Female sexual dysfunction: what's new?

Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Dec;19(6):536-40. doi: 10.1097/GCO.0b013e3282f1c733.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The aim of this article is to summarize the most important and interesting achievements which have recently been made in the field of female sexual dysfunction.

Recent findings: During the last years, the characterization of the female sexual response has been re-examined, resulting in new approaches to the description of female sexual dysfunction, diagnostic criteria and (pharmacological and nonpharmacological) treatment options. The focus of this review is to summarize in brief the latest achievements in the classification, diagnosis, and therapy of symptoms of sexual arousal and orgasmic disorders in adult females.

Summary: Future research efforts may provide new diagnostic and (pharmacological and nonpharmacological) treatment algorithms suitable for use in daily clinical practice to approach the different categories of female sexual dysfunction symptoms.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Estrogens / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Psychotherapy / methods*
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / classification
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / diagnosis
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / therapy*
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / classification
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / diagnosis
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
  • Estrogens
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors