Tadalafil once daily: Narrative review of a treatment option for female sexual dysfunctions (FSD) in midlife and older women

Arch Ital Urol Androl. 2017 Mar 31;89(1):7-11. doi: 10.4081/aiua.2017.1.7.

Abstract

Female Sexual Disorders (FSD) include a complex, multidimensional, individual experience that can change as an individual age, suggesting that these problems are caused by multiple factors including psychosocial factors, personal relationships, pathologic changes caused by diseases, and pharmacologic influences. Menopause is an important time for middle aged women and postmenopausal physiological changes could have a significant role in the development of FSD. Few is still known about their correct definition and treatment. Their incidence, prevalence and risk factors are difficult to define because of a high level of overlap in the experience of problems with desire, arousal, and orgasm. Little evidences are known about the best therapeutic approach, and both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment options have been described. Among these, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors could be an effective option for many subtypes of female sexual disorders, with an improvement in different aspects of sexual function, such as desire, arousal, orgasm and sexual satisfaction. In this paper authors reviewed what is already known about the use of these vasoactive agents, particularly tadalafil, as a treatment option for female sexual disturbances.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Menopause
  • Middle Aged
  • Orgasm / drug effects
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / drug therapy*
  • Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / etiology
  • Tadalafil / pharmacology
  • Tadalafil / therapeutic use*
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Tadalafil