title: Use of sildenafil for female sexual dysfunction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the pathophysiology of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and the literature regarding the use of sildenafil in its treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1966-April 2006), Iowa Drug Information Service (1966-April 2006), EMBASE (1966-April 2006), and bibliographies of pertinent articles. Search terms included female sexual dysfunction; sexual dysfunction, psychological; phosphodiesterase inhibitors; and sildenafil.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lack of a clear understanding of FSD contributes to the limited treatment options available. Studies regarding the safety and efficacy of the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor sildenafil in the management of FSD were evaluated. Many trials have been of poor quality, making clinical application of their results difficult. The current literature does not show sildenafil to be an effective treatment option for FSD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of FSD should include both physical and psychological components. Based on the limited data available, it appears that sildenafil, while well tolerated, offers little or no benefit to most patients with FSD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH 45810-1078, USA. k-shields@onu.edu
authors.forename: Kelly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hrometz
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011687:Purines; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020018:Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones
chemical_list: D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate