Modern pharmacological treatments of sexual dysfunction in women: a narrative review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 PhD of Reproductive health, Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences and Metabolism, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

2 PhD student of Research, Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences and Metabolism, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

3 Professor, Reproductive Endocrinology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences and Metabolism, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common disorders in women. So far, researchers have examined various treatments to promote women's sexual health. This study was performed with aim to review the modern pharmacological treatments of female sexual dysfunction in women.
Methods: In this narrative review, databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SID, Magiran, and Google Scholar were searched up to December 2019 without time limitation using the related keywords. Inclusion criteria were observational, interventional, and review studies that provided the content appropriate to the objectives of this narrative study. Findings were discussed according to thematic classification (treatment of interest / sexual desire disorders, genito-pelvic pain-penetration disorder, and orgasmic disorder).
Results: In this study, after the evaluation of 865 studies, finally 63 studies were included in this review. According to the findings of the studies, the existing therapeutic approaches for the treatment of interest / sexual desire disorders including (US Food and Drug Administration-approved: Bremelanotide and Flibanserin, unapproved drugs including Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors, Testosterone) and treatment option for genito-pelvic pain-penetration disorder including (approved by the US Food and Drug Administration: Lubricants, Ospemifene, Prosterone, Elagolix and Botox injection in the research phase), but for orgasmic disorders in women, no drug has been approved.
Conclusion: Currently, several drugs approved/unapproved have been used for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women that through different mechanisms such as increased genital blood flow, affecting androgen levels, or the central nervous system's function contributes to improving sexual dysfunction. Furture studies on the field of treatment of female sexual dysfunction are recommended.

Keywords

References

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The Iranian Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility
Volume 23, Issue 9
November 2021
Pages 69-84

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