Eros Therapy Effective in Treating Female Sexual Dysfunction Clinical Study Reveals

ST. PAUL, MINN. — (June 2, 2001) — The Eros™ Therapy resulted in improved sensation, lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction in women diagnosed with Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD), according to a study completed in October 2000 and published in the May Journal of Gender Specific Medicine. The study was sponsored by Eros therapy manufacturer Nugyn, Inc.

Eros therapy is a non-invasive treatment designed to increase blood flow to the genital area and, over time, stimulate arousal and orgasms. Through a small cup that fits over the clitoris, a gentle vacuum increases the blood flow causing the arteries to expand, and as a result, put pressure on the nerves that cause sensation to the clitoris.

Of the women in the study with complaints of FSD who used Eros therapy, 80 percent reported increased satisfaction sensation; 70 percent reported increased lubrication; 60 percent reported an increased ability to achieve orgasm and 90 percent reported increased sexual satisfaction.

Interestingly, Eros therapy had beneficial effects for the subjects not diagnosed with FSD who reported similar improvements in sensation, lubrication, orgasm and sexual satisfaction.

There were no adverse side effects to using Eros therapy reported by study participants.

These results reflect similar findings from earlier clinical trials of Eros therapy.

Dr. Steven K. Wilson, clinical professor of urology, University of Arkansas, Van Buren, Ark.; and Dr. John R. Delk II, Southwest Impotence Center, Van Buren, Ark.; and Dr. Kevin Billups, clinical assistant professor, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, conducted the study over a six-week period.

“We believe this study supports the idea that increasing blood flow to the clitoris can help generate a healthy sexual response ,” said Dr. Billups. “This was particularly evident when even women without signs of sexual dysfunction experienced improvements in sexual satisfaction after blood flow was increased.”

Data from the study also indicated that patients with FSD who were also post-menopausal reported much greater improvement in orgasm response than pre-menopausal women. Sixty-four percent of post-menopausal women reported improved ability to achieve orgasm, compared with 44 percent of pre-menopausal women.

FSD, a disease recognized by the National Institutes of Health, affects more than 43 percent of American women to some degree. Physiological causes of FSD can result from inadequate blood flow to the genital area resulting in reduced clitoral sensitivity or numbness, a lack of lubrication, difficulty or inability to achieve an orgasm and lowered overall sexual satisfaction. Medication side effects, including anti-depressants and some blood pressure medications, can reduce sexual desire. Other risk factors for FSD include trauma to the pelvic area, smoking, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, menopause or surgery.

Psychological causes of FSD include low self-esteem or body image or a history of physical or psychological abuse.

In April 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted market clearance for Eros therapy. Currently, the Eros therapy device is only FDA cleared-to-market, non-pharmacologic therapy therapy to treat FSD patients with female sexual arousal and orgasmic disorders including decreased clitoral and genital sensitivity, lack of vaginal lubrication, inability to achieve orgasm, and decreased overall sexual satisfaction. The Eros therapy device is a safe home treatment. It is available by prescription in the United States, and sold through distributors outside the United States.

“With so many women affected by FSD, we’re pleased that further studies demonstrate the success of the Eros therapy device and give physicians a treatment option for their patients,” Dr. Billups said.

Additional clinical studies on the effectiveness of Eros therapy are underway that focus on women with cervical cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and post-menopausal women. These groups of women are may be predisposed to experiencing arousal symptoms of FSD resulting from insufficient blood flow to the clitoris and genital area.