Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review of Outcomes Across Various Treatment Modalities

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a highly prevalent condition. Nevertheless, the scientific literature has only recently begun to accumulate evidence for treatment modalities that address the underlying etiologies of FSD.

The purpose of this systematic review is to elucidate what treatments are effective across the various symptom complexes of FSD.

Utilizing Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines, we conducted a systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE, clinicaltrials.gov, and the Cochrane Review databases. Eleven search strings, encompassing the terms "female sexual dysfunction" and "treatment," in combination with "vulvovaginal atrophy," "vaginismus," "vaginal atrophy," "vulvodynia," "vestibulitis," "hypoactive sexual desire," "arousal disorder," "sexual pain disorder," "genitourinary syndrome of menopause," and "orgasmic disorder" were utilized. 605 Relevant articles were retrieved. A total of 103 original studies met inclusion criteria.

We assess peer-reviewed literature.

42 Treatment modalities were utilized, including 26 different classes of medications. Although outcome measures varied, the most substantial improvement across multiple studies was noted with various hormonal regimens. The most common treatments included hormonal therapy (25 studies), phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (9 studies), botulinum toxin A (5 studies), and flibanserin (5 studies). The psychotherapeutic approach was detailed in 36 articles while 3 studies utilized homeopathic treatments. Numerous treatments showed efficacy in a single case series, including the promising results associated with the micro-ablative carbon-dioxide laser. Despite the marked improvement in specific FSD domains, neither pharmacologic treatments nor psychotherapeutic interventions demonstrate consistent disease resolution.

Treatment of FSD is multi-factorial; medications alone do not resolve FSD. The wide variability of treatment and outcome measures across the literature attests to the complexity of FSD and the need for a treatment algorithm that addresses all 4 domains of FSD. Weinberger JM, Houman J, Caron AT, et al. Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review of Outcomes Across Various Treatment Modalities. Sex Med Rev 2019;7:223-250.