Viagra Benefits Women on Antidepressants

Pfizer released Viagra in 1998 for men, and not long afterwards, Pfizer began to study its use for women. In a recent blog entry, editors at Health Science News discussed Viagra and women, the pros and cons of Viagra and women, in addition recently it has been revealed in other studies that documentation points to the success of Viagra in the female population.

Women With Depression Benefit from Viagra

Women who are suffering from depression may also have the unpleasant side effect of decreased libido. The women examined in these recent studies were in their pre-menopausal years and were also being treated for their depression with anti-depressant medication. It is important to note, however, that the women's depression was in remission.

Leading researcher of sexual medicine at the Alvarado Hospital, which is located in San Diego California, Dr. Goldstein has treated women by prescribing Viagra, and he noted that there are a lot of similarities between men and women regarding their sexual drive.

Study Reveals Hope for Women Who Suffer From Depression and Decreased Sex Drive

The study conducted separated women participants into two different groups, one group which was asked to take the drug Viagra up to two hours prior to sexual activity for a period of eight weeks. The second group of female study participants was given a placebo and both groups were tested.

At the conclusion of the study, it was discovered that over seventy percent of the women who were given Viagra showed increased sexual desire, while only twenty percent of the female participants who were given the placebo showed improvement.

Study Concludes - Testosterone the Key

Dr. Goldstein noted that the key is testosterone levels and as long as women do not have health issues with testosterone, the drug can help them combat reduced libido.

More Studies Back Up Goldstein's Findings

Yet another study, which was conducted in Italy on female diabetics, found similar results - that women with normal testosterone levels were helped with Viagra.

The Director of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, which focuses on Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, Julia R. Heiman, found that sexual side consequences of antidepressants can make such an impact on women's lives that they actually discontinue their use, which can put them at risk for increased depression symptoms.

The study's findings revealed that Viagra could counteract the decreased sexual effects, said Dr. Andrew Leuchter, who is a leading professor of psychiatry at the UCLA medical center. Dr. Leuchter was not involved in the study.

Mixed Reviews

There are mixed reviews on the issue of Viagra and women’s use. A leading endocrinologist, who is chairman of the department of medicine at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, noted that Viagra could possibly not work as efficiently as it did in the studies. Real world results could be less prominent. And the side effects of women who use Viagra are not without notice. For example, some women who took the Viagra drug reported headaches or even flushing. Dr. Glenn Braustein noted that these effects could have affected the study because the participants might have realized that they had taken Viagra due to the side effects, and this realization could have affected their sexual performance.

Dr. Braustein noted that these studies are provocative and stated that he would like to see more studies that could confirm the same results in larger groups of women.

Consult a Professional

Women should be cautioned that rather than asking their partner for a Viagra pill, they should instead consult with a professional if they are considering the pros and cons of Viagra.

For further reading:

• http://www.latimes.com/news/science/la-sci-viagra23-2008jul23,0,2061531.story

Viagra and Women - Health Issues Investigated

Viagra and Women's Health

Not often is there a medication introduced to the public that has such fast market growth as the drug Viagra. Pfizer's drug, Viagra, was introduced in 1999 and quickly became one of the most widely prescribed medications of our time. But until recently, its use was limited to males.

In the past few weeks, however, The Journal of American Medical Association released a publication, which studied the erectile-dysfunction drug and stated that Viagra use in women can lessen unfavorable sexual effects that may result from antidepressants.

And as expected, the sales of Viagra, which have pretty much remained stale for almost a decade, could increase after the news of this revelation was released to the public.

Researchers Probe Viagra Use For Women

The doctors who conducted the query, from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, deduce that antidepressant regime-associated sexual dysfunction occurs in nearly thirty to seventy percent of patients who are seeking help for major depression. The JAMA passage said it is credible that no trial study has proven an adequate treatment for women suffering from sexual dysfunction resulting from antidepressant drugs.

And researchers revealed that comparatively twenty-eight percent of the women who were administered Viagra showed no improvement, likewise seventy-three percent of women taking a placebo. The study showed no grave adverse effects, however it was noted that up to forty-three percent of the women who took Viagra complained of headaches. Researchers stated that this was worrisome.

The authors recognized women suffer from excessive depressive disorder at almost double the rate of men and also suffer more subsequent sexual dysfunction. The researchers noted that by focusing treatment on the treatment-associated issue it could reduce the likelihood of these women prematurely discontinuing the medication use and increase the possibility of improving the depression disease management.

Pfizer, the world's largest drug producer when measured by sales worldwide, has been battling substantial generic competition that exists for its most widely purchased drugs.

What Can Cause Women's Lack of Sexual Interest?

A woman's deficient sexual enthusiasm is frequently tied to her relationship with her companion, according to Sandra Lieblum, who is the professor for sexual and marital health at the UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, N.J. Lieblum states that women's sexual desire lies in the area between her ears. While men need an occasion for having sex — women need a reason and this evokes the importance of sexual interest for women. But disinterest in sex for women can also be set in motion by family concerns, sickness or death, monetary or job worries, childcare roles, managing a career and children, prior or existing physical and emotional abuse, tiredness and sadness.

Actually, female sexual dysfunction is more often than not psychologically, instead of physically established. Women's desire to have sex is often not due to genital arousal, according to Cindy Meston, assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Meston continues by stating that she does not think there is an aphrodisiac that will shape women's desire to have sex all of the time.

Physical Issues That Reduce Women's Sexual Desire

Lieblum at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey also stated that the causes could be physical, such as hypertension, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, thyroid disorders, neurological diseases and autoimmune disorders like lupus can all evoke a reduction in women's neglect of sexual desire. Additional factors fall under the umbrella of prescriptions drug usage, above all anti-hypertensive and depression medication, including over-the-counter medications and illegal drugs and alcohol misusage.

Is the Use of Viagra by Women Oversimplified?

At New York University School of Medicine, psychologist Leonore Tiefer stated that "industry-funded" studies such as this might oversimplify a women's sexual desire. She stated that the new investigation, which was funded by a Pfizer grant, discovered more side effects than benefits.

Other Studies Involving Antidepressants and Sexual Desire

A previously conducted study involving men who follow an antidepressant regimen discovered more pronounced sexual benefits with Viagra than the benefits found for women, according to senior study author Dr. George Nurnberg, who is a leading psychiatrist at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in Albuquerque.

But the point is that both men and women who require antidepressants and suffer from sexual disinterest may benefit from Viagra, he said. Nurnberg continued that this issue is not about a lifestyle need, but instead about a medical necessity. The drug company, Pfizer, had little or no influence on the design or results of the study, according to Nurnberg. He and many of the other authors disclosed financial ties to Pfizer and varied drug makers.

Women, Antidepressants and Viagra

Women who suffer from sexual side effects during an antidepressant regimen are nearly three times more likely to abruptly stop taking SRIs, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, as are other women on these antidepressants, earlier research showed. And women who participated in the new study continued with their regimen of SRI antidepressants during the eight-week test period. Some SRIs consist of medications such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Lexapro, Celexa and Anafranil.

Study Reviews Mixed

Clinical psychologist and director of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, Julia Heiman, noted that this study was somewhat small with important but moderate effects. It doesn't disclose a broad new prototype for women who have sexual troubles. Within this group of women, this avenue could be somewhat helpful, and could be sufficient to make a change.

Pink Viagra and Women's Health

Meantime, various other studies persist to search for a "pink Viagra," centering on women's prescription usage for testosterone patches, a combination estrogen-testosterone dosage of an antidepressant that acts differently from the SRIs.

If you have questions about women and Viagra, consult your physician for a more detailed health analysis.

Scientists Continue to Test Safety and Long-Term Effects of Viagra

It's not often that a prescription drug actually impacts the culture at large, but it's virtually impossible to overstate the significance of the prescription drug Viagra. Designed to combat male impotence and erectile dysfunction and help enhance male sexual performance, Viagra was introduced by pharmaceutical industry giant Pfizer in 1999.

Within months, Viagra would go on to break all known sales records, pulling in total revenue of over $1 billion in the period from 1999-2001. With the help of the drug, vast swaths of the male population that had previously been barred from intimacy due to age or health problems were reintroduced to physical intimacy. This trend had a number of unforeseen consequences, including a resurgence of sexually transmitted diseases among elderly populations that public health officials are still grappling with.

Despite its widespread usage, some concerns still linger about the safety of Viagra. Because many of the drug?s users are already facing other health challenges, some scientists have cautioned that the long-term effects of the drug should be scrutinized more closely. This week, we?ll survey the results of several recent studies that have taken a second look at Viagra and its possible side effects.

Viagra May Suppress Male Fertility, Study Shows

Millions of men have credited Viagra with reinvigorating their sex lives. But according to the results of a recent study, this renewed intimacy may come at a steep price.

A team of researchers working at Queen?s University in Belfast has found preliminary indications that ongoing Viagra use may impede male fertility. In a study designed to assess the impact of Viagra on sperm motility and behavior, it was found that sperm that have come in contact with the drug behave in unexpected ways.

In general, Viagra-treated sperm were found to be more active and mobile than sperm that have not been exposed to the drug. However, this increased mobility does not appear to have an equal impact in the sperm?s ability to fertilize eggs.

In addition, it was found that sperm exposed to Viagra over a period of time exhibited a number of characteristics signs of damage. In particular, these sperm tended to have signs of damage in the acrosome area, which is a unique structure that produces enzymes that help sperm penetrate eggs.

In a simultaneous study, it was found that mice that had been treated with Viagra produced, on average, 40% fewer viable embryos than did their counterparts that had not received the drug. Although all of these results were described as preliminary and unconfirmed, the researchers urged further investigation into the effects of Viagra upon male fertility.

British Study Confirms General Safety of Viagra Use

Some critics of Viagra have argued that the drug?s sudden popularity surge outpaced the pharmaceutical industry?s ability to thoroughly vet its safety. To counter these concerns, researchers all over the world have recently begun to focus their efforts on second-line studies testing the safety and effectiveness of the well-known treatment for male erectile dysfunction.

In one such study, scientists at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage, England sought to assess the overall safety and efficacy of sildenafil, which is the basic compound used in Viagra. The study tested the drug and measured its impact in a population of 147 men with previously confirmed cases of erectile dysfunction.

According to the results, 91% of the men in the study reported that the treatment satisfactorily addressed their erectile dysfunction, and 80% expressed a desire to continue the drug after the conclusion of the study. No major side effects were observed, but common complaints of symptoms such as headaches, flushing, and vision abnormalities. However, the researchers concluded that the drug was safe for the general population.

Major Study of Viagra?s Safety Yields Few Problems

Researchers at the Changi General Hospital in Singapore recently undertook a major meta-analysis of the safety and side effects of long-term Viagra usage. According to the study, the most significant risk associated with the drug is in patients with preexisting cardiac problems.

The researchers found that the undesirable side effects associated with Viagra usage were largely related to the drug?s unique action on the vascular system, and were not dangerous in the majority of cases. The researchers concluded that if properly prescribed and monitored, Viagra was safe for most otherwise healthy patients.

If you or your partner are looking for help with male erectile dysfunction or other sexual performance issues, talk to your doctor for a full assessment of your options. Please check back each week for more breaking health science news!

Scientists Study Viagra's Bonus Benefits

Since its introduction to the pharmaceutical market in 1998, Viagra has become one of the greatest prescription drug success stories of all time. Within a decade of its release, sales of the drug had topped the $1 billion mark, breaking many records that were long held by medications for more life-threatening illnesses.

Viagra was the first drug that was approved for prescription use as a treatment for male erectile dysfunction. The drug works by initiating relaxation and dilation in key areas of the male sexual organs. This, in turn, increases the free movement of blood toward the genitals, allowing for an erection.

Experts credit the popularity of Viagra with bringing the problem of male erectile dysfunction to the forefront. Before advertisements for Viagra became a staple of the mainstream print and broadcast media, erectile dysfunction was rarely discussed in public, in spite of the fact that as many as one in ten men experience some level of impotence throughout their lives. After the advent of Viagra, reports indicate that millions of men began discussing this once-shameful secret and seeking medical advice for the problem.

It's well known that Viagra is effective for helping men overcome sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction. However, in recent years, researchers have been studying "off-label" uses for the drug, as well.

Because of its proven ability to improve circulation and blood flow, some of the main areas of interest for off-label use of Viagra have been cardiovascular and circulatory problems. This week, we'll look at the results of three recent studies that have explored non-sexual applications for the drug.

Viagra May be a Lifesaver for Patients with Heart Problems

Viagra's already known for reviving love lives that have been marred by male erectile dysfunction, but according to researchers at the University of Alberta, it may be a literal lifesaver for patients with a unique type of heart failure.

Because of the drug's unique ability to boost blood flow and circulation in targeted areas, the scientists have posited that it may be effective in helping patients with a failure of the right ventricle of the heart. This rare condition can be fatal, and at the current time, there is no known treatment for the disorder.

The same team of researchers was responsible for uncovering Viagra' s effectiveness as a treatment for pulmonary hypertension. Now, they are focusing their efforts on uncovering a new formulation of the drug that can bolster the performance of the right ventricle of the heart. Although much more experimentation will be necessary before a commercial version of the final product is likely to be released, the researchers report that they already have several promising leads.

Viagra Could Help Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis

Millions of people around the world suffer from pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable that is characterized by scarring and hardening of the lung tissue. Although lung transplants can help some patients who are suffering from pulmonary fibrosis, there is no known treatment that can slow the course of the disease or treat its painful symptoms.

According to a study conducted by researchers at UCLA, however, Viagra's unique ability to relax smooth tissue and improve circulation could mean that the drug is an effective treatment for pulmonary fibrosis. The findings indicate that patients taking Viagra had improved long capacity and were able to engage in active exertion for up to 20% longer than the control group. More testing is needed, but the researchers are encouraged by the preliminary findings.

Researchers Uncover Many Heretofore Unknown Applications for Viagra

A recent literature review conducted by scientists at Harvard Medical School has identified a number of possible uses for the drug Viagra -- none of which have anything to do with erectile dysfunction. It was found that the most popular non-sexual use for the drug is the treatment of pulmonary hypertension, which is a concentration of high blog pressure in the lung's vascular system. In fact, Viagra is now marketed under the name Revatio for this purpose.

Viagra has also been found to help overcome the altitude sickness that can occur in high-elevation locales by relieving pressure on the pulmonary arteries. This application may be especially beneficial for athletes or outdoor enthusiasts who regularly exercise at high altitudes.

In addition, several major studies are now being conducted to determine whether Viagra may be a helpful treatment for patients with heart disease, heart failure, or diastolic dysfunction.

If you think that you or a loved one may be able to benefit from Viagra, talk to your doctor for a personalized assessment of the risks and benefits. Check back here each week for more of the health science news you need!