Lauren Streicher, MD, is an Associate Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University's medical school, The Feinberg School of Medicine. Sometimes you're just not in the mood for sex, which is a normal reaction to a long day of stress-induced meetings, your turn for carpool and still needing to whip up a healthy meal for dinner.
However, when you're NEVER in the mood, you could be suffering from a type of sexual dysfunction.
In fact, 43 percent of women suffer from some sort of sexual dysfunction and are often looking for something to boost their mood.
And why shouldn't they?
The drug Flibanserin is locked in a heated battle for approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, raising controversial questions about why there are so many sexual enhancement drugs available for men and zero for women.
The drug was recently rejected by the FDA.
Around 11,000 women participated in Flibanserin clinical trials. According to Sprout Pharmaceutical's results, on average, women taking Flibanserin doubled their number of so-called "satisfying sexual events" while taking the drug and reported a 50 percent increase in sexual desire. Flibanserin is more than curing a weak libido. It's specifically for treating Hypo-active Sexual Desire Disorder, or HSDD.
Roughly 15 percent of women who participated in the study dropped out because of the side effects, including sleepiness, dizziness and anxiety.
Even though Viagra trials only included 3,000 men and demonstrated some extreme side effects, the FDA still approved it.
This leaves many women's health advocates to believe women are being treated unequally.
Could Flibanserin be the female version of Viagra?
Associate Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University's medical school, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Dr. Lauren Streicher, MD, shares the controversy surrounding Filbanserin.
Flibanserin: New Viagra for Women?
Guest
: Lauren Streicher, MD
From the Show: HER
Summary: Why are there are so many sexual enhancement drugs available for men and zero for women?
Air Date: 6/26/14
Duration: 10
Host: Michelle King Robson and Pamela Peeke, MD
