New clinical trials explore treatment to restore sex...( CLEVELAND: For millions of women decr...)

CLEVELAND: For millions of women, decreased sexual desire is often an unfortunate consequence of hysterectomy or menopause. Diminished sexual desire can lead to feelings of unhappiness, concern, frustration, and leave a lasting impact on a woman's relationship with her partner. An investigational hormone patch developed by Proctor & Gamble and now in clinical trials may offer hope to post-menopausal women who have experienced a decline in sexual desire.

The clinical trials of a thin, nearly-transparent patch worn discreetly on the abdomen are being conducted at University Hospitals of Cleveland and more than 150 other sites in the U.S. and Canada.

"In earlier Phase I trials the correct dosing to minimize side effects was established. Now we are trying to determine the effectiveness of this approach for restoring sexual desire," says to James Liu, MD, director of MacDonald Women's Hospital at University Hospitals of Cleveland. Dr. Liu was involved in Phase I studies at the University of Cincinnati before coming to Cleveland.

"More than 40 million women suffer from the lack of sexual desire, which often leads to personal distress or relationship issues," says Sheryl Kingsberg, PhD., clinical psychologist at MacDonald Women's Hospital at UHC. "Since no medications currently are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of diminished sexual desire, these clinical studies are an important step in the development of new therapeutic options to help many women and their partners regain a satisfactory sex life."

Lack of sexual desire is described as the absence of sexual fantasies or thoughts, or a lack of interest in sexual activity. Approximately 43 percent of women have experienced some form of difficulty in their sexual function, significantly higher than the reported 31 percent of men. Many women experience a decline in sexual desire when hormone levels fall following a total hysterectomy or menopause.
'"/>

Contact: Paula Morrison
paula.morrison@uhhs.com
216-844-3825
University Hospitals of Cleveland
1-Aug-2002

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Preclinical safety study shows adipose-derived stem cells improve heart function after heart attack
2. First clinical study of new pediatric croup vaccine shows safety, tolerability in adults
3. Innovative ceramic-on-metal hip replacements to undergo clinical trials
4. Early clinical treatment can halt progression of Alzheimers disease, UCI researchers find
5. Warren Pharmaceuticals publishes results of preclinical evaluation
6. Creation of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration will boost clinical trials in UK
7. Scientists characterize new breast tumor subtypes with poor clinical outcomes
8. Uncertainty in clinical tests raises health care costs
9. Vanderbilts John Oates wins clinical research award
10. Germany starts clinical development of a new tuberculosis vaccine
11. Heart and lung transplantation clinical trial results to be announced at ISHLT meeting