Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions
New drug improves sex drive, at least on paper
Key clinical point: Bremelanotide increased sexual desire and reduced sex-associated distress.
Major finding: Bremelanotide improved sexual desire (effect size, 0.39).
Study details: Two randomized, controlled trials (n = 1,267) and an open-label extension study (n = 272).
Disclosures: The study authors have a wide range of financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
Treatment with bremelanotide demonstrated increases in sexual satisfaction questionnaire scores, but it is challenging to translate these into clinical terms. The results indicate that sex is more satisfying in the treatment arm, but there is no evidence of an increase in the number of sexual events.
But the drug appears safe and offers a second option for women experiencing this concern.
Sandra Ann Carson, MD is in the departments of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences, and reproductive endocrinology and infertility, at Yale University, New Haven, Conn. She made these comments in an editorial accompanying the articles by Kingsburg et al. and Simon et al. (Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Nov 134;[5]:897-8). Dr. Carson said she had no financial conflicts.