Effect of sildenafil on subjective and physiologic parameters of the female sexual response in women with sexual arousal disorder

Sexual dysfunction is a complaint of 30-50% of American women. Aside from h ormone replacement therapy, there are no current FDA-approved medical treat ments medical treatments for female sexual complaints. The goal of this pil ot study was to determine safety and efficacy of sildenafil for use in wome n with sexual arousal disorder (SAD). Evaluations were completed on 48 wome n with complaints of SAD. Physiologic measurements, including genital blood flow, vaginal lubrication, intravaginal pressure-volume changes, and genita l sensation were recorded pre- and postsexual stimulation at baseline and f ollowing 100 mg sildenafil. Subjectitve sexual function was assessed using a validated sexual function inventory at baseline and following 6 weeks of home use of sildenafil. At termination of the study, patients also complete d an intervention efficacy index (FIEI). Following sildenafil, poststimulat ion physiologic measurements improved significantly, compared to baseline. Baseline subjective sexual fiinction complaints, including low arousal, low , desire, low sexual satisfaction, difficulty, achieving orgasm, decreased vaginal lubrication, and dyspareunia also improved significantly, following 6 weeks home use of sildenafil. Sildenafil appears to significantly improv e both subjective and physiologic parameters of the female sexual response. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are currently in progress to furt her determine efficacy of this medication for treatment of female sexual dy sfunction complaints in different populations of women.