Female impotence explained?
Up to four out of
ten women are believed to suffer from impotence, also known as female sexual dysfunction,
and once called frigidity as an insult rather than a description. Classified as an
inability to enjoy sex either as a result of physical or psychological issues, it is far
harder to diagnose or define than male impotence, and some dispute that it really exists.
However, recent
research suggests that there are more physical causes for sexual dysfunction than
previously believed. Certain illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, multiple
sclerosis and some prescription drugs may be linked with female sexual dysfunction.
Stress is also a major factor, with women finding that
they are asked to play a growing number of roles: career woman; wife/partner; mother;
cleaner, cook. Childbirth, menopause, tiredness, boredom and even worries about ageing can
be underlying elements.
Symptoms include
lack of sexual desire, insufficient vaginal lubrication, or even if sexually aroused, the
inability to reach orgasm. Inhibited sexual
desire is thought to affect 80 per cent of women who seek help for sexual dysfunction.
A new placebo-controlled, double blind clinical study
into female sexual health has shown improvement in women’s sexual desire and overall
satisfaction following use of a nutritional supplement, Arginmax. Dr Mary Polan at Stanford University School of
Medicine carried out the study and the results were published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy. See below for details.
Natural sex
General Nutrition
Centres (GNC) have produced two nutritional supplements as alternatives to Viagra. Their Arginmax products are, they claim, ‘clinically proven to support sexual
vitality’. The two supplements, in both male and female versions, contain the natural
ingredient L-Arginine, an amino acid involved in producing nitric oxide, which is needed
for circulation, particularly in maintaining blood flow. GNC conducted double-blind,
placebo controlled trials in the US as described above, and came up with the following
results:
Amongst women
who took GNC Arginmax:
74 per cent
reported improved satisfaction with their overall sex life
71 per cent
noted an improvement in their level of sexual desire, and
65 per cent
reported increased frequency of intercourse
Amongst men
taking GNC Arginmax:
87.5 per cent
reported improvement in ability to maintain an erection during intercourse
75 per cent
reported improvement in satisfaction with their overall sex life.
In the female study, 77 women, ages 22-71, enrolled as
participants lacking in sexual desire. Neither the women volunteers nor the investigators
knew who was getting the supplement or the placebo during the study. Of the 77 women, 34
received the supplement and 43 received a placebo. The participants used the Female Sexual
Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire to rate their level of sexual health before starting
and after completing the four-week study.
The product also
contains ginseng, ginkgo biloba, vitamins C and E, selenium and zinc, which between them
are thought to help improve circulation -
including erectile tissue - provide key antioxidants, maximise sperm production and
increase testosterone levels.
Sounds
impressive, so it may be worth a try, as long as you don’t expect miracles. GNC Arginmax is available from GNC stores priced
at £17.99 for 90 capsules. For nearest store details and mail order, call 0845 601 3248
or visit the website at www.gnc.co.uk
And another alternative to Viagra
Here’s one for
men only: a prescription-only treatment for
erectile dysfunction. It’s called Cialis, and
the big difference to Viagra is that it allows a window of opportunity of up to 24 hours. The Viagra effect wears off after a couple of hours.
Cialis is the
brand name for tadalafil, and is in the same group of drugs as Viagra. It only works when the person is sexually stimulated (no
worries about a 24 hour erection then), and should be taken about 30 minutes before
anticipated need. Side effects, as with Viagra,
include possible headache or indigestion.
The treatment has been developed over 7 years on more
than 4000 men, many over 65. It is not
licenced for women. Anyone considering taking
Cialis needs to discuss the subject with their doctor, as some medications, especially
those containing nitrates, interact unfavourably.
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Tried, tested - and unsafe
Well over 80 per
cent of procedures you may encounter in a hospital have never been tested for their safety
or efficacy, says the publication What Doctors
Don’t Tell You. One example of this is the
pulmonary-artery catheter, given almost routinely to elderly, high-risk patients in
intensive care. It’s an invasive procedure, and one that could be fatal according to
many doctors and nurses.
Researchers from
the University of Calgary decided to observe the progress of 1,994 patients, half of whom
were given a catheter before emergency surgery, while the rest had standard care without
the catheter.
The worst fears of the consultants were confirmed. The
report, published in the New England Journal of
Medicine, showed that those given a catheter were more likely to suffer a pulmonary
embolism although, thereafter, survival rates at six and 12 months were similar in both
groups.
So what are the
benefits of the catheter? None at all, say the researchers.
It’s an invasive procedure that can be safely stopped.
Fancy
a Personal Diet Trainer?
A qualified
nutritionist who offers counselling and ongoing advice over a period of 3 months could be
just what any yo-yo dieter requires. The
Women’s Nutritional Advisory Service has set up its Personal Diet Trainer Service
after finding that fewer than 60 per cent of people responding to their questionnaire had
a totally inadequate diet. On this basis, it was
hardly surprising to find that 78 per cent suffered
fatigue and 74 per cent had skin problems.
The goal of the
service is to educate individuals on how to meet their body’s nutritional needs and
so improve their physical appearance and general health, says Maryon Stewart, founder of
WNAS.
The service consists of an initial telephone
consultation and 11 follow-up calls, once a week, after which clients can still get
support if they need it. Cost for the service is
£60 for the three months.
As part of the
package, participants will receive the WNAS Discovery Plan, an 8-week dietary exploration
designed to find out which foods are right for individual needs in order to deliver
optimum health and weight loss (no, they
haven’t forgotten that rather important element).
If you want to find out more, check with the WNAS
website: and see if you
can talk your way to a healthier, slimmer you.
If in any doubt about any of
the information covered in healthwise articles and its relevance for you, consult your GP.
In edition 35:-
When a doctor says it`s
just your age
Ageism
is rife in the NHS..so if in doubt or dissatisfied, get a second opinion
Who gets menopausal symptoms
A
survey reveals just how many women really do suffer severe symptoms from the menopause
Updates on prostrate problems
A
new drug is likely to be available by the end of 2003
Hot peppers aid indigestion
Yes
really...!
The `white coat` effect
Findings
support the well-known `white coat` effect, which suggests that people`s blood pressure
goes up when it is taken by a doctor.
Index to
all previous Healthwise editions
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