| Dear Marla: I'm 48 years-old and taking Prozac. I still want sex but since I started taking the antidepressants, my body just doesn't seem to respond. Does this make sense, and what can I do? Carla Dear Carla: Female sexual dysfunction (the clinical term used to describe low sexual desire or response) is a common adverse effect associated with antidepressants that has been reported in 50% to 70% of Prozac users. 1 In 1999, almost 25-million prescriptions for Prozac were written in the United States2 and approximately 70% of prescriptions for antidepressants are given to women.3 It?s no wonder that female sexual dysfunction is a hot topic for research and that research includes an increasing number of clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of sildenafil (commonly known as Viagra®) as a treatment option for women. The good news is these trials have shown positive results for women using antidepressants who experience a decrease in sexual responsiveness. In fact, our pharmacy has worked with some of these women by preparing a 2% sildenafil topical gel prescribed by the patient?s health care provider. After applying the gel to the clitoral area 30 minutes before intimacy, patients have reported experiencing increased sensations of warmth, lubrication, and tingling in the genital area, which has lasted several hours and ultimately resulted in greatly increased sensitivity and a pleasurable sexual response. There are many emotional, psychological, relational and physical reasons why a woman may experience a decline in sexual desire or sexual response, so it would be up to you and your health care provider to determine if this type of treatment might be appropriate for you. In any case, we recommend a saliva hormone test to be sure your hormone levels are in the acceptable range before choosing any treatment option for female sexual dysfunction. Please have your health care provider call us at 800.558.7046 if we can provide additional information about sildenafil and other treatment options for women. 1 Cohen, Jay S., M.D., Overdose, Tarcher Putnam, New York, 2001, p. 44 2 Cohen, Jay S., M.D., Overdose, Tarcher Putnam, New York, 2001, p. 36 3 Jensvold MF, Halbreich U, Hamilton JA, eds. Psychopharmacology and Women: Sex, Gender and Hormones. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press; 1996 Educating women on health care options is the personal mission of Marla Ahlgrimm, R.Ph., founder and CEO of Women's Health America. If you have a women's health care question, send it to Marla at
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