Viagra: Not Just For Men Anymore!

[MA-Caver]

Women on antidepressants may benefit from Viagra

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080722/ap_on_he_me/med_viagra_for_women

By CARLA K. JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 39 minutes ago

CHICAGO - Viagra's effect in women has been disappointing, but a new small study finds those on antidepressants may benefit from taking the little blue pills.
The research involving 98 premenopausal women found Viagra helped with orgasm. But the benefits did not extend to other aspects of sex such as desire, researchers report in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association.
"For women on antidepressants with orgasm problems, this may provide some wonderful relief," said psychologist Stanley Althof, director of the Center for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida in West Palm Beach, who was not involved in the study. "But it will not improve their desire or arousal."
Antidepressants can interfere with sex drive and performance even as the drugs help lift crippling depression. Switching drugs or reducing the dose can help. But many people, men and women, stop taking them because of their sexual side effects.
The complaints are common. More than half the people who take antidepressants develop sexual problems, prior studies have found, especially for people taking Prozac, Paxil, Celexa and other drugs that work by increasing the chemical serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is thought to slow down orgasm, perhaps by diminishing the release of another brain chemical, dopamine. Viagra increases blood flow to sex organs.
Pfizer Inc. spokeswoman Sally Beatty said the company currently has no plans to pursue FDA approval for using its drug Viagra as a treatment for female sexual dysfunction. The company ended its internal research on Viagra for women in 2004. While Viagra was found to be safe, the results were inconclusive, Beatty said in an e-mail.

Now Viagra works BOTH ways??
Yeah definitely get rid of that nasty ole' Serotonin! Here honey lets share a packet of Viagra together! :uhyeah:
Seriously this small study has proven inconclusive it does I think shed light on the benefits of this wonder drug for men.
Problems with it are:

Althof said it's "worrisome" that 43 percent of the women on Viagra experienced headaches, compared to 27 percent of the women on dummy pills. Indigestion and reddening of skin (flushing) also were reported more often by the women taking Viagra.
Psychologist Leonore Tiefer of New York University School of Medicine said industry-funded research has oversimplified women's sexual experience. She noted the new study, funded by a Pfizer grant, found more side effects than benefits.
"Where's the question to the women: Is it worth it?" Tiefer said.

So it's basically a weeding out of those who might be allergic to the other compounds or the main compound of the drug itself.
They're not looking for FDA approval however and that is a bit disconcerting. You'd think they would when treating a serious disease like depression?

 

[terryl965]

Never used it never will, let nature take it course.

 

[Empty Hands]

In one of our research projects, we found that viagra protected mice against heart failure. Sounds like a good reason to get started taking it to me!

 

[theletch1]

The article states that it simply helps with the orgasm. It doesn't do anything to assist in getting to that point. As the orgasm is a physical reaction and (at least IMHO) sex is 95% psychological seems like a waste and even a risk given the potential side effects.

 

[DavidCC]

I dunno, Viagra for women??? I don't think I want my wife getting an erection :xtrmshock :jaw-dropping: :uhoh: