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Use of sildenafil for female sexual dysfunction
Kelly M Shields1, Sandra L Hrometz
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810-1078, USA. k-shields@onu.edu
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|April 20, 2006
Summary
Sildenafil is not an effective treatment for female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Comprehensive treatment for FSD should address both physical and psychological factors, as current data shows limited benefit from sildenafil.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Urology
- Women's Health
Background:
- Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) lacks a clear pathophysiological understanding, limiting effective treatment options.
- Current therapeutic strategies for FSD are insufficient to address the complexity of the condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the pathophysiology of FSD.
- To evaluate the existing literature on sildenafil's efficacy and safety for treating FSD.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using MEDLINE, Iowa Drug Information Service, and EMBASE databases.
- Search terms included "female sexual dysfunction," "sexual dysfunction, psychological," "phosphodiesterase inhibitors," and "sildenafil."
- Studies published from 1966 to April 2006 were reviewed.
Main Results:
- Many clinical trials evaluating sildenafil for FSD were of poor quality, hindering clinical application.
- The available evidence does not support sildenafil as an effective treatment for FSD.
- Sildenafil was generally well-tolerated in studies, but efficacy was minimal.
Conclusions:
- Effective treatment for FSD requires addressing both physical and psychological components.
- Based on current limited data, sildenafil offers little to no benefit for the majority of patients with FSD.
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