Archive for January, 2008

Type 2 Diabetes: Living With Complications - Medications

Saturday, January 19th, 2008


type 2 diabetes. You may be taking insulin by
injection or through an
insulin pump alone or along with oral diabetes
medication. Taking these medications as prescribed can help keep your blood
sugar levels within your
target range. For information on these medications,
see the Medications section of the topic
Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the Disease.

You may need to take:

  • Aspirin. If you are age 30 or older, talk to
    your health professional about taking a low-dose, or baby, aspirin daily to
    prevent
    heart attack,
    stroke, or other large blood vessel disease (macrovascular disease).1
  • An enzyme (ACE) inhibitor,
    angiotensin II receptor blocker, or other medication if you have
    high blood pressure or have protein in your urine.
    These medications can slow or prevent further damage to your
    kidneys.
  • Medications for digestive problems. The type of medication
    will depend on the problem you are having. For example, if you have
    gastroparesis, you may take metoclopramide (Reglan),
    domperidone (available in Europe and Canada), or
    erythromycin.
  • pain relievers, creams, or
    prescription oral or injection medications if you have pain from
    peripheral neuropathy.
  • Viagra, Levitra, or
    Cialis if you have erection problems. These medications can aggravate heart
    problems in some people, especially those taking nitrate medications (such as
    nitroglycerin). Check with your doctor before taking any of these
    medications.

Medication Choices

Medications for some complications include:

  • Aspirin after a
    heart attack or stroke or to prevent these.
  • Statins such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin
    (Zocor), or pravastatin (Pravachol), to help prevent heart attack or
    stroke.
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or
    angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) for diabetic
    nephropathy.
  • Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5
    inhibitors), such as Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis if you have erection
    problems. Check with your doctor before taking any of these medications.

What to Think About

Keep your blood sugar levels tightly within a normal or
near-normal range by taking your oral diabetes medication (and, in some cases,
insulin) as prescribed.

If you have
high cholesterol, take
medications (such as statins) to keep your
LDL cholesterol level less than 100 mg/dL (2.60
mmol/L), your
triglyceride level less than 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L),
and if possible, your
HDL cholesterol level more than 40 mg/dL (1.15 mmol/L)
in men. Women may need an HDL level of more than 50 mg/dL.7 See the topic
High Cholesterol.

If you have high blood pressure, take medications to keep your
blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg. If your
systolic blood pressure is between 130 mm Hg and 139
mm Hg or your
diastolic blood pressure is between 80 mm Hg and 89 mm
Hg, you may try some lifestyle or behavioral therapy for 3 months before
starting medication.6 For more information, see the
topic
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension).

See related site about .

Prostate Cancer: Glossary

Friday, January 18th, 2008

You may hear a number of words you are not familiar with during
cancer , treatment, and . Some definitions follow. Just click
on a to find a specific word, or scroll through the entire list.

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
X

impotence.

The Cleveland
Urological Institute.

See related site about .

Erection Problems (Erectile Dysfunction) - Medications

Thursday, January 17th, 2008
erection problems (erectile dysfunction) that are
caused by blood vessel (vascular), hormonal, nervous system, or
problems. They also may be used along with counseling to treat erection
problems that have psychological causes.

If erection problems could be caused by a
prescribed medication, it may be possible to change
the dose or try another medication. Do not change or stop taking any medication
without first talking with your health .

Medication Choices

Commonly used oral medications include:

  • 5 inhibitors (PDE-5
    inhibitors) such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis.

Other medications that may be used include:

  • Injected medications.
  • alprostadil (MUSE).

Hormones and other medications may be prescribed for
men who have low
testosterone or high
prolactin levels.

Some men have tried
yohimbine-a prescription medication that should not be
confused with the dietary supplement yohimbe-to treat erection problems.

For more information on medication choices, see:

Should I use phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
(such as Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis) for erection
problems?

Should I use injections for erection
problems?

What To Think About

PDE-5 inhibitors and heart problems

Health experts have debated the use of PDE-5 inhibitors in men
with heart disease, because deaths have been reported after use of Viagra. The
1999 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Expert
Consensus Document noted that PDE-5 inhibitors may be dangerous for people
who:3

  • Have
    coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • Have
    heart failure and low blood pressure.
  • Are
    taking many different drugs for
    high blood pressure.

However, several more recent studies have reported that some
men with heart problems may be able to take PDE-5 inhibitors safely. Talk to
your health professional about whether PDE-5 inhibitors are appropriate for
you.

  • One study found no evidence of increased
    risk for
    heart attack or CAD in men who use Viagra.4
  • Another study in men with CAD reported that
    Viagra does not lead to heart attack and that heart attacks and other
    cardiovascular problems reported after taking Viagra may be related more to the
    physical activity of intercourse than to the medication.5
  • A study of 35 men found that Viagra is safe for
    men with moderate heart failure.6

Sexual activity is exercise. If you have a heart condition and
have not been sexually active for a while, talk with your health professional
to make sure you can engage in sexual activity safely.

PDE-5 inhibitors should never be used if
you may need to take a
nitrate-containing medication, such as .
Taking nitroglycerin and a PDE-5 inhibitor within 24 hours of each other may
greatly lower your blood pressure, which could lead to a heart attack,
stroke, or death.

If you are taking a PDE-5 inhibitor and are going to have a test
for heart disease, be certain your doctor knows you are taking it. You should
not take a PDE-5 inhibitor for 24 hours before the test. If you develop a
problem during the test, nitrate-containing medications such as nitroglycerin
may be used.

Although oral medications for erection problems can be purchased over the Internet, you should still talk with your health professional before using this medication. This is especially important if you have a heart problem.

If you are using a combination of drugs for high blood pressure,
PDE-5 inhibitors could result in low blood pressure (hypotension). Also for
this reason, you should not take alpha blockers-used to lower blood pressure
and to treat an enlarged prostate-with these medications without talking to
your health professional; the combination could cause a dangerous drop in blood
pressure.

Although the antidepressant medication trazodone has been used
for treating erection problems, there is no current evidence that it is
effective for this purpose.1

How do yo think, is it true about ?

Sexual Problems in Women - Medications

Wednesday, January 16th, 2008
sexual problems are often complex and interrelated.
Medications may be used in treating certain conditions that contribute to
sexual problems.

Medication Choices

Estrogen. If you only have vaginal
dryness and irritation (and not other symptoms such as hot flashes), you can
use a limited amount of
estrogen in a cream, tablet, or ring in the vagina.
The daily estrogen makes your tissue less thin and sensitive and more moist.
Many women find that using a cream or tablet twice a week is enough. This may
increase vaginal tone and lubrication, which will decrease
vulvar dryness, irritation, and shrinkage (atrophy).

If you also have other
menopausal symptoms that affect physical and mental
well-being, talk to your health professional about taking daily (systemic)
estrogen therapy.
Estrogen can increase the blood flow in the
vagina, as well as reduce hot flashes and other
symptoms of
menopause.
Estrogen therapy or
estrogen-progestin therapy can be oral (pills),
vaginal, or transdermal (with a patch). In a small number of women, hormone
therapy causes heart disease, breast cancer, dangerous blood clots, stroke, and
dementia. Talk to your health professional about whether this therapy is right
for you.

Testosterone. This hormone may play a part
in a woman’s sex drive and satisfaction. The ovaries make
throughout a woman’s lifetime. Women have
the most testosterone in early adulthood; testosterone levels drop by half
between the early 20s and the early 40s.

In women who have their ovaries removed (),
testosterone drops by 50%.10 If you have had an
oophorectomy, your health professional may suggest trying
testosterone therapy. But the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has not approved any testosterone therapy for women.

What To Think About

The -estrogen formula called Estratest is
not approved by the FDA. The company that makes it
markets it for moderate to severe
menopausal symptoms. It is also prescribed to some
menopausal women to improve sexual desire and
response. But Estratest is made with
methyltestosterone, which the body uses differently than testosterone. It does
not directly raise the amount of testosterone in your body. And, taking a
testosterone by mouth does put you at risk for problems with your liver and
possibly your heart. Using a patch or cream does not.

At this time, there is no testosterone pill, patch, or cream
approved for women-those made for men have too high a dose for women. Side
effects of too much testosterone include acne, facial hair, and loss of hair
and a deepening of the voice, which may be permanent.

No studies have looked at the benefits and risks of taking
testosterone for longer than 6 months. The long-term effects of testosterone
therapy in women are not known.10

Sildenafil (Viagra) is used to treat
erectile in men. The maker of this
medicine has decided not to market it for improving women’s sexual desire and
arousal. This was based on research showing that sildenafil was not effective
for most women. The maker has commented that women’s sexuality is a complex mix
of physical, emotional, and relationship factors, and it is not as simple to
treat with a medicine as male erectile dysfunction is.11

Currently no medications are approved by the FDA to treat female
sexual problems, although several paths are being studied, including
of certain molecules (receptors) in the brain and increasing blood
flow to the genitals. It is still too early in the process to know whether any
of these medications will prove to be effective and safe treatment
options.12

Read another articles about .

Viagra: Treatment for Lung Disease?

Tuesday, January 15th, 2008

Oct. 25, 2006 — Viagra may ease blood pressure in the lungs of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

That’s according to a small Dutch study presented in Salt Lake City at Chest 2006, held by the American College of Chest .

COPD is the No. 4 cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

COPD is a lung disease in which breathing is difficult. It’s usually caused by smoking cigarettes, but it can also be caused by other lung irritants.

The disease develops slowly and may take years to show symptoms, which include:

  • Cough
  • Sputum (mucus) production
  • Shortness of breath ( with exercise)
  • WheezingWheezing
  • Chest tightness

Those symptoms may or may not indicate COPD, states the NHLBI’s web site.

Viagra Study

The Viagra study included 12 COPD patients, half of whom had high blood pressurehigh blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, which brings blood to the lungs. The development of pulmonary hypertensionpulmonary hypertension is a complication of COPD, but not everyone with COPD will develop it.

The researchers included Holverda, MSc, of Amsterdam’s University Medical Center.

They tracked the patients’ pulmonary artery blood pressure before and after taking Viagra.

Why Viagra? It relaxes (dilates) blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and helping blood to flow.

First, the patients rested. Then they pedaled a stationary bike for three minutes at a mild pace.

As expected, pulmonary artery blood pressure was higher during exercise, since the lungs were working harder.

Next, the patients took a Viagra pill, waited 45 minutes, and repeated the rest and exercise tests.

Their pulmonary artery blood pressure during exercise was lower after taking Viagra.

“These data suggest that during daily activities some COPD patients may benefit” from drugs that dilate blood vessels, the researchers write.

How do yo think, is it true about ?

Why Women Lose Interest in Sex

Monday, January 14th, 2008

Living with libido loco? For a growing number of women,
declining hormones, job stress, relationship issues, menopause, and other
problems are taking their toll in the bedroom.

Loss of sexual desire, known in medical terms as hypoactive
sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is the most common form of sexual dysfunction
among women of all ages. A recent study showed that nearly one-third of women
aged 18 to 59 suffer from a lost interest in sex, and it’s not all in their
heads.

Unlike men’s main sexual complaint, erectile dysfunction,
women’s biggest sexual problem is caused by a combination of both mental and
physical factors, which aren’t likely to be cured by merely popping a pill.

“Women’s sexuality tends to be multifaceted and fairly
complicated,” says sex Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD. “Although we
would love to simplify it so we could have the one-two or even a one-punch
treatment, it doesn’t tend to work that way.”

But the introduction of treatments in the last
few years has spurred more research into the causes of sexual dysfunction among
both men and women, and effective therapies are available to help put the lust
back into women’s lives.

What Is Low Sexual Desire?

Contrary to popular belief, experts say frequency of sexual
intercourse has nothing to do with sexual desire or satisfaction.

“One of first things I do in speaking to women who come in
with sexual concerns is let them know that there is no normal frequency or set
of behaviors and things change with time,” says Jan Shifren, MD, an
assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. “If it’s working for them
and/or their partner, there is no problem.”

But when a woman experiences a significant decrease in interest
in sex that is having an effect on her life and is causing distress, then it’s
considered a problem of low sexual desire or HSDD.

Kingsberg says that sexual desire is more than just an issue of
low libido or sex drive. She says sexual drive is the biological component of
desire, which is reflected as spontaneous sexual interest including sexual
thoughts, erotic fantasies, and daydreams.

Kingsberg, who is an associate professor of reproductive
biology at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine says, “It’s about
your body signaling that it wants to be sexual. Whether or not there is any
intention to act on it, we all have a certain level of drive.”

That sexual drive declines naturally with age based on
physiological factors. But sexual desire also encompasses and
psychological factors that create a willingness to be sexual.

“Above and beyond horniness, it is the sense of intimacy in
the relationship,” says Kingsberg. “If you are mad at your spouse, you
could be horny but you’re not going want to be sexual with that particular
person.”

Therefore, all of these aspects of sexual desire must be
examined in order to determine the root of the problem.

Common causes for a loss of sexual desire and drive in women
include:

  • Interpersonal relationship issues. Partner performance problems,
    lack of emotional satisfaction with the relationship, the birth of a child, and
    becoming a caregiver for a loved one can decrease sexual desire.
  • influences. Job stress, peer pressure, and media
    images of sexuality can negatively influence sexual desire.
  • Low testosterone. affects sexual drive in both men and
    women. Testosterone levels peak in women’s mid-20s and then steadily decline
    until menopause, when they drop dramatically.
  • Medical problems: Mental illnesses such as depression, or medical
    conditions, such as endometriosis, fibroids, and thyroid disorders, impact a
    woman’s sexual drive both mentally and physically.
  • Medications: Certain antidepressants (including the new generation
    of SSRIs), blood pressure lowering drugs, and oral contraceptives can lower
    sexual drive in many ways, such as decreasing available testosterone levels or
    affecting blood flow.
  • Age. Blood levels of androgens fall continuously in women as they
    age.

Read another articles about .

Why Women Lose Interest in Sex

Sunday, January 13th, 2008


Living with libido loco? For a growing number of women,
declining hormones, job stress, relationship issues, menopause, and other
problems are taking their toll in the bedroom.

Loss of sexual desire, known in medical terms as hypoactive
sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is the most common form of sexual dysfunction
among women of all ages. A recent study showed that nearly one-third of women
aged 18 to 59 suffer from a lost interest in sex, and it’s not all in their
heads.

Unlike men’s main sexual complaint, erectile dysfunction,
women’s biggest sexual problem is caused by a combination of both mental and
physical factors, which aren’t likely to be cured by merely popping a pill.

“Women’s sexuality tends to be multifaceted and fairly
complicated,” says sex psychologist Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD. “Although we
would love to simplify it so we could have the one-two or even a one-punch
treatment, it doesn’t tend to work that way.”

But the introduction of treatments in the last
few years has spurred more research into the causes of sexual dysfunction among
both men and women, and effective therapies are available to help put the lust
back into women’s lives.

What Is Low Sexual Desire?

Contrary to popular belief, experts say frequency of sexual
intercourse has nothing to do with sexual desire or satisfaction.

“One of first things I do in speaking to women who come in
with sexual concerns is let them know that there is no normal frequency or set
of behaviors and things change with time,” says Jan Shifren, MD, an
assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. “If it’s working for them
and/or their partner, there is no problem.”

But when a woman experiences a significant decrease in interest
in sex that is having an effect on her life and is causing distress, then it’s
considered a problem of low sexual desire or HSDD.

Kingsberg says that sexual desire is more than just an issue of
low libido or sex drive. She says sexual drive is the biological component of
desire, which is reflected as spontaneous sexual interest including sexual
thoughts, erotic fantasies, and daydreams.

Kingsberg, who is an associate professor of reproductive
biology at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine says, “It’s about
your body signaling that it wants to be sexual. Whether or not there is any
intention to act on it, we all have a certain level of drive.”

That sexual drive declines naturally with age based on
physiological factors. But sexual desire also encompasses and
psychological factors that create a willingness to be sexual.

“Above and beyond horniness, it is the sense of intimacy in
the relationship,” says Kingsberg. “If you are mad at your spouse, you
could be horny but you’re not going want to be sexual with that particular
person.”

Therefore, all of these aspects of sexual desire must be
examined in order to determine the root of the problem.

Common causes for a loss of sexual desire and drive in women
include:

  • Interpersonal relationship issues. Partner performance problems,
    lack of emotional satisfaction with the relationship, the birth of a child, and
    becoming a caregiver for a loved one can decrease sexual desire.
  • Sociocultural influences. Job stress, peer pressure, and media
    images of sexuality can negatively influence sexual desire.
  • Low testosterone. Testosterone affects sexual drive in both men and
    women. Testosterone levels peak in women’s mid-20s and then steadily decline
    until menopause, when they drop .
  • Medical problems: Mental illnesses such as depression, or medical
    conditions, such as , fibroids, and thyroid disorders, impact a
    woman’s sexual drive both mentally and physically.
  • Medications: Certain antidepressants (including the new generation
    of SSRIs), blood pressure lowering drugs, and oral contraceptives can lower
    sexual drive in many ways, such as decreasing available testosterone levels or
    affecting blood flow.
  • Age. Blood levels of androgens fall continuously in women as they
    age.

And some information of .

Why Women Lose Interest in Sex

Saturday, January 12th, 2008

Living with libido loco? For a growing number of women,
declining hormones, job stress, relationship issues, menopause, and other
problems are taking their toll in the bedroom.

Loss of sexual desire, known in medical terms as hypoactive
sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is the most common form of sexual dysfunction
among women of all ages. A recent study showed that nearly one-third of women
aged 18 to 59 suffer from a lost interest in sex, and it’s not all in their
heads.

Unlike men’s main sexual complaint, erectile dysfunction,
women’s biggest sexual problem is caused by a combination of both mental and
physical factors, which aren’t likely to be cured by merely popping a pill.

“Women’s sexuality tends to be multifaceted and fairly
complicated,” says sex psychologist Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD. “Although we
would love to simplify it so we could have the one-two or even a one-punch
treatment, it doesn’t tend to work that way.”

But the introduction of anti-impotence treatments in the last
few years has spurred more research into the causes of sexual dysfunction among
both men and women, and effective therapies are available to help put the lust
back into women’s lives.

What Is Low Sexual Desire?

Contrary to popular belief, experts say frequency of sexual
intercourse has nothing to do with sexual desire or satisfaction.

“One of first things I do in speaking to women who come in
with sexual concerns is let them know that there is no normal frequency or set
of behaviors and things change with time,” says Jan Shifren, MD, an
assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. “If it’s working for them
and/or their partner, there is no problem.”

But when a woman experiences a significant decrease in interest
in sex that is having an effect on her life and is causing distress, then it’s
considered a problem of low sexual desire or HSDD.

Kingsberg says that sexual desire is more than just an issue of
low libido or sex drive. She says sexual drive is the biological component of
desire, which is reflected as spontaneous sexual interest including sexual
thoughts, erotic fantasies, and daydreams.

Kingsberg, who is an associate professor of reproductive
biology at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine says, “It’s about
your body signaling that it wants to be sexual. Whether or not there is any
intention to act on it, we all have a certain level of drive.”

That sexual drive declines naturally with age based on
physiological factors. But sexual desire also encompasses interpersonal and
factors that create a willingness to be sexual.

“Above and beyond horniness, it is the sense of intimacy in
the relationship,” says Kingsberg. “If you are mad at your spouse, you
could be horny but you’re not going want to be sexual with that particular
person.”

Therefore, all of these aspects of sexual desire must be
examined in order to determine the root of the problem.

Common causes for a loss of sexual desire and drive in women
include:

  • Interpersonal relationship issues. Partner performance problems,
    lack of emotional satisfaction with the relationship, the birth of a child, and
    becoming a caregiver for a loved one can decrease sexual desire.
  • influences. Job stress, peer pressure, and media
    images of sexuality can negatively influence sexual desire.
  • Low testosterone. affects sexual drive in both men and
    women. Testosterone levels peak in women’s mid-20s and then steadily decline
    until menopause, when they drop dramatically.
  • Medical problems: Mental illnesses such as depression, or medical
    conditions, such as , fibroids, and thyroid disorders, impact a
    woman’s sexual drive both mentally and physically.
  • Medications: Certain antidepressants (including the new generation
    of SSRIs), blood pressure lowering drugs, and oral contraceptives can lower
    sexual drive in many ways, such as decreasing available testosterone levels or
    affecting blood flow.
  • Age. Blood levels of androgens fall in women as they
    age.

How do yo think, is it true about ?

Why Women Lose Interest in Sex

Friday, January 11th, 2008

Living with libido loco? For a growing number of women,
declining hormones, job stress, relationship issues, menopause, and other
problems are taking their toll in the bedroom.

Loss of sexual desire, known in medical terms as hypoactive
sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is the most common form of sexual dysfunction
among women of all ages. A recent study showed that nearly one-third of women
aged 18 to 59 suffer from a lost interest in sex, and it’s not all in their
heads.

Unlike men’s main sexual complaint, erectile dysfunction,
women’s biggest sexual problem is caused by a combination of both mental and
physical factors, which aren’t likely to be cured by merely popping a pill.

“Women’s sexuality tends to be multifaceted and fairly
complicated,” says sex Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD. “Although we
would love to simplify it so we could have the one-two or even a one-punch
treatment, it doesn’t tend to work that way.”

But the introduction of anti-impotence treatments in the last
few years has spurred more research into the causes of sexual dysfunction among
both men and women, and effective therapies are available to help put the lust
back into women’s lives.

What Is Low Sexual Desire?

Contrary to popular belief, experts say frequency of sexual
intercourse has nothing to do with sexual desire or satisfaction.

“One of first things I do in speaking to women who come in
with sexual concerns is let them know that there is no normal frequency or set
of behaviors and things change with time,” says Jan Shifren, MD, an
assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. “If it’s working for them
and/or their partner, there is no problem.”

But when a woman experiences a significant decrease in interest
in sex that is having an effect on her life and is causing distress, then it’s
considered a problem of low sexual desire or HSDD.

Kingsberg says that sexual desire is more than just an issue of
low libido or sex drive. She says sexual drive is the biological component of
desire, which is reflected as spontaneous sexual interest including sexual
thoughts, erotic fantasies, and daydreams.

Kingsberg, who is an associate professor of
biology at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine says, “It’s about
your body signaling that it wants to be sexual. Whether or not there is any
intention to act on it, we all have a certain level of drive.”

That sexual drive declines naturally with age based on
physiological factors. But sexual desire also encompasses interpersonal and
factors that create a willingness to be sexual.

“Above and beyond horniness, it is the sense of intimacy in
the relationship,” says Kingsberg. “If you are mad at your spouse, you
could be horny but you’re not going want to be sexual with that particular
person.”

Therefore, all of these aspects of sexual desire must be
examined in order to determine the root of the problem.

Common causes for a loss of sexual desire and drive in women
include:

  • Interpersonal relationship issues. Partner performance problems,
    lack of emotional satisfaction with the relationship, the birth of a child, and
    becoming a caregiver for a loved one can decrease sexual desire.
  • Sociocultural influences. Job stress, peer pressure, and media
    images of sexuality can negatively influence sexual desire.
  • Low testosterone. Testosterone affects sexual drive in both men and
    women. Testosterone levels peak in women’s mid-20s and then steadily decline
    until menopause, when they drop dramatically.
  • Medical problems: Mental illnesses such as depression, or medical
    conditions, such as endometriosis, fibroids, and thyroid disorders, impact a
    woman’s sexual drive both mentally and physically.
  • Medications: Certain antidepressants (including the new generation
    of SSRIs), blood pressure lowering drugs, and oral can lower
    sexual drive in many ways, such as decreasing available testosterone levels or
    affecting blood flow.
  • Age. Blood levels of androgens fall continuously in women as they
    age.

Read more about .

Why Women Lose Interest in Sex

Wednesday, January 9th, 2008

Living with libido loco? For a growing number of women,
declining hormones, job stress, relationship issues, menopause, and other
problems are taking their toll in the bedroom.

Loss of sexual desire, known in medical terms as hypoactive
sexual desire disorder (HSDD), is the most common form of sexual dysfunction
among women of all ages. A recent study showed that nearly one-third of women
aged 18 to 59 suffer from a lost interest in sex, and it’s not all in their
heads.

Unlike men’s main sexual complaint, erectile dysfunction,
women’s biggest sexual problem is caused by a combination of both mental and
physical factors, which aren’t likely to be cured by merely popping a pill.

“Women’s sexuality tends to be multifaceted and fairly
complicated,” says sex psychologist Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD. “Although we
would love to simplify it so we could have the one-two or even a one-punch
treatment, it doesn’t tend to work that way.”

But the introduction of anti-impotence treatments in the last
few years has spurred more research into the causes of sexual dysfunction among
both men and women, and effective therapies are available to help put the lust
back into women’s lives.

What Is Low Sexual Desire?

Contrary to popular belief, experts say frequency of sexual
intercourse has nothing to do with sexual desire or satisfaction.

“One of first things I do in speaking to women who come in
with sexual concerns is let them know that there is no normal frequency or set
of behaviors and things change with time,” says Jan Shifren, MD, an
assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. “If it’s working for them
and/or their partner, there is no problem.”

But when a woman experiences a significant decrease in interest
in sex that is having an effect on her life and is causing distress, then it’s
considered a problem of low sexual desire or HSDD.

Kingsberg says that sexual desire is more than just an issue of
low libido or sex drive. She says sexual drive is the biological component of
desire, which is reflected as spontaneous sexual interest including sexual
thoughts, erotic fantasies, and daydreams.

Kingsberg, who is an associate professor of reproductive
biology at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine says, “It’s about
your body signaling that it wants to be sexual. Whether or not there is any
intention to act on it, we all have a certain level of drive.”

That sexual drive declines naturally with age based on
physiological factors. But sexual desire also encompasses interpersonal and
psychological factors that create a willingness to be sexual.

“Above and beyond horniness, it is the sense of intimacy in
the relationship,” says Kingsberg. “If you are mad at your spouse, you
could be horny but you’re not going want to be sexual with that particular
person.”

Therefore, all of these aspects of sexual desire must be
examined in order to determine the root of the problem.

Common causes for a loss of sexual desire and drive in women
include:

  • relationship issues. Partner performance problems,
    lack of emotional satisfaction with the relationship, the birth of a child, and
    becoming a caregiver for a loved one can decrease sexual desire.
  • Sociocultural influences. Job stress, peer pressure, and media
    images of sexuality can negatively influence sexual desire.
  • Low testosterone. affects sexual drive in both men and
    women. Testosterone levels peak in women’s mid-20s and then steadily decline
    until menopause, when they drop .
  • Medical problems: Mental illnesses such as depression, or medical
    conditions, such as endometriosis, fibroids, and thyroid disorders, impact a
    woman’s sexual drive both mentally and physically.
  • Medications: Certain (including the new generation
    of SSRIs), blood pressure lowering drugs, and oral can lower
    sexual drive in many ways, such as decreasing available testosterone levels or
    affecting blood flow.
  • Age. Blood levels of androgens fall continuously in women as they
    age.

, and more another.