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Sexual Problems in Women - Medications
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
Because a woman's sexuality encompasses physical, emotional, and psychological factors, the causes of sexual problems are often complex and interrelated. Medicines may be used in treating certain conditions that contribute to sexual problems.
If you are taking medicine for another condition, such as depression, diabetes, or high blood pressure, and you notice that you are having sexual problems, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if there is other medicine you can take.
Medication Choices
Lidocaine gel. For women who have pain in the area around the opening to the vagina (vulvodynia), putting on lidocaine gel shortly before sexual intercourse may be helpful. Talk to your doctor about how to use lidocaine safely.
Estrogen (for post-menopausal women). 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 vaginal lining thicker. 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 doctor about taking daily (systemic) estrogen therapy.
Estrogen can increase the blood flow in the
vagina 
and 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, ovarian cancer, dangerous blood
clots, stroke, and dementia. Talk to your doctor 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 testosterone 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.
A woman who has had surgery to remove her uterus (hysterectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy) will suddenly be in menopause. She will have an immediate drop in both estrogen and testosterone. She may then have a problem with sexual desire. If so, her doctor may suggest hormone therapy. In women who no longer have ovaries (or whose ovaries are no longer working), testosterone with estrogen therapy has been shown to increase sexual desire.4
What To Think About
Some medicines for treating depression may cause side effects related to sexual problems, such as decreased sexual desire. Other antidepressants like bupropion (Wellbutrin) or mirtazapine (Remeron) may be a better choice, as these are less likely to cause this kind of side effects.
Sildenafil (Viagra), which is used to treat erectile dysfunction in men, also is being studied for use in women who have arousal problems.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: March 10, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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