Study Shows Treatment Benefits Women With Low Sex Drive.(bupropion )

2001 MAY 10 (NewsRx Network) -- A study published in the May-June 2001 issue of the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy found that bupropion hydrochloride sustained-release tablets may be an effective treatment for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in females, a deficiency or absence of sexual desire and fantasies for sexual activity.

HSDD affects at least 20% of women in the United States. Currently, there is no approved drug treatment for HSDD and psychotherapy has proven minimally effective.

Researchers reported that almost one-third of the female subjects responded to the treatment, with increases in the number of episodes of sexual arousal, sexual fantasy, and interest in engaging in sexual activity. According to lead investigator R. Taylor Segraves, MD, PhD, professor of psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at MetroHealth Medical Center, response was seen as early as two weeks during the treatment phase.

By the end of the eight-week treatment phase, the response rate indicated a more than two-fold increase in frequency of interest in sexual activity (from an average of 0.9 times at the end of the placebo phase to 2.3 times after treatment), almost double the frequency of sexual arousal (from 1.3 to 2.4 times, on average), and more than twice the number of sexual fantasies (from 0.7 times to 1.8 times, on average following treatment). By the end of the treatment phase nearly 40% reported being satisfied with their sexual desire, whereas 100% were dissatisfied before starting treatment.

"The results of this study are encouraging, especially in light of the need for more attention to this issue," said Segraves. "Low libido ...