L o v e ,  S e x  &  H e a l t h
Love Potions

By Sora Song

January 19, 2004 Health

	photo essay
	Animal Attraction There's more than one way to make hay, as birds, bees and bonobos know
	graphic
	Where Our Sex Drive Comes From Mapping the origins of sex drive on the human body
	remedies
	Love Potions A guide to some of the medical treatments available for what ails our libidos
	self-test
	The Passionate Love Scale Determine just how you feel about that special (or ex-special) someone

Sex may be a natural act, but for the millions who suffer from sexual dysfunction, it can be vexingly unattainable. Below, a guide to some of the medical treatments available for what ails our libidos:

PRESCRIPTION THERAPIES

OPTIONS -- MEN

--Viagra, Levitra and Cialis: All these drugs work the same way, by relaxing smooth-muscle cells and widening blood vessels, primarily in the penis. Cialis stands out as particularly long-acting--up to 36 hours, compared with four or five hours for the others

--Testosterone: For men who don't produce enough, patches (Androderm, Testoderm) and gels (Androgel) deliver extra hormone through the skin

--Alprostadil: This vasodilating drug can be self-administered as an injection (Caverject) in the penis, or inserted into the urethra as a suppository (MUSE)

OPTIONS -- WOMEN

--Testosterone: Doctors prescribe the hormone in lower doses than typically used for men, though it's not approved for this use by the FDA. Women can also take under-the-tongue drops specially formulated by pharmacies or use patches and gels

--Estrogen: Tablets (Vagifem), creams (Estrace, Premarin) and a silicone ring (FemRing) inserted into the vagina release estrogen to alleviate such symptoms of menopause as vaginal dryness

--Viagra and Levitra: Initial trials are disappointing, but the drugs appear to work for some women

NONPRESCRIPTION THERAPIES

OPTIONS -- MEN

--Ginkgo biloba: Better known as a memory enhancer, this herb is believed by some to improve blood flow to the body, including the penis. Conclusive scientific proof is lacking

--Ginseng: In the lab, ginseng has been shown to release nitric oxide, but there's no evidence to suggest that it improves erectile function

--L-arginine: This naturally occurring amino acid is a precursor to nitric oxide and is believed to improve the flow of blood to the genitals

OPTIONS -- WOMEN

--Avlimil: The pill contains various plant leaves and roots and is touted as the female Viagra, but experts question its effectiveness

--Zestra: A botanical-oil lotion applied to the genitals can create a tingling sensation and enhance orgasm

--XZITE: A daily capsule, manufactured in Marina del Rey, Calif., containing Chinese plant bark, flowers and roots, which doctors at UCLA's Female Sexual Medicine Center say works for many of their patients

DEVICES

OPTIONS -- MEN

--Penile prostheses: These surgically implanted devices are still used by men who, for medical or physical reasons, don't respond to drugs

OPTIONS -- WOMEN

--Slightest Touch: UCLA doctors express high hopes for this device, which uses a set of electrodes to stimulate nerve pathways

Sources: Dr. Ridwan Shabsigh, Columbia University; Dr. Debra Wickman, Female Sexual Medicine Center, UCLA

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