Despite the success of Viagra, attempts to develop an effective drug for women experiencing sexual dysfunction have fallen short of the mark, CLAIRE O'CONNELLreports
THE LAST 10 years have seen a glut of erection-enhancing drugs on the market. And women could be forgiven for asking why the men should have all the fun. Viagra itself appears to be of little use to women, and so far attempts to develop a new and effective drug have fallen short of the mark.
But while a pill for women experiencing female sexual dysfunction is a holy grail of the "pharma sutra", experts warn that female arousal may be too sophisticated for such a quick fix, and a more holistic approach is needed.
"We females are complex," says Eithne Bacuzzi, a pychosexual therapist and counsellor with Marriage and Relationship Counselling Services. "We need to be emotionally connected and relaxed, and women look for an all-encompassing connection, which is to be valued and respected."
An anti-impotence drug can help relations where the issue revolves around the man not getting an erection, argues Bacuzzi, noting that men with erectile dysfunction should also seek a medical check-up.
But she believes that in many cases a more sensitive approach to the emotional side and learning about the different cycles of arousal for women and men can work wonders for a couple who have lost interest.
"You need to reconnect emotionally, spend valuable time together, prioritise the relationship," she says. "I think women respond much better to that than to a pill."