In 2004, Pfizer Inc., the makers of the Viagra pill—introduced to improve men’s sexual health and functioning—announced that they would be abandoning eight years of previous research conducted in an attempt to develop a drug similar to Viagra to improve female libido and sexual health. Other products designed to improve sexual health in women are available, but can these Viagra alternatives provide effective results when it comes in increasing sexual desire in women?
How Does Viagra Work?
Viagra works by blocking an enzyme that acts as an inhibitor of blood flow. In men, this can cause penile tissue to swell. When a man takes Viagra, there is an increase in blood flow to the genital areas, which thus helps to treat erectile dysfunction or impotence in men.
The same enzyme inhibitor affecting male sexual dysfunction influences pelvic blood flow in women. The Viagra research team attempted to find a link between arousal in women and pelvic blood flow in the early stages of trials. However, this attempt failed, and some researchers even suggested that genital arousal in women does not necessarily produce sexual desire in women as it typically does in men. Women may define sexual arousal based on mental and emotional, as well as biological factors.
According to some of the researchers working on the Viagra team, Viagra for women or a Viagra alternative may help women facing sexual dysfunction due to side effects of other medication. In cases where sexual desire is inhibited due to emotional or psychological factors, a female Viagra solution may not be applicable.
Women and Sexual Health
Approximately 43% of women suffer from some form of sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction in women is characterized by a lack of desire, arousal, or orgasm. Lack of desire is considered to be the most common complaint among these women. Approximately 20% of these women report having difficulties with lubrication, which can be assisted by Viagra-like drugs that may increase blood flow to the genitals.
Some common factors that inhibit women’s sexual health include:
* family concerns
* relationship concerns
* illness or death
* financial or job worries
* childcare responsibilities
* previous or current physical or emotional abuse
* fatigue
* depression
Physical factors that may be contributing to sexual dysfunction in women include:
* hypertension
* heart disease
* cancer
* diabetes
* thyroid disorders
* neurological diseases
* autoimmune disorders such as lupus
* prescription drugs such as anti-hypertensives and depression medication
* over-the-counter medications
* drug and alcohol abuse
Solutions Available: Alternatives To Viagra
Currently, drug companies are looking to provide a treatment similar to Viagra for women that would increase the blood flow to the genitals in order to increase lubrication and relax vaginal muscles.
Some products and treatments already available include:
* L-arginine amino acid cream purported to increase vaginal blood flow using the same amino acid previously used by athletes to increase muscle development
* DHEA or the use of supplements of the male hormone Dehydroepiandrosterone, which is produced both by the adrenal gland and ovaries and converted into testosterone and estrogen. However, use of these supplements carries the risk of heart attacks, breast cancer, and emasculating side effects may also occur
* Testosterone Therapy for women who have undergone an oophorectomy (ovary removal) or a hysterectomy. A testosterone patch has recently been created to improve sexual health in women, but has failed to gain approval by the FDA
Many of these products and treatments require close monitoring by a physician since side effects can be severe and include irreversible changes in a woman’s voice or facial hair. In addition, all of the above options have yet to be scientifically validated.
The best treatment for sexual dysfunction in women may simply be exercise, counseling, and vaginal lubrication products which can act as more natural alternatives to Viagra and improve your overall health and wellness.
Source: http://womens-health.co.uk/
Viagra for Women
Epilepsy during pregnancy
Consulting your doctor is very important if you suffer from epilepsy and want to get pregnant. The medications you take for your epilepsy may cause complications and may be harmful for your unborn baby. So, it is very wise and essential that you consult your neurologist or family physician before you try to get pregnant.
Most of the time, women with epilepsy are able to have healthy babies. However, they are at greater risk than non-epileptic women to have more complications during their pregnancies and labor. During pregnancy, some epileptic women even with their continued use of epilepsy drugs may suffer from an increase in seizure activity while other women may not suffer any seizures at all. The reason for this may be because during pregnancy, a woman may experience a lot of vomiting which may cause low concentration of anti-epileptic medication in her bloodstream. Therefore, it is very important to seek your doctor's advice because any increase in seizure activity would be very harmful for the baby. People with epilepsy are also most likely to fall and suffer from lack of oxygen during seizures. So, having a seizure during pregnancy could be very dangerous.
Women with epilepsy also have increased chances of giving birth to a baby with defects. These defects are caused by the anti-epileptic medications and may cause deformities in the face, limbs and fingers and toes. Your baby may also be born with ventricular septal defects and neural tube defects. So, consult your doctor about the abnormalities before you get pregnant. Your doctor may recommend you to take ultrasound and an amniocentesis test, which identify birth defects.
Finally, before you get pregnant, you doctor may also recommend that you take a dose of Folic acid every day to help minimize abnormalities in your unborn baby. He or she may also advise you to take Vitamin K to guard hemorrhage in the newborn baby. So, before you get pregnant, set up an appointment with you physician and discuss with him the possibilities and complications of having seizures during pregnancy. Also, speak to him or her about your medication about adjusting your drug dose or changing your drug dose. However, always keep in mind that you never to change your drug dose without consulting your doctor.
Source: womens-health.co.uk
Ovulation Bleeding
Ovulation Bleeding is different from menstrual flow. The color of Ovulation Bleeding varies from pink to red, is light and for 1 or 2 days duration. If bleeding occurs at 2 weeks interval then it is due to lack of ovulation and can be due to irritation to cervix or polyps in cervix or uterus. A clinical examination with an ultrasound image of pelvic organs can confirm the cause of Ovulation Bleeding.
The exact cause of bleeding during ovulation is not clear and could be due to emerging follicles. Hormones prompt ovaries to produce around 20 follicles that contain an immature egg, and out of this only one follicle matures. It is during this process of maturing and bursting out from the follicle that pain or bleeding occurs. Few women are discomfited by bleeding, as it is a signal of ovulation, or they bleed slightly in middle of their cycle. Severe or long-lasting bleeding during ovulation is sometimes symptomatic of certain gynecological conditions, including endometriosis. It is prudent to consult a doctor because if left untreated can affect health. Also if bleeding is heavy during ovulation or lasts longer than 3 days then take medical advice.
Women with regular menstrual bleeding can differentiate between Ovulation Bleeding and the menstrual period. If periods are irregular, or it is uterine bleeding, then she is not ovulating regularly. A physical examination of the uterus helps detect causes of abnormal bleeding. An ultrasound examination or a diagnostic hysteroscopy helps detect sub-mucous fibroids, polyps and other problems. During a diagnostic hysteroscopy, it is possible to remove polyps for examination and take a sample of the uterus lining.
One needs to remember that bleeding during mid-cycle does not indicate menses. If Ovulation Bleeding is accompanied by pain or acute discomfiture, then start worrying. Take precautions and get medical help before the condition is further aggravated.
Source: Elizabeth Morgan (e-ovulation.com)
Ovarian Cysts and Endometriosis
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs similar to blisters that are situated within or on the surface of an ovary. Many women develop them during their reproductive years, and most women will have at least one during her life. While most ovarian cysts are harmless and present little to no discomfort, they can produce symptoms that can even be life threatening, especially if the cyst ruptures.
Often, women may not feel any symptoms from ovarian cysts, but in some cases they can experience symptoms similar to endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, appendicitis or ovarian cancer. Menstrual irregularities, pelvic pain (during or before periods, during sexual intercourse or constant pain radiating to the back and thighs), nausea, breast tenderness, vomiting, and pressure on the bladder or rectum are some common symptoms. There are three types of ovarian cysts including follicular or functional ovarian cysts, corpus luteal ovarian cysts and endometrioma or chocolate cysts.
Endometriosis can cause complex ovarian cysts (endometriomas), commonly called chocolate cysts (because they are filled with a thick chocolate-colored material) that are usually sized between 0.4 in. (1.02 cm) and 4 in. (10.16 cm). 60% of women with endometriosis experience ovarian involvement. Small cysts are formed outside of the ovary, which enlarge and produce endometriosis of the ovary. Hormone stimulation during the menstrual cycle produces many small cysts that eventually occupy the normal ovarian tissue. They can rupture and eventually lead to severe pelvic pain.
Chocolate cysts and any other cysts can be dangerous, so it is important to contact a doctor as soon as possible if one of the more serious symptoms appears. It is always advisable to have a check-up once in a while.
Source: Josh Riverside (e-endometriosis.com)
Female Impotence
Female impotence, or female sexual dysfunction, is a catchall term used to describe difficulties in having sexual desire, enjoying sex, being adequately aroused or having an orgasm. A woman may experience decreased sexual desire for a number of reasons including stress and exhaustion. She may be unable to enjoy sex because she has one of several sex pain disorders, which in turn may be caused by an underlying condition. Women with breast cancer or gynecologic disorders may experience sexual dysfunction.
One type of female impotence is analogous to male impotence and may be caused by decreased blood flow to the clitoris during sexual intercourse. Psychosocial factors such as previous or ongoing sexual or physical abuse or an unresolved conflict over sexual identity may also play a role in female sexual dysfunction.
To provide appropriate treatment to a woman suffering from sexual dysfunction, her physician first has to overcome the challenge of separating intrinsic from extrinsic reasons for such dysfunction. Besides pain during sex or the presence of a clear underlying disorder, it may be difficult to distinguish between a woman�s inability to become aroused and have an orgasm from the technique used by her partner to stimulate her. Many women may only be able to have an orgasm through clitoral stimulation but gender roles and other barriers may get in the way of a woman expressing her needs to her sex partner. Mental stimulation plays a major part, if a woman is dissatisfied with her sex partner for other reasons, this may translate into decreased libido with that partner. This is called situational sexual dysfunction and the woman may experience no problems with a partner she considers more appealing.
Where an underlying reason can be identified, female sexual dysfunction is treatable. In many cases, a doctor may recommend counseling for a woman and possibly her partner.
Source: Kent Pinkerton (e-impotence.com)
Kegel Exercises
A kegel is the name of a pelvic floor exercise, named after Dr. Kegel who discovered the exercise in 1948. I call them “the invisible exercise”, since you can do them when no one else can tell. Kegels are a series of exercises which can help tighten up the pubococcygeal muscles (PC muscles). These originate from your pubic bone, go under your genitals and attach to your tailbone. Both men and women have them.
After pelvic surgery, pregnancy, or even as we age, these muscles lose their tone. This can result in a loss of bladder control, also called incontinence, a loose vagina, (especially after having a child), an inability to control ejaculation in guys, and a reduction of sexual pleasure for both men and women.
There are several ways to do kegel exercises. One method requires you to have a full bladder, sit on the toilet and start to urinate, then suddenly clamp down and stop the flow. Start and stop several times in a row. If you can’t cut off the flow of urine, but dribble on, you need to start kegel exercises for sure. From now on, every time you urinate start and stop all the way. This is often called “the faucet” and is a good indicator of your progress.
You can also do kegels right at your desk, even right now. Tighten your PC muscles and hold for a count of eight, then slowly release and repeat eight times. Yes, you can do these sitting at the computer or at your desk at work or school. (But don’t let that distract you from your teacher or boss). If you can’t make it to eight or ten in the beginning, use a lower number and do those until you build up to ten.
Another good time to do kegels, is when you are the passenger in a car. Every time you stop at a red light, do some, who will know but you.
Not only does this improve bladder control, but doing kegels regularly will improve your sex life. After doing kegel exercises, a woman will be able to clamp down and grip her partner’s penis increasing both their sexual pleasures. You men should notice an improvement in the 'intensity' of your erections and ejaculations. These exercises are also recommended for guys who experience premature ejaculation. While the penis is not a muscle, the increased muscle tone will improve blood supply resulting in firmer erections and also help a man to delay ejaculation. Kegels can also help prevent leaking urine when you sneeze or cough!
Source: Amy Otis, BSN, RN. (coolnurse.com)
An Overview of Sexual Dysfunction
What is sexual dysfunction?
Sexual dysfunction refers to a problem during any phase of the sexual response cycle that prevents the individual or couple from experiencing satisfaction from the sexual activity. The sexual response cycle includes excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution.
While research suggests that sexual dysfunction is common (43 percent of women and 31 percent of men report some degree of difficulty), it is a topic that many people are hesitant to discuss. Fortunately, most cases of sexual dysfunction are treatable, so it is important to share your concerns with your partner and health care provider.
What are the types of sexual dysfunction?
Sexual dysfunction generally is classified into four categories:
* Desire disorders The lack of sexual desire or interest in sex
* Arousal disorders The inability to become physically aroused during sexual activity
* Orgasm disorders The delay or absence of orgasm (climax)
* Pain disorders Pain during intercourse (This condition mostly affects women.)
Who is affected by sexual dysfunction?
Sexual dysfunction is more common in the early adult years, with the majority of people seeking help during their late 20s and early 30s. Sexual dysfunction also is common in the geriatric population, which may be related to a decline in health associated with aging.
What are the symptoms of sexual dysfunction?
In men:
* Inability to achieve an erection or maintain and erection suitable for intercourse (erectile dysfunction)
* Delayed or absence of ejaculation despite adequate sexual stimulation
* Inability to control the timing of ejaculation (premature or retarded ejaculation)
In women:
* Inability to relax the vaginal muscles enough to allow intercourse
* Inadequate vaginal lubrication before and during intercourse
* Inability to achieve orgasm
In men and women:
* Lack of interest in or desire for sex
* Inability to become aroused
* Pain with intercourse
What causes sexual dysfunction?
Causes of sexual dysfunction include:
Physical causes Many physical and/or medical conditions can cause problems with sexual function. These conditions include diabetes, heart and vascular (blood vessel) disease, neurological disorders, hormonal imbalances, chronic diseases such as kidney or liver failure, and alcoholism and drug abuse. In addition, the side effects of some medications, including some antidepressants drugs, can affect sexual function.
Psychological causes These include work-related stress and anxiety, concern about sexual performance, marital or relationship problems, depression, feelings of guilt, and the effects of a past sexual trauma.
How is sexual dysfunction diagnosed?
The doctor likely will begin with a complete physical and history of symptoms. He or she may order diagnostic tests to rule out any medical problems that may be contributing to the dysfunction. An evaluation of the person's attitudes regarding sex, as well as other possible contributing factors (fear, anxiety, past sexual trauma/abuse, relationship problems, alcohol or drug abuse, etc.) will help the doctor understand the underlying cause of the problem and make recommendations for appropriate treatment.
How is sexual dysfunction treated?
Most types of sexual dysfunction can be corrected by treated the underlying physical or psychological problems. Other treatment strategies include:
Medication Men and women with hormone deficiencies may benefit from hormone shots, pills or creams. For men, drugs including sildenafil (Viagra) may help improve sexual function by increasing blood flow to the penis.
Mechanical aids Aids such as vacuum devices and penile implants may help men with erectile dysfunction (the inability to achieve or maintain an erection).
Behavioral treatments These involve various techniques, such as self-stimulation, to treat problems with arousal and/or orgasm.
Psychotherapy Therapy with a trained counselor can help a person address feelings of anxiety, fear or guilt as well as poor body image that may have an impact on sexual function.
Education and communication Education about sex, and sexual behaviors and responses may help an individual overcome his or her anxieties about sexual function. Open dialogue with your partner about your needs and concerns also helps to overcome many barriers to a healthy sex life.
Can sexual dysfunction be cured?
The success of treatment for sexual dysfunction depends on the underlying cause of the problem. The outlook is good for dysfunction that is related to a treatable or reversible physical condition. Mild dysfunction that is related to stress, fear or anxiety often can be successfully treated with counseling, education and improved communication between partners.
Source: revolutionhealth.com
