PDE-5 inhibitors like Viagra can help menopausal women overcome symptoms of sexual dysfunction
In men, Viagra works by increasing blood flow to the genitals. Many researchers have theorized that women could also benefit from increased blood flow, which would support enhanced sexual function from arousal through to orgasm. Recently, one group of researchers from Northwestern University set out to test this theory.
The twelve-week study included 202 women who had either entered menopause naturally due to age or surgically due to hysterectomy, and who complained of symptoms including lack of excitement, vaginal dryness, and poor sensitivity/arousal. The women were screened to ensure that emotional or relationship issues were not causing their problems in the bedroom.
Some of the women were given Sildenafil (a PDE-5 inhibitor commonly known as Viagra) and some were given a placebo. The women who took Sildenafil reported better overall sexual satisfaction including improvements in arousal, lubrication, and orgasm, leading researchers to conclude that “the little blue pill” can indeed help menopausal women improve their sex lives.
A Multi-Faceted Approach is Best
While it is true that using Viagra to increase blood flow to vaginal tissues can help make them stronger and more elastic, for many women this may not be sufficient to relieve vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. Fortunately, additional help can be found through estrogen therapy. Topical estrogen can be delivered directly to the vaginal tissue to help improve elasticity and moisture. Alternatively, estrogen replacement therapy can be used to boost estrogen levels throughout the body, which will help relieve vaginal dryness as well as many other symptoms of menopause.
Testosterone therapy is another essential element of any female sexual dysfunction treatment program. Women don’t rely on testosterone for sexual performance as heavily as men do, but they do need a little bit of this hormone to enjoy a healthy sex drive. Testosterone can start decreasing even before menopause, so by the time you do enter menopause it is highly likely that your sex life could benefit from a testosterone boost. Other research has shown the combination of a PDE-5 inhibitor and testosterone to be effective in improving female sexual dysfunction.
For women who have difficulty with arousal and orgasm, oxytocin treatment can be extremely helpful. Oxytocin is a hormone released during physical contact, foreplay, and sex. Women need astronomical levels of oxytocin to reach orgasm. We offer a convenient oxytocin spray that can be used before sex to enhance the experience and improve orgasm quality.
Want to Learn More?
If you have questions about sex after menopause, please contact Renew Youth today for personalized attention and treatments tailored to your specific needs.