Sexual dysfunction, in one form or the other and in varying degrees, is common among both men and women. According to recent studies, a large percentage of all men and women encounter some sort of sexual dysfunction at some point in their lives. And as they grow older, such problems become increasingly common.

In males, sexual dysfunction may be of different types like lack of desire, failure to obtain and/or maintain an erection, and other problems like premature ejaculation and ejaculatory impotence, or the inability to ejaculate in coitus. Erectile dysfunction, however, is certainly the cause for maximum concern.

For the treatment of erectile dysfunction, three oral medications are available: sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and tadalafil (Cialis). They boost the levels of nitric oxide, thereby relaxing the blood vessels and smooth muscle in the penis. As a result, the flow of blood is increased, and erection is achieved and maintained. Whatever may be the cause of erectile dysfunction, sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil have proved themselves extremely helpful. In Europe, another drug under the brand name of Uprima (apomorphine) has hit the market, although it still awaits the approval of the U.S. FDA. Instead of increasing blood flow in the penis, apomorphine acts on the brain to enhance erection.

These drugs should not, however, be used by those who have had a heart problem during the past six months, or those with serious liver or kidney ailments, certain eye disorders, and extreme levels of blood pressure.

In females, lack of libido, failure to become aroused, lack of orgasm or anorgasmy, and vaginismus are the common sexual dysfunctions.

Although no medications have yet been approved specifically for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction, research is continuing on the subject, which includes looking into the possibility of the use of sildenafil in females.

A pharmaceutical major is now about to get the go-ahead for a testosterone patch for the treatment of low libido in postmenopausal women. Falls in testosterone levels are believed to be responsible to a large extent for lack of libido in both men and women. The proposed transdermal testosterone patch, to be marketed under the name Intrinsa, is worn on the lower abdomen. Further research will determine who should or shouldnt use the testosterone patch, and its possible side effects as well.