female-sexual-response-study

Phosphodiesterase
Type 5 Inhibitors and Female Sexual Response: Faulty Protocols or
Paradigms?

Meredith L.
Chivers, PhD,* and Raymond C. Rosen, PhD ^†

*Queen’s
University, Psychology, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; ^† New
England Research Institutes Inc., Watertown, MA, USA

"color:#333333">Correspondence to Meredith L. Chivers, PhD, Department of
Psychology, Queen’s University, 354 Hamphrey Hall, 62 Arch Street,
Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada. Tel: (613) 533-2889; Fax: (613) 533-2499;
E-mail:
meredith.chivers@queensu.ca

KEYWORDS

Female
Sexual Arousal • Female Sexual Dysfunction • Sildenafil • Sexual
Concordance • Gender Difference • PDE5 Inhibitors for Female Sexual
Dysfunction

ABSTRACT

Introduction.
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5), such as sildenafil,
tadalafil, and vardenafil, have revolutionized the treatment of erectile
dysfunction. Few successes, in contrast, have been reported for the use
of these agents in treatment of sexual arousal problems in women.

Aim.
To review research examining efficacy of PDE5 in women, critique the
methods and models employed, and integrate the findings within a broader,
gender-specific understanding of female sexual response.

Methods.
A conceptual and methodological review of all published studies examining
PDE5 efficacy in female samples.

Main Outcome
Measures. Study methods, populations, outcome measures, study
results.

Results.
A total of 16 studies were reviewed. Studies using self-reported measures
of sexual functioning showed mixed results whereas studies examining
physiological effects of PDE5 on genital vasocongestion consistently
report significant effects on genital sexual response.

Conclusions.
The lack of efficacy of PDE5 treatment in women is likely attributable to
gender differences in the concordance between physiological and
psychological components of sexual response. Discordance between genital
and subjective measures of sexual response in women may be augmented by
PDE5 effects on genital vasocongestion in some populations, rendering
successful treatment unlikely via pharmacological treatment alone.
Chivers M, and Rosen RC. PDE5 inhibitors and female sexual
response: Faulty protocols or paradigms? J Sex Med
**;**:**–**.

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DIGITAL OBJECT
IDENTIFIER (DOI)

“10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01599.x

About DOI

12/18/2009 10:24 PM