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Effect of sildenafil on clitoral blood flow and sexual response in postmenopausal women with orgasmic dysfunction
Ana L Cavalcanti1, Vicente R Bagnoli, Angela M Fonseca
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Objective:
To analyze the effects of sildenafil citrate on clitoral blood flow and sexual response in postmenopausal women with orgasmic dysfunction.
Method:
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 22 women received a 50-mg dose of sildenafil (n=11) or placebo (n=11) daily for 15 days. The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) was used for subjective evaluation of the sexual-response cycle. Clitoral blood flow was measured by color and pulse Doppler at baseline, after 1 hour of taking the first dose, and after 15 days of treatment.
Results:
Blood flow was significantly more improved in the sildenafil than in the placebo group (P<0.05), and a positive correlation between Doppler values and GRISS scores was noted in the sildenafil group after only 15 days of treatment.
Conclusion:
Sildenafil may improve clitoral blood flow and increase the GRISS scores in postmenopausal women with orgasmic dysfunction.
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