, for obvious reasons, but according to the Times Online (U.K.), the hormonal fluctuations in a woman's menstrual cycle have loads of other overlooked magical powers.
Want to quit smoking? Wait for the luteal phase (after ovulation, before your period), when progesterone is highest -- it helps with nicotine withdrawal. Want to deepen your yoga practice? Just before your period, you get hit with the aptly named hormone relaxin, which increases flexibility. Want to have an easier cardio workout and burn more fat? The luteal phase and its attendant progesterone spike are your friends once again. (If you're into lifting weights, on the other hand, the increased estrogen during the follicular phase -- days one to 14 -- will make you stronger.) Want to get a tattoo? Your pain threshold is highest during ovulation.
What if I want to live my life without paying much attention to my cycle, beyond knowing when to throw a tampon in my purse? The Times doesn't answer that question. I know women who geek out over online cycle-tracking tools (up to and including "detailed history reports"), but unless I end up desperately trying to get pregnant someday, I just can't see myself spending any time plugging "cycle events" into an online calendar when I could be compulsively refreshing Cute Overload. I'm pretty sure if you practice yoga or lift weights or run on a regular basis, you'll have better overall results than waiting for the hormonal superpowers to kick in, and I'm more than a little suspicious of the idea that skipping deodorant can make one more attractive. But hey, maybe someday I'll change my tune after I schedule a root canal during the luteal phase.
We've all heard about the studies showing that women are most attractive when they're ovulating, for obvious reasons, but according to the Times Online (U.K.), the hormonal fluctuations in a woman's menstrual cycle have loads of other overlooked magical powers.
Want to quit smoking? Wait for the luteal phase (after ovulation, before your period), when progesterone is highest -- it helps with nicotine withdrawal. Want to deepen your yoga practice? Just before your period, you get hit with the aptly named hormone relaxin, which increases flexibility. Want to have an easier cardio workout and burn more fat? The luteal phase and its attendant progesterone spike are your friends once again. (If you're into lifting weights, on the other hand, the increased estrogen during the follicular phase -- days one to 14 -- will make you stronger.) Want to get a tattoo? Your pain threshold is highest during ovulation.
What if I want to live my life without paying much attention to my cycle, beyond knowing when to throw a tampon in my purse? The Times doesn't answer that question. I know women who geek out over online cycle-tracking tools (up to and including "detailed history reports"), but unless I end up desperately trying to get pregnant someday, I just can't see myself spending any time plugging "cycle events" into an online calendar when I could be compulsively refreshing Cute Overload. I'm pretty sure if you practice yoga or lift weights or run on a regular basis, you'll have better overall results than waiting for the hormonal superpowers to kick in, and I'm more than a little suspicious of the idea that skipping deodorant can make one more attractive. But hey, maybe someday I'll change my tune after I schedule a root canal during the luteal phase.
Libido Continues
Testosterone can be prescribed in pill, patches, creams, suppositories and lozenges (also called troches) in compounded or synthetic forms. Non-pill preparations that bypass the liver may be the best place to start. A six-week trial is generally recommended. Here are two options:
* Under-the-tongue troches. "Testosterone lozenges can be used intermittently as as a kind of jump-start for libido," says Dr. Youcha. "You could, for example, take a lozenge after dinner in preparation for sex that night," suggests Dr. Youcha. A recommended starting dose is 0.2 milligrams (for methyltestosterone) or 0.5 milligrams for compounded testosterone.
* Topical cream. An array of creams and gels that can be rubbed directly on the vulva can be prescribed. "Methyltestosterone does not get converted to estrogen so these preparations may be theoretically safer," according to Dr. Youcha. Preparations range from 1 percent to 2 percent. If you have the right dosage for your body, the effects of the creams can kick in as early as a half-hour later.
Testosterone replacement need not be long-term. "Once the sex behavior has shifted, you can stop testosterone and see how sex goes without hormones," Dr.Youcha says.
Work on it as a couple. When a woman turns off sexually, her mate may feel undesired. He may withdraw, causing the woman to shut down further. "Couples need to find ways to reconnect both verbally and non-verbally outside the bedroom," says Karen Brash McGreer, marital and sex therapist in Cherry Hill, N.J. She counsels couples to do things that help to build intimacy:
* Take a walk after dinner or have coffee on Saturday morning (no kids).
* Tell your partner what you need to feel aroused — that may be words, cuddling or other signs of affection.
* Talk about the redistribution of the workload. A skilled therapist can help you resolve deeper conflicts and to "bring it up, talk it out, let it go." You can then advance to techniques that focus on stimulating sensations without actually having sex. For example, deepening eye contact and breathing together helps build trust.
* Take steps to resexualize yourself. You are responsible for your own pleasure, "but you have to work at it," says Kellogg-Spadt. For 20 minutes, three times a week, get your brain off the cub scouts, soccer club and grocery lists and do some fantasy work. For many women, reading erotica is an effective trigger. Treat yourself to sensual pleasures — dance lessons, a pedicure or even a massage. Lastly, engage in exercise such as yoga that involves squats, lunges and lifting. This helps blood flow in the pelvis and clitoris. Yoga also helps open your body to sensations and can boost your body image.
* Under-the-tongue troches. "Testosterone lozenges can be used intermittently as as a kind of jump-start for libido," says Dr. Youcha. "You could, for example, take a lozenge after dinner in preparation for sex that night," suggests Dr. Youcha. A recommended starting dose is 0.2 milligrams (for methyltestosterone) or 0.5 milligrams for compounded testosterone.
* Topical cream. An array of creams and gels that can be rubbed directly on the vulva can be prescribed. "Methyltestosterone does not get converted to estrogen so these preparations may be theoretically safer," according to Dr. Youcha. Preparations range from 1 percent to 2 percent. If you have the right dosage for your body, the effects of the creams can kick in as early as a half-hour later.
Testosterone replacement need not be long-term. "Once the sex behavior has shifted, you can stop testosterone and see how sex goes without hormones," Dr.Youcha says.
Work on it as a couple. When a woman turns off sexually, her mate may feel undesired. He may withdraw, causing the woman to shut down further. "Couples need to find ways to reconnect both verbally and non-verbally outside the bedroom," says Karen Brash McGreer, marital and sex therapist in Cherry Hill, N.J. She counsels couples to do things that help to build intimacy:
* Take a walk after dinner or have coffee on Saturday morning (no kids).
* Tell your partner what you need to feel aroused — that may be words, cuddling or other signs of affection.
* Talk about the redistribution of the workload. A skilled therapist can help you resolve deeper conflicts and to "bring it up, talk it out, let it go." You can then advance to techniques that focus on stimulating sensations without actually having sex. For example, deepening eye contact and breathing together helps build trust.
* Take steps to resexualize yourself. You are responsible for your own pleasure, "but you have to work at it," says Kellogg-Spadt. For 20 minutes, three times a week, get your brain off the cub scouts, soccer club and grocery lists and do some fantasy work. For many women, reading erotica is an effective trigger. Treat yourself to sensual pleasures — dance lessons, a pedicure or even a massage. Lastly, engage in exercise such as yoga that involves squats, lunges and lifting. This helps blood flow in the pelvis and clitoris. Yoga also helps open your body to sensations and can boost your body image.
Sex and the box office
Sex and the box office
Despite some pretty crappy reviews and decidedly mixed word of mouth (at least in my neighborhood), the big-screen adaptation of "Sex and the City" made Hollywood jaws drop last weekend when it raked in over $55 million. That's not only more than what executives had been hoping for (predictions were that it might approach the $27.5 million that "The Devil Wears Prada" made in its opening weekend), it was enough to knock "Indiana Jones" from the top of the box office heap; it was enough to break opening weekend records for any R-rated comedy, and in fact for any romantic comedy in Hollywood history.
The news here is not simply that a tepidly reviewed movie made a lot of money, but that the audience was driven by women, the same women who have, in recent years, been almost entirely written off by movie studios. What "Sex and the City's" success might mean for Hollywood's future is anyone's guess, but in a business that has never met a blockbuster it couldn't copy, clone, repeat and write seven sequels for, I suspect that we have a lot more cosmo-slurping in our multiplex futures.
Despite some pretty crappy reviews and decidedly mixed word of mouth (at least in my neighborhood), the big-screen adaptation of "Sex and the City" made Hollywood jaws drop last weekend when it raked in over $55 million. That's not only more than what executives had been hoping for (predictions were that it might approach the $27.5 million that "The Devil Wears Prada" made in its opening weekend), it was enough to knock "Indiana Jones" from the top of the box office heap; it was enough to break opening weekend records for any R-rated comedy, and in fact for any romantic comedy in Hollywood history.
The news here is not simply that a tepidly reviewed movie made a lot of money, but that the audience was driven by women, the same women who have, in recent years, been almost entirely written off by movie studios. What "Sex and the City's" success might mean for Hollywood's future is anyone's guess, but in a business that has never met a blockbuster it couldn't copy, clone, repeat and write seven sequels for, I suspect that we have a lot more cosmo-slurping in our multiplex futures.
Remedies that Restore the Spark
Remedies that Restore the Spark
Depending on your symptoms or function of your desire disorder, you may need one or several of the following options:
* Adjust your meds. Working with your doctor, you may need to switch to a higher estrogen birth control pill or use a barrier contraceptive. Gradually lower your SSRI dose or try Wellbutrin (bupropion) which boosts the production of dopamine, a chemical messenger linked to sexual desire.
In one study comparing the effects of SSRIs, Wellbutrin-treated patients reported a significant increase in libido, arousal and orgasm; patients on other SSRIs had a decrease. Even non-depressed women may benefit from Wellbutrin, recent studies show. There's more good news. "Preliminary evidence shows that Viagra — the highly touted remedy for flagging erections — may help override the side effects of SSRIs in women when used before sex," says Dr. Berman.
* Restore vaginal lubrication. Depending on the severity of vaginal dryness, there are a range of options available to restore vaginal moisture, plump up thinning tissues and make penetration more comfortable. For severe dryness, prescription estrogen regimens provide effective relief.
Choices include creams, suppositories (such as the recently FDA-approved Vagifem), or the diaphragm-like E-string vaginal ring. For mild dryness, try over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers such as Replens (designed to be applied regularly) or Lubrin (applied just prior to sexual intercourse.). Herbs — in liquid or pill form — purported to help relieve mild vaginal dryness include black cohosh or dong quoi.
* Try a dose of testosterone. Dubbed the "hormone of desire," testosterone replacement in women has become the focus of intense study. While no preparations are as yet FDA-approved, a spate of studies show that in women nearing or beyond menopause, the administration of oral or topical testosterone may help switch on sexual urges and re-sensitize the genitals. Testosterone may also boost energy and well-being and override the libido-lowering effects of SSRIs.
If you choose to experiment with taking testosterone, it's important to note that "we don't have long-term randomized clinical studies and there have been no conclusive studies on testosterone in younger women," notes Sharon Youcha, M.D., general gynecologist at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. and clinical faculty member at Thomas Jefferson College of Medicine in Philadelphia. Because testosterone has the potential to change HDL (high density lipoprotein — the "good" cholesterol) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein — the "bad" cholesterol), your cholesterol levels should be monitored carefully.
Women at risk for heart or liver disease may not be good candidates for testosterone. Women at risk for breast cancer should avoid testosterone since a percentage of this hormone converts to estrogen, believed to fuel certain breast cancers. Start with a low-dose regimen.
Depending on your symptoms or function of your desire disorder, you may need one or several of the following options:
* Adjust your meds. Working with your doctor, you may need to switch to a higher estrogen birth control pill or use a barrier contraceptive. Gradually lower your SSRI dose or try Wellbutrin (bupropion) which boosts the production of dopamine, a chemical messenger linked to sexual desire.
In one study comparing the effects of SSRIs, Wellbutrin-treated patients reported a significant increase in libido, arousal and orgasm; patients on other SSRIs had a decrease. Even non-depressed women may benefit from Wellbutrin, recent studies show. There's more good news. "Preliminary evidence shows that Viagra — the highly touted remedy for flagging erections — may help override the side effects of SSRIs in women when used before sex," says Dr. Berman.
* Restore vaginal lubrication. Depending on the severity of vaginal dryness, there are a range of options available to restore vaginal moisture, plump up thinning tissues and make penetration more comfortable. For severe dryness, prescription estrogen regimens provide effective relief.
Choices include creams, suppositories (such as the recently FDA-approved Vagifem), or the diaphragm-like E-string vaginal ring. For mild dryness, try over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers such as Replens (designed to be applied regularly) or Lubrin (applied just prior to sexual intercourse.). Herbs — in liquid or pill form — purported to help relieve mild vaginal dryness include black cohosh or dong quoi.
* Try a dose of testosterone. Dubbed the "hormone of desire," testosterone replacement in women has become the focus of intense study. While no preparations are as yet FDA-approved, a spate of studies show that in women nearing or beyond menopause, the administration of oral or topical testosterone may help switch on sexual urges and re-sensitize the genitals. Testosterone may also boost energy and well-being and override the libido-lowering effects of SSRIs.
If you choose to experiment with taking testosterone, it's important to note that "we don't have long-term randomized clinical studies and there have been no conclusive studies on testosterone in younger women," notes Sharon Youcha, M.D., general gynecologist at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. and clinical faculty member at Thomas Jefferson College of Medicine in Philadelphia. Because testosterone has the potential to change HDL (high density lipoprotein — the "good" cholesterol) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein — the "bad" cholesterol), your cholesterol levels should be monitored carefully.
Women at risk for heart or liver disease may not be good candidates for testosterone. Women at risk for breast cancer should avoid testosterone since a percentage of this hormone converts to estrogen, believed to fuel certain breast cancers. Start with a low-dose regimen.
Llibido Killers
Here are the leading libido killers:
* Post-childbirth and breastfeeding. Desire can wane for a number of reasons, says Kellogg-Spadt. After childbirth, a woman is exhausted and sleep-deprived. What's more, pelvic nerves and muscles may have been damaged during delivery, which lowers genital sensitivity. Moreover, breastfeeding lowers levels of estradial — the hormone responsible for keeping the urogenital tract lubricated and supple. This can make penetration painful. Breastfeeding also raises the prolactin hormone, which suppresses sexual desire and lowers testosterone — the hormone in both genders that stokes desire. If you are breastfeeding for one year, not having sex can become a way of life.
* The onset of menopause. The output of estradial is reduced with natural or surgical menopause (removal of ovaries, via hysterectomy) To compound matters, testosterone production drops by up to half. This may trigger a sudden dip in sex drive, loss of pubic hair, diminished sensitivity in the clitoris and nipples and a weakened ability to climax.
* Antidepressants and other drugs. Low libido — and impaired orgasm — is a notorious side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors,(SSRIs), most notably Prozac or Paxil, two of the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat depression. Other culprits include birth control pills, blood-pressure lowering drugs, and in some cases, estrogen replacement.
* Stress. Juggling job/childcare, marital problems, a death in the family, change of location — all can overload the adrenal hormones, deplete energy, jump start an over-secretion of prolactin and may lead to depression — a major contributor to HSD. Underlying disorders. Desire can diminish if you have a thyroid deficiency, or a joint, nerve or blood flow disorder, or from pain-causing urogenital problems such as fibroids, endometriosis, yeast and bladder infections, vulvodynia or inflammation.
* Couple problems. A sex shutdown in women often stems from power struggles, resentment over unequal distribution of household chores, feelings of inattention, or anger about past injustices, according to Kellogg-Spadt. "Anger is often a leading — if not the leading — sex suppressor," she says. In Brenda's case, control was an issue. "I sexually pursued my husband before marriage, but when I had to share the sexual control, my desire disappeared," she notes.
* Other issues. Feeling bad about gaining weight or having small breasts can kill lust. "The bombardment of sexual images has raised the bar on what it means to be sexy. The message is we must have a perfect body and very frequent intercourse. It's especially hard to live up to these standards as you age," says Kellogg-Spadt.
* Post-childbirth and breastfeeding. Desire can wane for a number of reasons, says Kellogg-Spadt. After childbirth, a woman is exhausted and sleep-deprived. What's more, pelvic nerves and muscles may have been damaged during delivery, which lowers genital sensitivity. Moreover, breastfeeding lowers levels of estradial — the hormone responsible for keeping the urogenital tract lubricated and supple. This can make penetration painful. Breastfeeding also raises the prolactin hormone, which suppresses sexual desire and lowers testosterone — the hormone in both genders that stokes desire. If you are breastfeeding for one year, not having sex can become a way of life.
* The onset of menopause. The output of estradial is reduced with natural or surgical menopause (removal of ovaries, via hysterectomy) To compound matters, testosterone production drops by up to half. This may trigger a sudden dip in sex drive, loss of pubic hair, diminished sensitivity in the clitoris and nipples and a weakened ability to climax.
* Antidepressants and other drugs. Low libido — and impaired orgasm — is a notorious side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors,(SSRIs), most notably Prozac or Paxil, two of the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat depression. Other culprits include birth control pills, blood-pressure lowering drugs, and in some cases, estrogen replacement.
* Stress. Juggling job/childcare, marital problems, a death in the family, change of location — all can overload the adrenal hormones, deplete energy, jump start an over-secretion of prolactin and may lead to depression — a major contributor to HSD. Underlying disorders. Desire can diminish if you have a thyroid deficiency, or a joint, nerve or blood flow disorder, or from pain-causing urogenital problems such as fibroids, endometriosis, yeast and bladder infections, vulvodynia or inflammation.
* Couple problems. A sex shutdown in women often stems from power struggles, resentment over unequal distribution of household chores, feelings of inattention, or anger about past injustices, according to Kellogg-Spadt. "Anger is often a leading — if not the leading — sex suppressor," she says. In Brenda's case, control was an issue. "I sexually pursued my husband before marriage, but when I had to share the sexual control, my desire disappeared," she notes.
* Other issues. Feeling bad about gaining weight or having small breasts can kill lust. "The bombardment of sexual images has raised the bar on what it means to be sexy. The message is we must have a perfect body and very frequent intercourse. It's especially hard to live up to these standards as you age," says Kellogg-Spadt.
Reclaiming Your Libido
In a society ravenous for sex, Brenda McHugh, a 40-ish, married mother of two and pediatrician in New Jersey has simply lost her appetite. Once, Brenda eagerly indulged in "great sex" with her husband.
Gradually, McHugh lost interest in sex. Even if she were in the presence of a smorgasbord of alluring men, McHugh feels she would not have the urge to merge. "Sexual desire does not seem to be a part of my nature anymore," she says.
McHugh is not alone. According to the findings of a NIH-sponsored survey published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Feb. 10, 1999) 43 percent of women report recognizable sexual dysfunction. Problems range from not being able to have orgasms to having no sexual desire at all.
In fact, 35 percent of the estimated 40 to 50 million women who have sexual dysfunction have no or low sexual desire — what the experts call hypoactive sex drive, or HSD for short. By definition, women with HSD lack sexual fantasies, suddenly find sex uninteresting, and rarely masturbate. "They feel neutered — nothing turns them on," says Susan Kellogg-Spadt, director of sexual medicine at the Pelvic Floor Institute, Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia.
While women with HSD may not feel deprived without sex, a defining feature is that lack of libido causes distress. "I worry about losing my husband and am sad to be missing out on this natural — and pleasurable — part of living," says McHugh.
The devastating effect on women's self-esteem and a couple's relationship is compounded by the fact that ours is a hyper-sexualized society, says Kellogg-Spadt. "The media would have us believe that women are in sexual ecstasy simply by opening a bottle of herbal shampoo."
Libido Can Be Reclaimed
The good news is that libido can be restored, although it may take more than a Viagra-like aphrodisiac. With men, HSD is usually related to an erection problem. But a woman's lack of sexual desire is often more complex, and directly intertwined with many aspects of her life.
"Female sexual dysfunction is like a pie made up of relationship conflicts, emotional issues, past traumas, hormonal imbalances and physical responses such as pain, arousal, or orgasm problems," says Laura Berman, Ph.D, co-director of the Center for Women's Urology and Sexual Medicine at UCLA Medical Center and co-author of For Women: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Sexual Dysfunction and Reclaiming Your Sex Life. "A problem in one area impacts on the other," she says.
Emerging research is revealing that libido is neither all in your head nor all in your body, says Dr. Berman. "Reclaiming desire takes a mind-body approach customized to each woman's symptoms. There is no magic cure and no one set solution."
Uncovering the Sex Squelchers
You have to investigate a bit. Start by asking yourself what symptoms you have related to fantasies, arousal, vaginal dryness, genital sensation, and orgasm. When did the libido problems begin? Were these problems sudden or gradual? What else was going on in your life when your interest in sex took a nosedive?
Gradually, McHugh lost interest in sex. Even if she were in the presence of a smorgasbord of alluring men, McHugh feels she would not have the urge to merge. "Sexual desire does not seem to be a part of my nature anymore," she says.
McHugh is not alone. According to the findings of a NIH-sponsored survey published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (Feb. 10, 1999) 43 percent of women report recognizable sexual dysfunction. Problems range from not being able to have orgasms to having no sexual desire at all.
In fact, 35 percent of the estimated 40 to 50 million women who have sexual dysfunction have no or low sexual desire — what the experts call hypoactive sex drive, or HSD for short. By definition, women with HSD lack sexual fantasies, suddenly find sex uninteresting, and rarely masturbate. "They feel neutered — nothing turns them on," says Susan Kellogg-Spadt, director of sexual medicine at the Pelvic Floor Institute, Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia.
While women with HSD may not feel deprived without sex, a defining feature is that lack of libido causes distress. "I worry about losing my husband and am sad to be missing out on this natural — and pleasurable — part of living," says McHugh.
The devastating effect on women's self-esteem and a couple's relationship is compounded by the fact that ours is a hyper-sexualized society, says Kellogg-Spadt. "The media would have us believe that women are in sexual ecstasy simply by opening a bottle of herbal shampoo."
Libido Can Be Reclaimed
The good news is that libido can be restored, although it may take more than a Viagra-like aphrodisiac. With men, HSD is usually related to an erection problem. But a woman's lack of sexual desire is often more complex, and directly intertwined with many aspects of her life.
"Female sexual dysfunction is like a pie made up of relationship conflicts, emotional issues, past traumas, hormonal imbalances and physical responses such as pain, arousal, or orgasm problems," says Laura Berman, Ph.D, co-director of the Center for Women's Urology and Sexual Medicine at UCLA Medical Center and co-author of For Women: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Sexual Dysfunction and Reclaiming Your Sex Life. "A problem in one area impacts on the other," she says.
Emerging research is revealing that libido is neither all in your head nor all in your body, says Dr. Berman. "Reclaiming desire takes a mind-body approach customized to each woman's symptoms. There is no magic cure and no one set solution."
Uncovering the Sex Squelchers
You have to investigate a bit. Start by asking yourself what symptoms you have related to fantasies, arousal, vaginal dryness, genital sensation, and orgasm. When did the libido problems begin? Were these problems sudden or gradual? What else was going on in your life when your interest in sex took a nosedive?
Do women want a sex-drive drug?
Do women want a sex-drive drug?
If you could take a drug to become aroused -- not just to facilitate the hydraulics of arousal, as Viagra and other vascular sex aids do, but to actually make you horny -- would you?
I ask because MSNBC is reporting today that New Jersey-based Palatin Technologies says it is developing an aid that does just that. Bremelanotide, as the wonder potion is currently known, "stimulates the brain, rather than the genitals," or so the company says. The drug, which is a fast-acting inhalant rather than a pill, seems to work on men and women, but it's presented as being primarily for women, as a counterpart to Viagra et al. and as a potential cure for so-called female sexual dysfunction.
The controversy over FSD (which many consider to be that old canard "frigidity" with a new, pseudo-scientific title) is nothing new -- and, for that matter, the idea for faster-acting, inhalable sex drugs has been around a while too. And previous products claiming to address the problem haven't exactly caused the pharma-sexual revolution the industry has been hoping for, partly because the vascular approach to arousal hasn't worked as well for most women as it has for male Viagra fans.
Since the whole news story seems to be based on a Palatin press release, there's no way to know at this point whether the project will pan out as promised. But if it does, the drug could hardly come at a weirder time for women's health and sexuality in America. The country can't agree on such apparent no-brainers as access to emergency contraception and vaccines for sexually transmitted diseases; how will we cope with a female mojo maker? Will women have to be diagnosed as dysfunctional to get it? (Hello, hysteria.) Will it be covered by insurance? Will it be available to teenage girls? What happens when 1 million doofy teenage boys get the brilliant idea to spray girls in the face with it? (Answer: Given how inhalants work, probably nothing, but this seems like just the kind of "Saved by the Bell"-type scenario that the religious right would freak out about.) Or when Tommy swaps Susie's albuterol inhaler with a bremelanotide inhaler right before volleyball practice?
And will it be the end of foreplay?
In short, the prospect of an effective female sex-drive drug raises a lot of questions that male sex-drive drugs haven't. (Or at least regular Viagra hasn't caused the kind of furor that that "female Viagra" is likely to cause.) The arrival of such a drug could be a wonderful thing for many women, but the complexity of society's attitudes toward female sexuality almost guarantees controversy.
If you could take a drug to become aroused -- not just to facilitate the hydraulics of arousal, as Viagra and other vascular sex aids do, but to actually make you horny -- would you?
I ask because MSNBC is reporting today that New Jersey-based Palatin Technologies says it is developing an aid that does just that. Bremelanotide, as the wonder potion is currently known, "stimulates the brain, rather than the genitals," or so the company says. The drug, which is a fast-acting inhalant rather than a pill, seems to work on men and women, but it's presented as being primarily for women, as a counterpart to Viagra et al. and as a potential cure for so-called female sexual dysfunction.
The controversy over FSD (which many consider to be that old canard "frigidity" with a new, pseudo-scientific title) is nothing new -- and, for that matter, the idea for faster-acting, inhalable sex drugs has been around a while too. And previous products claiming to address the problem haven't exactly caused the pharma-sexual revolution the industry has been hoping for, partly because the vascular approach to arousal hasn't worked as well for most women as it has for male Viagra fans.
Since the whole news story seems to be based on a Palatin press release, there's no way to know at this point whether the project will pan out as promised. But if it does, the drug could hardly come at a weirder time for women's health and sexuality in America. The country can't agree on such apparent no-brainers as access to emergency contraception and vaccines for sexually transmitted diseases; how will we cope with a female mojo maker? Will women have to be diagnosed as dysfunctional to get it? (Hello, hysteria.) Will it be covered by insurance? Will it be available to teenage girls? What happens when 1 million doofy teenage boys get the brilliant idea to spray girls in the face with it? (Answer: Given how inhalants work, probably nothing, but this seems like just the kind of "Saved by the Bell"-type scenario that the religious right would freak out about.) Or when Tommy swaps Susie's albuterol inhaler with a bremelanotide inhaler right before volleyball practice?
And will it be the end of foreplay?
In short, the prospect of an effective female sex-drive drug raises a lot of questions that male sex-drive drugs haven't. (Or at least regular Viagra hasn't caused the kind of furor that that "female Viagra" is likely to cause.) The arrival of such a drug could be a wonderful thing for many women, but the complexity of society's attitudes toward female sexuality almost guarantees controversy.
Meditation for a Smart You
Meditation for a Smart You
For many of us anxious types, meditation is a hard sell. All that clearing of the mind, the crossing of the legs, the focus on breathing--
In. Out.
Zzzzz.
And we're asleep.
But even you doggedly Western types might want to give it another go. Because while it's long been known that meditation alters brain patterns, scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital and Yale University say meditation makes key parts of your brain . . . thicker.
Unlike being thick headed, that's a good thing.
The researchers compared MRI brain scans of 20 experienced meditators with 15 nonmeditators.
The MRI's showed an increased thickness in the right hemisphere of the brain, specifically in regions related to auditory, and visual perception, and our sense of touch. The brain parts that monitor things like heart rate or breathing were also beefier.
Not by much ... just 4 to 8 thousandths of an inch... but the study suggests that regular meditation may ALSO slow down the thinning of the frontal cortex that takes place normally as we age.
By contrast, yoga. . . is really really BAD for you. No. Just thought it would be fun to say that. I will atone by saying Ommm. . .
For many of us anxious types, meditation is a hard sell. All that clearing of the mind, the crossing of the legs, the focus on breathing--
In. Out.
Zzzzz.
And we're asleep.
But even you doggedly Western types might want to give it another go. Because while it's long been known that meditation alters brain patterns, scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital and Yale University say meditation makes key parts of your brain . . . thicker.
Unlike being thick headed, that's a good thing.
The researchers compared MRI brain scans of 20 experienced meditators with 15 nonmeditators.
The MRI's showed an increased thickness in the right hemisphere of the brain, specifically in regions related to auditory, and visual perception, and our sense of touch. The brain parts that monitor things like heart rate or breathing were also beefier.
Not by much ... just 4 to 8 thousandths of an inch... but the study suggests that regular meditation may ALSO slow down the thinning of the frontal cortex that takes place normally as we age.
By contrast, yoga. . . is really really BAD for you. No. Just thought it would be fun to say that. I will atone by saying Ommm. . .
The Search for Female Viagra - Part II
Cure in a Pill?
Even so, drug companies — banking on the success of Viagra — hope to find its female equivalent. At the moment, they are focused on developing a drug that increases blood flow to the female genitals, resulting in vaginal lubrication and relaxing vaginal muscles.
The concept is similar to Viagra, which increases blood flow to the penis, resulting in an erection. So far, there are some promising drugs on the horizon. These include prostaglandin, already approved for men, apomorphine and phentolamine, both of which are being tested for arousal disorder in women.
Whether drug companies succeed, the good news is that women needn't wait for a sex pill. They have options. Research shows that exercise, counseling, vaginal lubrication products and sex videos all can help put spur a woman's libido.
What's more, the three following options — while scientifically unproven — are readily available and also hold the promise for improving a woman's sex life.
* L-arginine amino acid cream
The same amino acid that has been used by athletes to promote muscle development is purported to increase blood flow to the female genitals, thus sparking sexual urges. "Our informal studies on 500 patients showed that 70 percent of women who applied this cream to the clitoris and labia a half hour before sex reported more arousal and stronger orgasms," says Dr. Jed Kaminetsky, clinical assistant professor of urology at the New York School of Medicine.
* DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone is a male hormone produced by the adrenal gland and ovaries and converted to testosterone and estrogen. DHEA, which depletes with age, can be purchased over the counter in supplement form.In one small study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Sept. 30, 1999), women who took 50 mg of DHEA daily noticed a significant increase in sexual interest. Other preliminary findings report encouraging results. However, most DHEA products lining the store shelves recommend taking only 25 mg per day. Because of its potential for heart attacks and breast cancer and masculating side-effects such as facial hair, DHEA is best used under a doctor's supervision.
* Testosterone therapy
For women who have undergone oophorectomy (the removal of one or both ovaries) and hysterectomy, testosterone treatment has shown to improve sexual function and psychological well being, according to recent research from Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital.
However, women looking to boost testosterone levels should work with their physician closely so the hormone can be monitored. Too much of it can cause, among other things, facial hair and change a women's voice, which is irreversible. Meanwhile, a study looking at the combination of L-arginine glutamate and yohimbine — a natural extract from tree bark that excites part of the central nervous system — has shown that postmenopausal women were more than twice as aroused after taking the combination drug and viewing an erotic film than women who took a placebo.
Even so, drug companies — banking on the success of Viagra — hope to find its female equivalent. At the moment, they are focused on developing a drug that increases blood flow to the female genitals, resulting in vaginal lubrication and relaxing vaginal muscles.
The concept is similar to Viagra, which increases blood flow to the penis, resulting in an erection. So far, there are some promising drugs on the horizon. These include prostaglandin, already approved for men, apomorphine and phentolamine, both of which are being tested for arousal disorder in women.
Whether drug companies succeed, the good news is that women needn't wait for a sex pill. They have options. Research shows that exercise, counseling, vaginal lubrication products and sex videos all can help put spur a woman's libido.
What's more, the three following options — while scientifically unproven — are readily available and also hold the promise for improving a woman's sex life.
* L-arginine amino acid cream
The same amino acid that has been used by athletes to promote muscle development is purported to increase blood flow to the female genitals, thus sparking sexual urges. "Our informal studies on 500 patients showed that 70 percent of women who applied this cream to the clitoris and labia a half hour before sex reported more arousal and stronger orgasms," says Dr. Jed Kaminetsky, clinical assistant professor of urology at the New York School of Medicine.
* DHEA
Dehydroepiandrosterone is a male hormone produced by the adrenal gland and ovaries and converted to testosterone and estrogen. DHEA, which depletes with age, can be purchased over the counter in supplement form.In one small study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Sept. 30, 1999), women who took 50 mg of DHEA daily noticed a significant increase in sexual interest. Other preliminary findings report encouraging results. However, most DHEA products lining the store shelves recommend taking only 25 mg per day. Because of its potential for heart attacks and breast cancer and masculating side-effects such as facial hair, DHEA is best used under a doctor's supervision.
* Testosterone therapy
For women who have undergone oophorectomy (the removal of one or both ovaries) and hysterectomy, testosterone treatment has shown to improve sexual function and psychological well being, according to recent research from Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital.
However, women looking to boost testosterone levels should work with their physician closely so the hormone can be monitored. Too much of it can cause, among other things, facial hair and change a women's voice, which is irreversible. Meanwhile, a study looking at the combination of L-arginine glutamate and yohimbine — a natural extract from tree bark that excites part of the central nervous system — has shown that postmenopausal women were more than twice as aroused after taking the combination drug and viewing an erotic film than women who took a placebo.
The Search for Female Viagra
Two years after Viagra stormed the market and revived erections for millions of men, many women are asking if a women's Viagra exists as a solution to their sex life. Is there a Viagra for women?
The short answer is no — at least not yet. But that could change within the next two or three years as drug companies and researchers race to develop a libido enhancer for a very large — and underserved — market.
Just how large? Some 43 percent of women suffer with sexual dysfunction, compared to 31 percent of men, according to University of Chicago researcher Dr. Edward Laumann. And some $2 to $3 billion will be spent within the next ten years on products aimed at improving the sex lives of these women.
The Drivers of Female Sexual Dysfunction
Female sexual dysfunction is characterized by a lack of desire, arousal and orgasm. Lack of desire is the chief complaint among women, affecting about one-third of them at some point in their lives, says Cindy Meston, assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.
The Cause?
A woman's lack of sexual interest is often tied to her relationship with her partner, says Sandra Lieblum, director for sexual and marital health at the UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, N.J. "The important sex organ [for women] is between the ears. Men need a place for having sex — women need a purpose," she says. But it can also be triggered by family concerns, illness or death, financial or job worries, childcare responsibilities, managing a career and children, previous or current physical and emotional abuse, fatigue and depression.
Indeed, female sexual dysfunction seems to be psychologically — rather than physically — rooted. "What the genitals are doing may play a less important role in how a woman defines her sexual arousal," says Meston. "I don't think there will ever be an aphrodisiac that will make [women] want to have sex all the time."
That's not to say its causes aren't physical, Lieblum says. Hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, thyroid disorders, neurological diseases and autoimmune disorders like lupus can all contribute to a woman's lack of sexual desire. Other factors include prescriptions drugs, particularly anti-hypertensives and depression medication, as well as over-the-counter medications and illegal drugs and alcohol abuse.
Why Not Viagra?
Viagra is designed to increase blood flow to the genitals. Viagra works well for many men who suffer with impotence — or erectile dysfunction — because it's considered a physical — rather than an emotional — problem. That's not to say that Viagra can't "restore function" for women, says Dr. Myron Murdoch, clinical instructor of urology at George Washington Medical School. It can, but it's not for all women.
While Viagra-like drugs may help the 20 percent of women reported to have difficulties with lubrication (blood flow to the female genitals increase lubrication), it's unknown to what degree such drugs would help the 43 percent of women with sexual dysfunction who either say they're uninterested in sex or that sex provides little pleasure.
The short answer is no — at least not yet. But that could change within the next two or three years as drug companies and researchers race to develop a libido enhancer for a very large — and underserved — market.
Just how large? Some 43 percent of women suffer with sexual dysfunction, compared to 31 percent of men, according to University of Chicago researcher Dr. Edward Laumann. And some $2 to $3 billion will be spent within the next ten years on products aimed at improving the sex lives of these women.
The Drivers of Female Sexual Dysfunction
Female sexual dysfunction is characterized by a lack of desire, arousal and orgasm. Lack of desire is the chief complaint among women, affecting about one-third of them at some point in their lives, says Cindy Meston, assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.
The Cause?
A woman's lack of sexual interest is often tied to her relationship with her partner, says Sandra Lieblum, director for sexual and marital health at the UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, N.J. "The important sex organ [for women] is between the ears. Men need a place for having sex — women need a purpose," she says. But it can also be triggered by family concerns, illness or death, financial or job worries, childcare responsibilities, managing a career and children, previous or current physical and emotional abuse, fatigue and depression.
Indeed, female sexual dysfunction seems to be psychologically — rather than physically — rooted. "What the genitals are doing may play a less important role in how a woman defines her sexual arousal," says Meston. "I don't think there will ever be an aphrodisiac that will make [women] want to have sex all the time."
That's not to say its causes aren't physical, Lieblum says. Hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, thyroid disorders, neurological diseases and autoimmune disorders like lupus can all contribute to a woman's lack of sexual desire. Other factors include prescriptions drugs, particularly anti-hypertensives and depression medication, as well as over-the-counter medications and illegal drugs and alcohol abuse.
Why Not Viagra?
Viagra is designed to increase blood flow to the genitals. Viagra works well for many men who suffer with impotence — or erectile dysfunction — because it's considered a physical — rather than an emotional — problem. That's not to say that Viagra can't "restore function" for women, says Dr. Myron Murdoch, clinical instructor of urology at George Washington Medical School. It can, but it's not for all women.
While Viagra-like drugs may help the 20 percent of women reported to have difficulties with lubrication (blood flow to the female genitals increase lubrication), it's unknown to what degree such drugs would help the 43 percent of women with sexual dysfunction who either say they're uninterested in sex or that sex provides little pleasure.
Nasal Spray for Sex - Bremelanotide
First came Viagra, which gave men the physical ability to you know what ... But being ABLE to ... doesn't necessarily mean you WANT to.
Science to the rescue! Welcome PT-141.
Not a vintage World War II boat but a treatment for male and female sexual dysfunction that works on the MOST important sensual organ the one between your ears. Your BRAIN.
The drug is being developed by a New Jersey company called Palatin. It works by acting on receptors for melanocortins, hormones involved in the control of several bodily functions, like the central nervous system.
Stimulating these receptors is thought to also stimulate . . . the urge.
Indeed, a 2004 study by researchers at Concordia University in Montreal showed a three-to-five fold "increase in solicitations" by females rats given the drug.
Drugs like Viagra increase blood flow and don't seem to affect female sexual response. PT-141 doesn't discriminate--gets men and women in the mood for love ... human trials are underway in both.
If successful, it will be marketed to males with the dreaded ED-- erectile dysfunction--and, in a first, to women with sexual dysfunction.
How do you get your dose of PT-141? Forget little blue pills. This one comes by NASAL SPRAY. You sniff it. Cavalierly. . .
Out of your merlot.
The drug's catchy new name: bremelanotide. To get into the mood for love, baby .. think bremelanotide...
Science to the rescue! Welcome PT-141.
Not a vintage World War II boat but a treatment for male and female sexual dysfunction that works on the MOST important sensual organ the one between your ears. Your BRAIN.
The drug is being developed by a New Jersey company called Palatin. It works by acting on receptors for melanocortins, hormones involved in the control of several bodily functions, like the central nervous system.
Stimulating these receptors is thought to also stimulate . . . the urge.
Indeed, a 2004 study by researchers at Concordia University in Montreal showed a three-to-five fold "increase in solicitations" by females rats given the drug.
Drugs like Viagra increase blood flow and don't seem to affect female sexual response. PT-141 doesn't discriminate--gets men and women in the mood for love ... human trials are underway in both.
If successful, it will be marketed to males with the dreaded ED-- erectile dysfunction--and, in a first, to women with sexual dysfunction.
How do you get your dose of PT-141? Forget little blue pills. This one comes by NASAL SPRAY. You sniff it. Cavalierly. . .
Out of your merlot.
The drug's catchy new name: bremelanotide. To get into the mood for love, baby .. think bremelanotide...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
