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Review
. 2017 Jan;8(1):16-25.
doi: 10.1177/2040622316679933. Epub 2017 Jan 18.

Flibanserin for hypoactive sexual desire disorder: place in therapy

Faina Gelman  1 , Jessica Atrio  2
Affiliations
Review

Flibanserin for hypoactive sexual desire disorder: place in therapy

Faina Gelman et al. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

The pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of female sexual interest in pre- and post-menopausal women present a complex arena for patients and physicians to navigate. Flibanserin was the first pharmacologic treatment, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in August 2015, for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women. Side effects, contraindications and lack of approval in postmenopausal women are all limitations, as are issues surrounding patient and physician knowledge and access. Testosterone, buspirone, sildenafil, bupropion, bremelanotide, as well as herbal medications (Herbal vX or Tribulus terrestris) have demonstrated some clinical benefit in women with sexual dysfunction disorders however, trials have significant design, dosing or generalizability limitations. Nonpharmaceutical cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness meditation, pelvic floor therapy, and clitoral stimulators are also interventions women may pursue. This manuscript will explore the clinical data regarding these therapeutic modalities so as to bring attention to this issue of female HSDD, to offer an overview of current research, and to incite providers to initiate discussion among themselves and their patients.

Keywords: female sexual interest and arousal disorders; flibanserin; hypoactive sexual desire disorder; libido; little pink pill; sexual dysfunction.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The female sexual response. Masters and Johnson, 1966.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Basson’s Non-Lineal Model. Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, 2008.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Structure of Flibanserin. Sprout Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2015.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Mean + SD Plasma Flibanserin Concentration-Time Profiles in Healthy Female Subjects Following a Single Oral Dose of 100mg of Flibanserin (Linear Scale). Sprout Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2015.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Eros Device. Zanders M, 2016.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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