Mar 24, 2008

Program aims to help women with sexual dysfunction

By Melanie Carroll / Daily News Staff Writer

For many women, an annual 15-minute visit to the gynecologist rarely covers what men have been talking about since the creation of Viagra: sexual dysfunction.

A new program at Stanford aims to reverse this trend by educating women about female sexual dysfunction, which can include a lack of sexual desire, an inability to become aroused, a lack of orgasm and painful intercourse.

"Five years ago, when I suggested we start this program, people said 'Why?' There are so many other important things in medicine," said Dr. Leah Millheiser, the founder of the Female Sexual Medicine Program and OB-GYN instructor at the Stanford School of Medicine. "My response was that if this is such a common problem, and it's relatively easy to treat, why are we keeping it in the closet?"

Forty-three percent of women ages 18 to 49 suffer from sexual dysfunction, while half of those between the ages of 57 and 85 experience it, the physician said. The aim of the program is to provide women with the education and therapy they need to take control of their sexuality and sexual function.

"These problems are underdiagnosed, underreported and undertreated. They deserve a lot of attention," said Dr. Jonathan Berek, professor and chair of Stanford's OB-GYN department.

While the Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve any drugs specifically designed to treat the problem, several other treatments can be effective, including Viagra, testosterone and Wellbutrin XL, Millheiser said.

Women complaining of sexual dysfunction may be suffering from other illnesses, the physician said.

"A sexual complaint can be a marker of serious underlying disease, which is why it's so important for a patient to tell her doctor so it can be further explored," Millheiser said.

Illnesses including diabetes, heart disease, nerve disorders and hormone problems may be connected to sexual dysfunction, the doctor said.

Millheiser recommended that women talk to their doctors about any dysfunction concerns they may have, and if the physician does not adequately address their issues, they should seek a doctor who will.

The new program is housed in the gynecology area of the Blake Wilbur building.



E-mail Melanie Carroll at mcarroll@dailynewsgroup.com.