Efficacy of sildenafil in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction due to multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the tolerability, safety and efficacy of sildenafil for the treatment of women with sexual dysfunction secondary to multiple sclerosis, as well as the role of somatosensory evoked potential neurophysiological testing.


METHODS
We performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, crossover study investigating the effects of sildenafil in women with multiple sclerosis and sexual dysfunction. Assessments were done by validated questionnaires. Pudendal and tibial evoked potentials were also recorded.


RESULTS
A total of 19 women completed the 2 arms of the double-blind phase and 12 completed the optional open label extension phase. Statistically significant improvement following sildenafil was only reported in the lubrication domain of sexual function during the double-blind phase. There was no overall change in quality of life after sildenafil. There was a significant correlation between the latency of tibial and pudendal evoked potentials.


CONCLUSIONS
Sildenafil only appeared to produce limited benefit in certain individuals with female sexual dysfunction. Some measure of the extent of neurological deficit in these patients could be ascertained from the latency of tibial evoked potentials, which correlated with pudendal evoked potentials. However, it could not predict the extent of sexual dysfunction. Sildenafil is unlikely to help all patients with neurogenic female sexual dysfunction.
Dasgupta
Ranan
R
Departmetn of Uro-Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, United Kingdom.
Wiseman
Oliver J
OJ
Kanabar
Gorande
G
Fowler
Clare J
CJ
Mikol
Daniel  D
D
D000465:Algorithms; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate