Viagra for women in pipeline

[george]

Drug giant expects steady flow of orders

After five years of marketing Viagra for men with erectile dysfunction (ED), US drug giant Pfizer Pharmaceuticals is pushing ahead with its research into a drug for women suffering sex-related problems.

While admitting it would take a few more years to perfect a drug to treat female sexual dysfunction (FSD), Pfizer senior director Mitradev Boolell said 12 months of trials had resulted in a drug that helped women to become more easily aroused, achieve orgasm, and generally enjoy more satisfaction from their sex lives.

However, side effects included headaches, hot flushes, indigestion and altered vision, he said.

Dr Boolell said although the research was promising, it is was premature to seek approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But when the drug was eventually marketed, the results of several surveys had indicated demand was likely to be high.

``Sexual difficulties are common in men and women age 40-80 years,'' he said. ``Most doctors do not ask questions about ED or FSD, while the patients themselves, particularly women, usually feel too embarrassed to discuss the problems.''

Dr Boolell cited the results of a study conducted in the United States, in which more than 40% of women aged 40-80 who took part admitting experiencing at least one type of sexual dysfunction.

The American Foundation for Urologic Disease classifies female sexual dysfunctions into four categories comprising: hypoactive sexual desire disorder; sexual arousal disorder; orgasmic disorder; and painful sexual intercourse.

Dr Boolell also cited a report published by the British Medical Journal in August which revealed 40% of women and 22% of men who had visited general practitioners in London complained of sexual dysfunctions.

Of these, 30% of the women and 21% of the men had sought medical treatment, he said.

Dr Boolell said this study indicated women were more likely than men to suffer sexual problems.

The causes of sexual dysfunction included medical factors such as cardio-vascular disease, diabetes and neurological disorders, as well as psychosexual factors like depression or stress, relationship conflicts, and an unresolved history of abuse or trauma.

Viagra's main rival was Levitra, co-developed by Bayer Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline, which recently gained approval to be marketed in the United States.

A third ED drug named Cialis, from Eli Lilly and Co and ICOS Corp, was also expected to hit the US market in the near future.

[SeaVisionBurma]

George, this is all good and well, but I am confused.

I was under the impression that the female version of Viagra, designed to 'get her flowing' for better sex - was already on the market?

Isn't it called Niagara?

[AWSEM]

Let me think about this !!!!!!!!!!!!

[AWSEM]

That what I get when they walk into a Thai bar and have to many beers now?

Sounds like the last few nights on the Pong

Someone must be testing the drug on me