Sexual problems: all in the mind?

Sexual problems: all in the mind?: "Sexual problems: all in the mind?
Written by Rachel Newcombe

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is thought to affect around 43 per cent of women, yet a recent report suggests it could be a figment of the drug industry’s imagination. Are these concerns justified, or is it a real condition?

The idea that FSD may be a marketing ploy surfaced in a recent issue of the British Medical Journal, where Australian journalist Ray Moynihan suggested drug companies had created the disorder, through close ties with researchers, as a way to market medication.

'The potential risk, in a process so heavily sponsored by drug companies, is that the complex social, personal and physical causes of sexual difficulties – and the range of solutions to them – will be swept away in the rush to diagnose, label and prescribe,' claimed Ray


© PhotoDisc
It is estimated that around 40 per cent of women suffer from sexual problems, but less than 20 per cent actually seek help from their doctors.
Taboo subject

Sadly, female sexual problems are often taboo subjects, and many experts and women are therefore angered by the claims. The first estimated figure of FSD sufferers – 43 per cent of women aged 18-59 – was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) as recently as 1999, giving a much-needed boost to coverage of the issue.

According to Dr John Dean, from the British Society for Sexual and Impotence Research, FSD is indeed a recognised condition. He says problems are caused by a number of factors, such as psychological, medical and relationship difficulties, and he believes that 'drugs can help some people'.

However, Dr Dean says experts have to be cautious they don’t put too much emphasis on the role of medicine, because this could stop some people from exploring other avenues that may be beneficial.

The truth will out

The Impotence Association, which provides help and advice for women affected by FSD, also insist the condition’s genuine. A spokesperson said the introduction of drugs to treat FSD could herald a breakthrough for women, by encouraging them to 'get help and acknowledge their difficulties'.

The organisation believes the anti-impotence drug Viagra played a vital part in helping to destigmatise men’s erectile dysfunction problems, so FSD drugs could have a similar positive effect.

Sexual problems can be long-term, or occur suddenly, the association explains, and 'some medical conditions, such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, can be linked'. As well as lack of desire, other common elements include inability to orgasm, pain on intercourse and vaginismus (involuntary muscle spasms in the vagina).

Treatments are limited, but a spokesperson for the British Psychological Society said counselling and other therapies have proved beneficial in certain cases and were worth exploring.

Fighting old fashioned attitudes

Forty-three-year-old Annie* from the Midlands, who’s been married for 16 years and experienced FSD in the last three years, was horrified to hear the claims. 'I’m enraged that someone, particularly a man, has the cheek to announce that my experiences aren’t real,' she says.

'It’s attitudes like this that cause women like me to be silent, afraid to discuss their concerns with anyone for fear of ridicule. It took me ages to pluck up courage to mention it to my doctor. And even then it was extremely difficult.'

Like other women, she’s keen to emphasise that FSD isn’t always a psychological problem and can have physical origins. She also firmly believes medication is needed, adding, 'Men with sexual problems get offered treatment, so why shouldn’t women?'

Debate continues

Last year the company Datamonitor carried out research into FSD. Like the JAMA report, it found that more than 40 per cent of women suffer from sexual problems, but less than 20 per cent actually seek help from their doctors.

Critics say part of the problem lies in the fact that the original JAMA study, carried out at the University of Chicago, was only based on a survey of 1,500 women and the criteria for judging whether they had FSD wasn’t clear.

Additionally, some researchers have inadvertently given the condition bad press, as they failed to mention sponsorship by pharmaceutical companies.

Pfizer, the company behind Viagra and one of the firms developing FSD medication, has been quick to defend criticism. A spokesperson said the product was being developed to fulfil 'unmet medical requirements' and that academics had been investigating the possibility long before approaching them to develop it.

Despite the claims, for those who think they could be affected, the Impotence Association says the advice remains, 'Seek help and don’t be embarrassed.'

* Not her real name

Further information

Impotence Association: www.impotence.org.uk

British Society for Sexual and Impotence Research: www.bssir.com

European Sexual Dysfunction Alliance: www.esda.eu.com/home.htm

Sexual Dysfunction Information Bureau: www.impotenceireland.com

British Psychological Society: www.bps.org.uk"