Viagra (Sildenafil Sirate) and women

Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) doesn’t work as a treatment for women, most studies show. But new research suggests that among women who suffer sexual side effects as a result of antidepressants, the little blue pill may help.

Sexual side effects due to antidepressant treatment are common, affecting from 30 percent to 70 percent of men and women who use the drugs. In the first month of treatment, about two out of three patients will stop using antidepressants, often citing sexual side effects as a reason.

In a new study, researchers studied the effects of Viagra and a placebo in 98 women, average age of 37, who were using antidepressants for major depression. All the women also reported sexual side effects like lack of arousal or difficulty achieving orgasm. For eight weeks, the women took either Viagra or a placebo pill one to two hours before having sex.

The study, which was funded by Viagra-maker Pfizer, showed that 72 percent of women taking Viagra reported improvement, compared to 27 percent of those taking the placebo. The Viagra users reported significant improvements in their ability to achieve orgasm and enjoyment and showed greater improvement in overall sexual function based on an established rating scale.

The finding is believed to be the first time researchers have demonstrated an effective treatment for antidepressant-related sexual side effects in women. It’s also one of the few studies that has shown a benefit of Viagra for women with sexual problems. So far, studies of Viagra in women have been disappointing, showing that while the drug increased blood flow to a woman’s genital area, that change failed to enhance women’s enjoyment of sex.

Because the study involved only a small group of women, it’s not viewed as conclusive. In addition, because Viagra has obvious side effects, such as flushing and headache, it’s possible the Viagra users were aware they were getting the real drug and not the placebo, which could have influenced their perceptions of the benefit.

Dr. Glenn D. Braunstein, an endocrinologist and chairman of the department of medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, told The Los Angeles Times that the findings need to be confirmed in a larger group of women. That said, he expects many women using antidepressants won’t wait for another study.

“If I had to predict, use of Viagra will go up,” he told the paper. “A woman might not even ask her gynecologist for it — she might just ask her significant other to give her some.”