Female Sexual Dysfunction-Innovative Treatment Options
Female Sexual Dysfunction- Compounding Treatment Options
Many women experience problems with sexual function at some point, and some have difficulties throughout their lives. Female sexual dysfunction can occur at any stage of life. It can occur only in certain sexual situations or in all sexual situations.
Sexual response involves a complex interplay of physiology, emotions, experiences, beliefs, lifestyle and relationships. Disruption of any component can affect sexual desire, arousal or satisfaction, and treatment often involves more than one approach.
Pavilion Compounding Pharmacy has been helping patients and providers with custom compounded medications for over 20 years. Our clinical pharmacists work with your doctor to compound a unique and individualized medication for your specific needs. Read on to hear how we can help you and your doctor with Female Sexual Dysfunction.
Oxytocin is a hormone produced primarily in the hypothalamus and acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain. It plays a huge role in the female reproduction system during child birth and with lactation. But, the hormone is best known as the “love hormone” because of how it increases with touch and stimulation. This powerful hormone plays a huge role in relationships and how we partner up with others.
If you’re experiencing sexual dysfunction and would like more information about how oxytocin may help, call or e-mail one of our pharmacists today! Pavilion Compounding Pharmacy is happy to provide additional information and we can recommend providers who are experts in this area of medicine.
Please note that oxytocin is destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract, so topicals, sublingual drops or troches, and nasal sprays are the best routes of administration.
Pavilion Compounding Pharmacy has several formulas with Oxytocin available.
For example:
- Oxytocin 12 Units/0.1mL Nasal Spray• Oxytocin 40 Units/mL Nasal Spray
- Oxytocin 20 Units/Gm Vaginal Cream • Oxytocin 40 Units/Gm Vaginal Cream
- Oxytocin 40 units sublingual troche
OXYTOCIN has been researched, studied and effectively used for many medical conditions, including lactation, uterine contractions during labor, social bonding and behavior management in autism, and even wound healing.
There are many clinical references available to support the compounded use of the chemical. In the Behnia study, 30 pre- and post-menopausal women with sexual dysfunction were treated with intranasal oxytocin versus placebo. They were given 24 units of intranasal oxytocin 35 minutes prior to sexual activity. The group receiving oxytocin reported increased intensity of orgasm and sexual contentment compared to the placebo group. Both groups reported improved sexual function. In the group of women who also reported depression, the oxytocin group reported improved symptoms versus the placebo group.
The main study also reported similar results. Over the course of eight weeks, intranasal oxytocin (32 IU) or placebo was self-administered by women within 50 minutes of sexual intercourse. Intranasal oxytocin improved sexual function and symptoms of depression in women over time.
Bremelanotide (PT-141)
Another potential treatment option from Pavilion Compounding Pharmacy is bremelanotide, also know as PT-141. Bremelanotide stimulates the melanocortin receptor in the brain and has been shown to increase sexual arousal and desire.
In one study, those who used bremelanotide nasal spray reported higher levels of sexual desire. The women who had sexual intercourse within 24 hours after bremelanotide also reported that they were more satisfied with their level of sexual arousal.
Bremelanotide was also studied in two large clinical trials as a subcutaneous injection. The study showed that women taking bremelanotide experienced significant increase in sexual desire and significant reductions in distress. Pavilion’s pharmacists have formulated a nasal spray and sublingual tablets/drops that can be used based on a prescription from your doctor.
Testosterone- The “Orgasm” hormone
Testosterone in women plays a vital role in the maintenance of the female genital system, including the labia majora, clitoris, and nipples. Low testosterone in women is associated with decreased activity in the portion of the brain that is responsible for emotion regulation, identification of the emotional significance of stimuli, and generation of an affective response. The presence of testosterone in women may be the single most important determinant of sexual readiness and mood, and has been positively linked to orgasm in many studies.
Testosterone Intranasal Spray in Clinical Research
Study 1
In a Phase II clinical trial by Laan, et al, intranasal testosterone was studied for female orgasmic disorder (FOD) in 59 patients. Of the patients diagnosed with FOD and treated with intranasal testosterone, 40% of the treatment group reported experiencing an orgasm or sensations indicative of an orgasm for the first time. Women treated with intranasal testosterone also reported more intense feelings of sexual arousal after stimulation and showed an increased genital response.1
Study 2
In another study by van Gorsel, et al, patients treated with intranasal testosterone had significantly higher vaginal pulse amplitude (VPA) responses as soon as 30 minutes following administration in FOD patients. VPA measures the pressure change of the blood vessels within the vagina, which indicate a sexual response.
Can’t I use my Testosterone Cream?
When comparing the intranasal route to the intravenous route for testosterone application, Banks, et al, found that even though both routes deliver testosterone throughout the whole body, intranasal testosterone reaches concentrations in the brain at levels almost twice as high as the Intravenous (IV) route.3 Since the goal of this therapy is to activate central sexual mechanisms in the brain, applying testosterone as a cream may not give you the same effects as an intranasal spray.
How Do I Get Testosterone Intranasal Spray?
Pavilion Compounding Pharmacy’s compounded Intranasal Testosterone solution is available to patients by obtaining a prescription from your doctor. Call Pavilion Compounding Pharmacy today at 404-350-5780 to speak to one of our pharmacists about Intranasal Testosterone therapy. We may be able to request a prescription for Intranasal Testosterone from your doctor or refer you to one of the experts we work with. You can also contact us through our website, online chat, or e-mail us at staff@pavilionrx.com
Testosterone intranasal spray may be compounded as a 0.6mg/spray in a 5ml nasal spray bottle. Other concentrations and doses are available. A commonly prescribed dose based on the research is 1-3 sprays in nostril once daily 2-8 hours before planned sexual event.
References
1.Laan E, Nievaart M, Tkachenko NM, Dickstein J, Kreppner W, Lunsen RHW. Randomized, placebo controlled, five-arm parallel group study to assess efficacy of TBS-2 intranasal gel using vibrotactile stimulation combined with visual sexual stimulation in women with anorgasmia. J Sex Med. 2013;10:165–166.
2. Gorsel H, Laan, Tkachenko NM, Dickstein J, Kreppner W. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic efficacy of testosterone intranasal gel in women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder and anorgasmia.J Sex Med. 2012;9(3):162–180.
3. Banks WA, Morley JE, Niehoff ML, Mattern C. Delivery of testosterone to the brain by intranasal administration: comparison to intravenous testosterone.J Drug Target. 2009;17(2):91-97.