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• Female Viagra: the little pink pill

Since the release and success of Viagra for male erectile problems, pharmaceutical companies have been frantically searching for the next huge money maker: a drug that will improve women’s sex lives. Companies are looking to develop a medical treatment for Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD), which can include problems with desire, arousal and orgasm. The goal of the products currently in development is to increase sexual desire, partly by engorging the genitals with blood, increasing genital “awareness,” with the hope that this increase in physical sensation would lead to an increase in desire for sex by women and intensify physical pleasure.

There’s certainly a market for the little pink pill. Problems with desire are the chief complaint of women and couples who access sex counseling or therapy, and it’s estimated that 43% of women suffer from sexual problems. However, controversy exists over how we assess and measure supposed sexual problems and what is considered “normal.” In addition, questions abound about the medicalization of sexuality and using prescriptions to potentially create problems — and then cure — them.

Bigger Hurdles

Creating a female version of Viagra is more difficult than it was for men, partly because physical arousal for women doesn’t always equal increased desire or more sex. Medications are limited and don’t address the numerous other factors that affect our sexual functioning. This holds true for men, too, although there was little if any controversy about that when Viagra was in clinical trials. Even with the use of Viagra, men cannot always get erections. Simply put, sexual functioning is not solely mechanical for women or men.

What’s Good for Women?

Controversy around this issue prompted a group of psychologists, medical doctors, academics, and feminists to form the New View Campaign to “resist the pharmaceutical industry’s notion that sexual dissatisfaction is a ‘disease’ that needs to be treated with a drug.” According to their website, the New View Campaign believes that most of women’s sexual problems are due to cultural conditions, such as relationship issues, sexual abuse, poor sex education or stress from overwork.

Part of the concern around the creation of these drugs is the way they will be marketed. As with other medications, the pharmaceutical companies will highlight symptoms that may lead many people to believe they need a prescription. We can imagine how commercials might sound. ”Do you desire sex less often than you used to? Has your partner noticed you aren’t in the mood anymore? You may have a condition known as FSD, and help is now available.” This can create feelings of inadequacy in women (and their partners), who may believe they need to be “fixed” when they were not previously bothered by their level of desire.

Quick Fix or Fixin’ for Failure?

Sometimes medical interventions do help and can be the least invasive solution to a sexual problem. Not everyone would choose “talk therapy” to address their sexual issues if obtaining medication from their doctor could help. As with many problems people face, there may be multiple solutions

It is true that decreased desire is often caused by non-physical factors or a combination of factors. Stress, fatigue and depression are examples of non-physical causes that can manifest in physical symptoms that affect sexual functioning. In addition, it’s a myth that women in general aren’t bothered by their lack of interest in sex or lack of pleasure they derive from having sex.

With a medical approach, something like a pill may be beneficial in increasing the physical desire for sex, which in some cases, might lead to more sex and pleasure. If a woman begins engaging in sex because of this, it can have a beneficial affect on depression (including perhaps the relationship, intimacy, and endorphins being released). Women may then feel better in general, leading to a natural increase in sexual desire. On the other hand, it may not have this affect at all, leaving women more stressed and upset over their sex lives.

A Better Cure

For both men and women, there is a desire by both those experiencing sexual problems and society to ensure that folks are functioning properly. Less attention is placed on examining why a person might be experiencing a problem to begin with, and examining all the factors involved that could be addressed without medication.

We believe the answer lies in better sex education, and a society that supports positive sexuality for all people, all the time, not just when companies look to profit from it. New View put it best: “comprehensive sex education is key to a successful personal sexual life and a sexually successful society.” We couldn’t agree more!

Stay tuned next week as we discuss sex after 50.