Viagra Benefits Women on Antidepressants: Study

Effects are limited; finding stirs debate over cause of sexual issues
By Sam Biddle,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 23, 2008 12:30 PM CDT
Viagra Benefits Women on Antidepressants: Study
Viagra increases sexual performance in women suffering from the effects of antidepressant medications, according to a recent study.   (Getty Images)

Viagra increases sexual performance in women suffering from arousal problems as a result of antidepressant drugs, a study finds. Some 72% of the women in the small study—funded by Pfizer, which makes the pill that has become a blockbuster for men seeking improved sexual function—noted an improvement, compared with 27% of those given a placebo, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The women in the study were all diagnosed with major depression and were suffering from sexual side effects as a result of certain drugs they were taking. Sexual dysfunction has long been seen as a biological issue in men but a psychological one in women, and the new finding seems likely to stir that debate. (More Viagra stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X