Study summary · research use only
Pharmacologic therapeutic options for sexual dysfunction
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This review discusses pharmacologic treatment options for sexual dysfunction in human patients, noting the abstract's report that sexual problems occur in up to 45% of individuals assigned female at birth. It describes local estrogen and testosterone replacement for postmenopausal individuals and centrally-acting therapies such as flibanserin, bremelanotide, and testosterone for premenopausal individuals with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. The review states these options address vaginal hormonal changes after menopause and central excitatory/inhibitory pathways involved in desire, and that recent publications and systematic reviews have added supportive data on existing FDA-approved medications and off-label therapies, describing them as usable to improve sexual desire and satisfaction.
Abstract
Sexual problems are reported by up to 45% of individuals assigned female at birth. Although sexual function is a complex biopsychosocial construct, there are a number of pharmacologic treatment options aimed at addressing the changing vaginal hormonal milieu in postmenopausal individuals and moderating the excitatory and inhibitory aspects of the central nervous system in those with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. The last decade has seen an increase in the number and type of pharmacologic treatment options for dysfunction primarily associated with menopause and hypoactive sexual desire disorder. Recent publications and systematic reviews have strengthened the safety data of existing FDA-approved medications as well as off-label therapies. Pharmacologic treatment with local estrogen and testosterone replacement in postmenopausal individuals and with centrally-acting therapies such as flibanserin, bremelanotide, and testosterone in premenopausal individuals assigned female at birth are safe and can be used to improve sexual desire and sexual satisfaction.
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