EPHEDRINE-ACTIVATED PHYSIOLOGICAL SEXUAL AROUSAL IN WOMEN

Background: The present investigation was designed to provide the firs t empirical examination of the effects of ephedrine sulfate, an alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonist, on subjective and physiological sexual a rousal in women. The purpose was to help elucidate the effects of incr eased peripheral adrenergic activity on sexual response in women. Meth ods: Twenty sexually functional women participated in 2 experimental c onditions in which subjective (self-report) and physiological (vaginal photoplethysmography) sexual responses to erotic stimuli were measure d following administration of either ephedrine sulfate (50 mg) or plac ebo in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over protocol. Results: Ephed rine significantly (P<.01) increased vaginal pulse amplitude responses to the erotic films and had no significant (P>.10) effect on subjecti ve ratings of sexual arousal. Conclusions: Ephedrine tan significantly facilitate the initial stages of physiological sexual arousal in wome n. These findings have implications for deriving new pharmacological a pproaches to the management of sexual dysfunction in women.