Libido-Lifting Drug For Women Being Tested

Testosterone Gel Intended To Help Reignite Passion For Women Who Have Lost Interest In Sex

(AP)  A drug that could do for women what Viagra has done for men is being tested at the University of Virginia.

The drug is a testosterone-laden ointment called LibiGel and it's intended to boost the libido of women who have lost interest in sex.

It will be prescribed at UVa in coming months to women who are suffering from hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

The condition is believed to affect one-third of American women.

"It is the most common sexual problem that women have," said Dr. Anita Clayton, a psychiatrist with the UVa Health System and author of the 2007 book "Satisfaction: Women, Sex and the Quest for Intimacy."

UVa joins 99 other medical institutions participating in testing the drug's efficacy and safety.

If given the green light by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Illinois-based BioSante Pharmaceuticals Inc. hopes to offer the drug to any woman complaining of a low sex drive.

For now, though, Clayton will enroll 25 women between the ages of 30 and 65 to take part in the national study.

Those women must have had both ovaries surgically removed, be currently taking an estrogen supplement and be distressed about their lack of libido.

Ovariectomies, or surgical menopause, can lead to a drop in sexual interest because ovaries produce roughly half of the testosterone in a woman's body.

Testosterone plays a key role in sexual functioning for men and women.

LibiGel comes in a pump bottle. The woman rubs the small dot of gel into the skin of her upper arm. Over the next 24 hours, the gel's testosterone seeps into her bloodstream, boosting her energy and libido.

Clayton, who is running the clinical trial at UVa, said the drug is better than previous testosterone treatments because it keeps levels of the chemical constant, much like naturally occurring testosterone.

"I expect this will work," she said.

In its second-phase clinical trials at 17 institutions, LibiGel led to a 283 percent increase of satisfying sexual encounters for the women taking the drug.

"A lot of women have this problem, but unfortunately they've been largely ignored by pharmaceutical companies," said BioSante's chief executive, Stephen M. Simes. "It's not fair that women have no drugs, while men have many."

[drivelphobe]

Sean,

Same to you and thanks again for the facts.

Drivel

[drivelphobe]

juwboy....What a geek you are. Haven''t you ever misspelled a word? You must be a popular guy, pretending to be some hot shot scientific "speller". You are an arrogant ignoramus.

[drivelphobe]

seandgreen...Thanks for the info. I was thinking the whole ED craze was just a ruse to sell the pharmaceuticals. I had no idea ED was a real problem, especially 20-30 million strong.

It also is interesting to know that women might actually have low libido and not simply be fed up with intimate activity. I am also surprised that individuals crave intimacy so much that they will take meds. I for one don''t miss "intimacy" at all, in fact, I am relieved that it''s so easy to avoid after 40 years of marriage. I am happy for those who find the drugs give them the desired results they seek for a better life with their partners.

Have a nice day.

[juwboy]

drivelphobe:

If anyone spells scientific terms incorrectly, it proves they''re scientifically illiterate and their opinions are worthless.

As for people like yourself who defend imbeciles ...

[formrusmcsgt]

How many men really have ED?

Posted by drivelphobe at 07:14 PM : Jan 03, 2008

Probably every one who''s married to an elephant.

[drivelphobe]

Hey juwboy...Stuff it. He knows how to spell, but mistakes are common on keyboards. You''ve never reversed the o and u? The focus here is on content and conmmunication, not infantile spelling correction. Go pile sand.

[drivelphobe]

I just don''t get it. What''s is so important that women and men have to take medications to get in the mood? When the mood stops, it''s natures warning that you should not engage in vigorous activity. Besides, the whole thing is too much work for too little reward. Just join a gym and work out. It''s more fun, easier, and makes you feel terrific. It''s okay if you fall asleep right after. You can go to the gym alone, no partners required. Besides, all these ridiculous medications come with side effects and wasted expense. How many men really have ED? What a joke.

[johngoodnews]

ibsteve2u: flouride in the water--now that''s a funny thought! I''m still chuckling....

As a general matter (no physical obstacles), no chemical enhancement is necessary when a couple loves each other and enjoys each other''s company and enjoys each other sexually. For those (men or women) who see *** as a sport or something that defines them outside a meaningful relationship, then it is probably a real benefit for them to use chemical enhancement. For those who need it because of physical reasons, then it is a godsend.

[formrusmcsgt]

The real issue which neither viagra or a drug for women can address is that many people with low libidos are the victim of poorly executed sexual acts. In short, either they or their partner have poor lovemaking skills and with a drug or without--that cannot change the reality.

Posted by b-easy63 at 02:07 AM : Jan 03, 2008

Agreed attractivness and attitude are key, along with good skills.

Women have a tough road when it comes to s e x.

First, their arousal time is longer then men''s. If they have an impatient partner, they''re sunk.

Secondly, women are tactile while men are visual. If they have a partner who fails to understand this, they''re in for a tougher time as well.

And thirdly, women have societal pressures that men just don''t have to deal with. Society frowns on a woman who frees her lust but places no such judgement on males. Women are always dealing with a double standard.

[juwboy]

ibsteve2u said:

"They already put flouride in the water".

Wrong!

They put fluoride.

Why don''t you spend some time learning how to spell basic chemical terms instead of wasting ours with your ignorant opinions?

[b-easy63]

The problem with viagra and the problem with a drug for women is that they can produce a psuedo hard on--but fail to psychologically stimulate the person taking the product. The result is often an increase in blood pressure, a moderate severe headache and the disconcerting noting that one''s partner is using them as a masturbatory toy.

The real issue which neither viagra or a drug for women can address is that many people with low libidos are the victim of poorly executed sexual acts. In short, either they or their partner have poor lovemaking skills and with a drug or without--that cannot change the reality. So who wants to fvck a man with bad breath, or who is fat with severe acne on his azz? Same goes for a man with an unattractive partner or one that no longer interests him.

You can get the d1ck hard or the woman ready for the ride--but if the vehicle is not what she wants--she may stay home and the man may just have a headache.

Call us when a hallucinogen or other mind altering drug that can make one''s partner desireable again comes on the market. then we can all see the point in these products.

[standlee5]

Sounds like a babyboom in the making.

[joanne462]

Ten years I''ve been waiting for this!!! Every year my doctor tells me she has hundreds of women come in and complain about low libido and she has to tell them there is nothing on the market or in the works for women with this problem. Maybe now I can have a more well rounded and forfilled life with my husband.

[missingamerica]

Hmmmm....you know, they already put flouride in the water...