New Study Suggests Viagra May Help Women On Antidepressants

[MelissaCrystal]

Have any of you considered asking your doctors about this new study?

http://www.slate.com/id/2195863/

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/07...a-works-fo.html

My doctor already knows I'm having issues with my down there parts, my sex drive hasn't changed but I don't enjoy sex anymore (the feeling just isn't there). She says it's a common side effect of the beta blockers I take AND the Paxil--so I get a double whammy.

I just recently saw many articles about this new study saying that the regular viagra pill may help women who are like me----have a sex drive mentally but having trouble physically. I'm really excited, but I'm wondering how weird it would be for a 21 year old to ask her doctor for viagra based on a new study. Are doctors allowed to prescribe a female viagra? Is it against some FDA law you think? I wonder if Viagra would be bad for my blood pressure or POTS symptoms....

I'm with my boyfriend of 4 years and I don't know what I'd do if he got fed up with me not being able to enjoy sex. That was the most important part of our sexual relationship to him before the drugs.

What do you guys think my doctor would say? What do you think about this new study? Anyone out there having issues they'd like a miracle pill for?

[mkoven]

I can't say one way or anohter, but isn't viagra a vasodilator? On those tv ads, isn't there some warning about dangerous drops in bp? I'd be most concerned about that. But sure, go ahead and ask your doctor.

[Guest tearose]

At what point do we stop needing a pill to overcome the side effects of the previous one?

[DancingLight]

I heard the study reported about on NPR.

The commentary lead me to believe that the study was done with a very small subject group and was only a beginning step in seeing whether or not this is even a possibility for women.

The percentage of women on or off of anti-depressants who suffer from sexual dysfunction is very high...

I was not quite totally awake when I heard the study, but my understanding was that although the results were considered 'significant' they weren't necessarily considered to be significant in a way that would impact a lot of women's sex lives for the better.

The urging seemed to be to replicate and seek more information at this point.

Wellbutrin is known as an anti-depressant that does NOT cause sexual side effects and this is why some women choose this medication over others, however, we don't all tolerate this med!

You can always ask your doctor, but I don't think docs are going to be prescribing Viagra anytime soon based on this one small study.

Here's hoping for better answers soon!

Emily

[bjt22]

For me, a glass of wine works quite well....and probably has far few side effects.

[Sophia3]

whether viagra helps depends on the PROBLEM.

For many with ans issues, inorgasmia is a HUGE problem.

If arousal is an issue, that can be hormonal/medicine related...or wrong relationship!

If you notice your body not responding like it used to and are on meds to mess with sexual function, start there (ALL antidepressants, beta blockers just for starters)

Alcohol can help 'some people' to relax but cause major dysfunction in others.

If blood flow to the area is an PROBLEM, Viagra can absolutely help.

Also testosterone in small doses can help. Especially in older women.

We can get black stray hairs on our face, but little testosterone below the equator!!

So there is no one size fits all to this most, very complicated puzzle!!!

So many variances from fatigue, to hormones to communication of nerve endings to medicines.

Just don't wany anybody thinking one thing is IT.

But low testosterone (a couple of blood tests for this, normal and free circulating) and problems with blood flow to the are seem to lead the medical shows/articles I have read over the last 15 years!!

Years ago, well I could practically...hmmm, how shall I word this ...well, time my reactions to the situation!!! and 'get there' whenever I wanted.

I shall leave it at that.

[flop]

Have you considered seeing a psychosexual counsellor? Don't be put off by the "psycho" part of the title, they are trained in helping people with physical issues around sex as much as those with psychological issues. I have found that Paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat) has left me with no sexual desire at all (don't even think about the subject). I've wondered about seeking advice but as I am not in a relationship at the moment it is not high on my priority list (though I do wonder if I might find a partner more easily if I was actually interested in looking for one??).

Interesting topic - I'll look out for any info on it.

Flop