Since Viagra hit the market in 1998, there has been a revolution of sorts for men who use it. But to date, no magic pill has been available for female sexual problems.
But researchers are making headway in helping women solve sexual intimacy problems. A new study, accepted by the National Institutes of Health, will test the efficacy and safety of Zestra Feminine Arousal Fluid in 200 women with common sexual problems. Zestra is a non-prescription topical solution made from two botanical oils and two extracts.
An earlier study found Zestra to be more effective than placebo oil for enhancing arousal in women diagnosed with female sexual arousal disorder as well as in those who did not have the disorder.
Women with sexual arousal disorder reported positive results 85 percent of the time using Zestra and only 33 percent of the time with the placebo oil. Women not affected by the disorder reported positive results 95 percent of the time using Zestra and 73 percent of the time with the placebo oil.
Zestra also demonstrated effectiveness in women taking SSRI antidepressants, which often cause sexual side effects. The study of 20 women was published in 2003 in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy.
Research shows that sexual dysfunction affects more than 40 million American women. The causes could be physical or psychological. A variety of medical conditions can contribute to the problem, including depression, nerve damage, heart disease, diabetes and menopause; lifestyle factors such as smoking; and certain medications (including antihistamines, bladder-control drugs and hormonal contraceptives).
Zestra has been available in major pharmacy chain stores since May 2005 and is marketed as a consumer product under the Food and Drug Administration Cosmetics Act to improve sexual experiences of women. Ingredients in Zestra include borage seed oil, evening primrose oil, angelica extract and coleus extract. It is manufactured by Zestra Laboratories Inc., formerly QualiLife Pharmaceuticals.
For more information, visit www.zestraforwomen.com. -NU |
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