Cross-sectional and cohort analyses of sexual response and T values are inconclusive. Either there is no correlativity between T levels and sexual variables correlativity with estradiol levels but not T, or a correlation of free-T with levels of sexual desire. There have been some short-term randomized controlled studies of T administration to women complaining of diminished sexual interest and satisfaction. An amended outcome has been found by most but not all of these trials, but the T levels produced were not clearly within the physiological range. The study with levels closest to the physiological was of oophorized women, and showed benefit only in older women receiving 300 mg/day of transdermal T, with correlated blood levels at or slightly above the normal range for premenopausal women. Of note, the correct range for postmenopausal women is unclear. A very recent study of T administration to premenopausal women did show gain over placebo, but the free androgen index was above the upper limit for normal premenopausal women. Of major importance is the fact that these analyses have been only of short duration, and, therefore, safety data are very limited. Moreover, only estrogen replete women have been studied.
Despite documented progressive loss of DHEA and DHEAS in women from late 30s onwards, the results of DHEA supplementation to improve sexual health have been conflicting.
The term androgen deficiency syndrome has been used recently. Still, the usual criteria practiced in endocrinology for establishment of a deficiency state have not been met. These include:
1. Symptoms regularly associated with low levels of the hormone;
2. Relationship of symptoms to the established biological actions of the hormone;
3. Reversal of symptoms on administration of the hormone in doses which are physiological and not pharmacological.
None of these criteria is fully met in the case of androgen deficiency syndrome . In addition, a specific level of testosterone in women, which can be considered diagnostic of androgen deficiency, has not been established.
Some of this confusedness may be in part owing to problems in evaluating T, including a deficiency of assay specificity. Free-T is preferably measured by balance dialysis, but this is rarely available in clinical practice. Free-T correlates more closely with the biological effects of the hormone than does the total because most of the circulating T is bound to SHBG which prevents diffusion into tissues. Regrettably, the analog attempts for free-T are inaccurate. Free-T can be calculated if the total T, albumin, and SHBG are known. Still, at the low levels of T discovered in women, few assays of total T are reliable. Whichever assay is used, thorough validation is necessary. Another major complicating factor is that much T activity within the cell is derived 52 Basson intracellularly from ovarian adrenal precursors. This intracellular T cannot be measured. Calculating T activity from evaluating testosterone metabolites is not yet standardized.
There is clearly a clinical dilemma. Clinicians repeatedly see previously responsive women markedly distressed from their lost arousability none of their formerly useful stimuli are effectual. Typically, this is of gradual onset in the late 40s or early 50s. Loss of innate sexual thoughts and fantasies is not the issue. The context of their sexual lives has not altered they speak of a sexual deadness . Accurate measures of T activity and long-term randomized controlled trials of physiological T therapy are very much needed. Clearly, this loss of arousability appertains to just a subgroup of mid-life women perhaps partially explaining the inconsistencies amongst reports of T levels of women in mid-life and older in the general population.
The free-T can be reduced by about 50% by many oral contraceptive pills and by administration of glucocorticoids. There has been little research in these areas that is helpful to clinicians.
The risks of T administration include those that are familiar, for example, greater sebum production, acne, loss of scalp hair, stimulation of facial and other body hair, as well as other potential risks including metabolic disfunction in some women. This is based on the fact that although in the condition of polycystic ovarian syndrome, it appears that hyperinsulinemia is usually the cause of the hyperandrogenism, there are some reports of situations in which hyperandrogenism causes insulin resistance. There is also a risk that other concerns will come to light if women are given testosterone when estrogen deficient, in view of the recent withdrawal of large numbers of women from estrogen therapy owing to the outcomes of the women's health initiative study.
About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a men reproductive health company known as Male Enhancement Group which is dedicated to researching and comparing male enhancement products in order to determine which male enhancement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2010 David Crawford of male orgasmic disorder This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Your Health-Building Program
Saturday, June 26, 2010
A Closer Look at the Biological Basis of Women s Sexual Desire and Arousability Part 2
Thursday, June 24, 2010
A Closer Look at the Biological Basis of Women s Sexual Desire and Arousability Part 1
The neuroendocrine basis of sexual interest is poorly understood. The consequences on sexuality of medications with known or partly identified mechanisms of action suggest that more than 30 neurotransmitters, peptides, and hormones are embedded in the sexual reaction. Currently, the most clinically profound include noradrenaline, dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin via 5HT1A and 5HT2C receptors all considered to be prosexual. Serotonin acting via most 5HT receptor sites, prolactin, and GABA, are considered sexually negative. The role of dopamine has been inquired especially in rodents. Dopaminergic input from the ventral tegmental area, particularly to the nucleus accumbens and forebrain is significant for cognitive and advantage processes. Dopamine administration into the nuclear accumbens has been found to stimulate the anticipatory phase (or appetitive phase) of a sexual activity. The paraventricular nucleus and the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus regulate the anticipatory/motivational phases of rat copulation as well as the physiological changes of genital engorgement. Introducing a male hamster increases the dopamine in the nucleus accumbens in the female hamster along with her raised sexual activity. Even in animals, the outcomes of experience can be seen there is more 50 Basson dopamine accumulation and for a longer time period in female hamsters that are sexually experienced than in those who are sexually naive. In oophorized female hamsters, progesterone administration after estrogen priming leads to enhanced numbers of sex hormone receptors in the medial preoptic area. Interestingly, dopamine administration has the same effect as does environmental change namely the presence of a male hamster.
Brain imaging of women during sexual arousal evidences activation of areas involved in cognitive appraisal of the stimuli, namely the orbital frontal and anterior cingulate areas, and other areas involved in the emotional reaction to arousal including the rostral anterior cingulate. The latter and the posterior hypothalamus also imaged, are involved in the organization and perception of genital physiological reactions. Of interest, areas in the basal ganglia and temporal lobes that had shown activity in the nonsexually aroused state are no longer imaged during arousal, suggesting that they are involved in stimulating inhibition.
Hormones can be measured during the sexual reaction, but these determinations may contemplate the outcome of sexual response rather than cause (e.g., oxytocin increases with arousal and prolactin increases after orgasm).
Estrogen is acknowledged to affect mood and sleep and so its essential action may indirectly influence sexual response. That postmenopausal estrogen therapy causes improvement in well being, sleep, and vasomotor symptoms, is demonstrate based, but there are few scientific data to suggest that sexual benefit is afforded by relief of these particular symptoms. The role of androgen in women's sexual desire and arousability is currently under investigation. Although there is consensus that androgens are needed for sexual response, scientific study of androgen therapy with physiological amounts of androgen is only just beginning. It is also confusing whether the aromatization of testosterone to estradiol within the cell is essential, or whether instead or in addition, activation of the androgen receptor is necessary. Areas of high density androgen receptors in women's brains also have high aromatase activity. Thus, the whole question of whether any benefit of testosterone administration to women is actually due to getting estrogen more available (by decreasing SHBG) continues unsolved. The major androgens include the proandrogens, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, plus testosterone (T), and dehydrotestosterone (DHT). Output of adrenal androgen falls from the early 30s forward. Ovarian androstenedione is systematically reduced in mid- and later life. Studies are less conclusive regarding ovarian T production after natural menopause, with evidence of both decreased and raised production. Two recent small studies have shown a gradual decrease of T in women through their 40s with loss of mid-cycle peaks of T and androstenedione. Studies across the menopause transition demonstrate either a minimal decrease or even an increase. Contempt further reduction in adrenal androgen, in some women there may be enhanced production of ovarian T through the next two decades. On the other hand, some women show very low levels of ovarian production given the T levels in a large group of older women, after natural or surgical menopause were similar. Both of these groups of women were getting estrogen therapy.
About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a guaranteed penis enlargement company known as Male Enhancement Group which is dedicated to researching and comparing male enhancement products in order to determine which male enhancement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2010 David Crawford of guide to penis enlargement This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Treatment of Sexual Disorders - Evolution of Current Treatment Approaches
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Sexual Dysfunction - Partner Issues
Although CME courses commended that patient partner physician duologue was best enhanced through patient partner education during joint visits, there was anecdotal evidence that physicians were not on a regular basis meeting with partners of sexual dysfunction patients. This author undertook a 2002 Internet survey of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, member's apply models. These urologists are all sub-specialists in sexual medicine in general, and erectile dysfunction in particular. Although methodologically limited, the results were concerning. The data pointed to a large disparity between urologist position and actual practice. An overwhelming 79% of the responding urologists considered partner cooperation with erectile dysfunction treatment essential, no matter of whether the partner actually attended sessions or not? However, only 39% of the responding urologists saw only one partner or less in their last five erectile dysfunction patient's office visits. Nor was there any contact by phone, e-mail, or other means between doctor and partners for 90% of the responding urologists, contempt the vast majority of patients were married or coupled. However, there were good reasons for not having a conjoint visit, as long as the importance of partner issues in handling success was understood. Indeed, many urologists pondered thoughtfully on the effect of the treater to not invade the privacy beyond what was freely accepted by the patient. Urologists identified that the men saw erectile dysfunction as their problem, and were not interested in involving their partner. These urologists gently encouraged partner attendance, but suitably did not require it. So why are pharmaceutical erectile dysfunction treatments so impelling? Does this data suggest that partner outcomes do not impact outcome? No, but it does support the thesis that partner cooperation is even more significant than partner attendance. Why are many physicians successful even when not seeing partners? Sex pharmaceuticals with sex counseling and education work for many people, if the partner was cooperative in the first place. Fortunately, many partners of both men and women are cooperative, which partly reports for the high success rates of medical and surgical interventions. Indeed, most of the cooperation goes undiscovered. The cooperation is assumed based on post hoc knowledge of success. Importantly, many women were cooperating with their partners, or facilitating sexual activity, independent of their knowledge of the use of a sexual aid or pharmaceutical. In other words, serendipitous matching of sexual pharmaceutical and previous sexual script equaled success: we did, what we used to do, and it worked.
The existence of large numbers of cooperative, supporting women who themselves have partners with low to severe erectile dysfunction account for much of the success of many erectile dysfunction patients who see their physicians alone, for evaluation and accompanying pharmacotherapy. Many of these partners were never seen by the treating physician, nor was their attendance necessary for success. This is potential to be true for other male and female dysfunctions as well, depending on the degree of psychosocial barriers to success. Obviously, the most pleasant, supportive, cooperative partners would rarely be discouraged from attending office visits with any patient. Ironically, these same patients would probably have successful outcomes even if their partners never attended an office visit. Still, good becomes better by measuring, understanding, and incorporating key partner issues into the treatment process.
The patient partner clinician dialogue is best enhanced through patient partner education. Partner attendance during the office visit would allow for such education. Nevertheless, many clinicians do not on a regular basis meet with partners of sexual dysfunction patients. Although working with couples was often recommended: sometimes there was no partner; sometimes the current sexual partner was not the spouse, raising legal, social, and moral sequella. The reality and cost/benefit of partner involvement is a established result for both the couple and the clinician, and not always a expression of resistance. Finally, the patient's want for his partner's attendance may be satisfied by a variety of intrapsychic and interpersonal constituents, which, at to the lowest degree initially, must be valued and listened.
There are other resolutions. When rating or follow-up reveals profound relationship issues, counseling the individual alone may help, but interacting with the partner will frequently increase success rates. If the partner declines to attend, or the patient is unwilling or reluctant to encourage them; seek contact with the partner by telephone. Ask to be called, or for permission to call the partner. Most partners determine it tough to resist speaking just once, about likely goals or what's wrong with their spouse. The contact supplies opportunity for empathy and likely involvement in the treatment process, which may minimise resistance and improve further outcome. This effectual approach could be changed depending on the clinician's interest and time constraints. Clinicians should counsel partners when required and possible. They need to be a resource in treating with medication, counseling, and educational materials. Education needs to be a bigger part of sexual dysfunction practice, whether offered within a physician's practice or externally by other competent healthcare professionals. Success rates can be raised through patient partner clinician education, which will reduce the oftenness of disobedience and partner opposition, and lower symptomatic relapse. Organic and psychological factors causing sexual dysfunction, and noncompliance with treatment, are on a multi-layered continuum. Although some partners will require direct professional intervention, many others could benefit from getting critical information from the sexual dysfunction patient and multiple media formats both private and public.
About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a premature ejculation company known as Male Enhancement Group which is dedicated to researching and comparing male enhancement products in order to determine which male enhancement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2010 David Crawford of impotence cures This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Patient Preference, Sexual Scripts, and Pharmaceutical Choice
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Sexual Dysfunction - Partner Issues
Cooperation vs. Attendance
Mild immediate reasons of sexual dysfunction are often subject to brief counseling in the physician's office. Yet the most standard mid-level relationship reasons may present considerable difficulty for the nonpsychiatric physician treating sexual dysfunction within the context of a typically brief office visit. How might this challenge be met? The complexness of this conundrum can be reduced or answered. The physician s challenge is not inevitably asking an office visit with the partner, as many CME programs have recommended. Rather, the emphasis should be on assessing the level of partner cooperation and support. Since Masters and Johnson, sex therapists have recognized that sexual dysfunction is a couples problem, not just the identified patient's problem. Still, almost equally long ago, this author and others noted that the key partner treatment issue was supportive cooperation, independent of actual attendance during the office visit. Generally speaking, encourage partner attending with committed couples, allowing appraisal and counseling for both. Still, the issue is never forced. Handling format is a psychotherapeutic issue and rapport is never undermined. Although conjoint consultation is a good policy, it is not constantly the right choice! A man or woman in a new dating is probably better-off seeing the physician alone, than stressing a new relationship by insisting on a conjoint visit.
About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a permanent penis enlargement company known as Male Enhancement Group which is dedicated to researching and comparing male enhancement products in order to determine which male enhancement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2010 David Crawford of premature ejculation This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Patient Preference, Sexual Scripts, and Pharmaceutical Choice
Owing to multiple factors including the system of health care delivery, attitudinal beliefs, and pharmaceutical advertising; the majority of patients suffering from erectile dysfunction (when they do seek treatment) are probably to refer their PCP or a nonpsychiatric physician specialist. Although a few select physicians (primarily multiskilled psychiatrists) will render sexual counseling as an individual modality when proper, most nonpsychiatric physicians will initiate treatment with a PDE-5 no matter of etiology. All three PDE-5s are utilized worldwide and are now FDA approved in the USA. All have good success rates! Simple cases do respond well to oral agents, with particular advice on pill practice, expectation management, and a cooperative sex partner. Still, physicians should offer patients choices, particularly those who are pharmaceutically naive. Providing an unbiased, fair-balanced description of handling options, including pharmaceutical benefits on the basis of the pharmacokinetics, efficacy studies, and the physician's own patients experience will outcome in the patient attributing better importance to the physician's opinion. Integrating patient preference offers significant guidance and will enhance patient relations, minimise PSOs, and improve compliance. Preliminary comparator data, abstracted from the 2003 European Society of Sexual Medicine, advised, patient preferences pondered, key marketing messages of the respective pharmaceutical companies. Prescribing physicians might take advantage of that speculation to increase efficaciousness. If safety and long-term side results are the essential concern, sildenafil has the oldest database. If, urged by questions regarding hardness of erection; in vitro selectivity may or may not translate to clinical reality, yet some patients believe vardenafil provides the best quality erection with the least side-effect. What is the physician s experience with their own patients?
By taking a sex history and judging the premorbid sexual script (what used to work sexually), a skillful clinician may make an educated guess, as to which pharmaceutical to first prescribe. This transcends, try it, you ll like it. Knowledge of pharmacokinetics (onset, duration of action, etc.) and sexual script analysis aids optimize treatment, by improving probability of initially choosing the right prescription. Many physicians initiated treatment with sildenafil and will preserve to do so. Yet, psychosocial factors and previous sexual scripts, may intimate a different drug on the basis of pharmacokinetic profile. Partner issues help mark correct pharmaceutical selection on the basis of analysis of the couple's premorbid sexual script and relationship dynamics. Understanding the couples sexual script can help the physician fine tune pharmaceutical selection, leading to better orgasm and sexual satisfaction, not merely improved erection. Sexual script in this situation refers to style and process of the couple s premorbid sex life. For those fortunate enough to have had a good premorbid sex-life, dosing instructions should focus on returning to previously thriving sexual scripts as if medicinal drug was not a necessary part of the process. This maximizes patient likeliness of getting adequate stimulant in a manner likely to be prosperous and conducive to partner sensitivities. Awareness of within individual differences betters the quality of recommendations made for that person or couple's sexual recovery. Deviations between individuals in sexual style (sex script analysis) can mark which medicinal drug might be used by a couple in effect, with less change involved in their normal sexual interactions. For example, some couples mutually presume that the man is in charge and should originate and seduce like he used to. As he is planning the sexual encounter, sildenafil or vardenafil might be good options. Nevertheless, tadalafil may be preferable, if a more spontaneous reaction to an externally evoked situation is preferred.
Fitting the right medication on the basis of pharmacokinetics to the couple will increase efficacy, gratification, conformity, and improve continuation rates. Instead than modifying the couples sexual style to fit the treatment, try to fit the right medication to the couple. A sensitive clinician may be influenced to help a relationship of greater egalitarian and psychological balance. However, a symbiotic relationship with decades of history must be respected. For the most part, clients are searching restoration of sexual function not a Perelman make over, defined and reflecting a politically proper professional bias. Success requires consumer sensibility. For instance a rejection sensitive woman may function as the couple's sexual gatekeeper, yet may never originate sex. She may require him to respond to explicit triggers or her implicit initiations through signs of sexual receptivity (leg touching in bed, a subtle caress). The astute clinician might ask Couldn't these only be signs of partner affection and not subtle sexual initiation? Yes. Still, for such a women, his willingness and ability to be sexual, is intimate positively even if she declines sex. She needs to feel both supported and in control. They agree that she is the gatekeeper and she may promote sexuality, or limit the process to affection. However, his initiation is an essential aspect of their sexual script and relationship balance. By serving as a source of affirmation for her, it reduces the noxious (toxic) manifestations of her insecurity and rejection sensibility. They both expect that she will refuse some initiations. Nevertheless, if he is only willing and able to initiate once dosed, then sildenafil or vardenafil is a poorer choice. For their relationship, multiple initiations are required, and predosing with longer acting tadalafil may be a better choice. Harmony will be restored and satisfaction will increase. Two to three doses of tadalafil weekly, for a month, might be usable for such men who are essentially on-call in order to initially facilitate their capacity. As confidence and capacity amends and predictability increases, dosing could be titrated down or the pharmaceutical even ablactate away. If the previous sex script was weekend sex, then a Friday night dose may be enough. If he has become resistant to her controlling domination, then a referral for couples counseling would be appropriate. Although the proposition of referral may be sufficient to compel him to try the drug, given the reaction many men have to MHPs. The physician simply makes an educated speculation regarding pharmaceutical option. Follow-up may suggest greater PSO complexity. Then, the case would be better managed utilising a multidisciplinary incorporate approach, with a sex therapist working collaboratively with the prescribing physician.
About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a Male Enhancement Pills company known as Male Enhancement Group which is dedicated to researching and comparing male enhancement products in order to determine which male enhancement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2010 David Crawford of Male Enhancement Reviews This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.