Nelson Vergel
Founder, ExcelMale.com
or men, it is "Low T" -- declining testosterone levels often accompanied by low libido, a natural element of aging. Thanks to a 2006 study funded by a company that sold testosterone products, suddenly 38% of men over 45 -- some 14 million Americans -- were deemed to have it.
For women, it is hypoactive sexual desire disorder -- recently renamed female sexual interest/arousal disorder -- which critics say is a questionable medical diagnosis.
In 1999, a paper written by authors with drug industry financial ties found that 43% of women had some form of sexual dysfunction, including a lack of interest in sex.
Other drug industry-funded studies in the mid-2000s claimed some 9 million women had sexual dysfunction and were troubled by it.
Consider hypoactive sexual desire disorder and the drug flibanserin (Addyi).
After twice rejecting the drug, the FDA approved it last year over serious concerns about its safety raised by the agency's own doctors. The FDA researchers said the drug could cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure when taken with alcohol. That, in turn, could lead to women passing out.
The Addyi story has a familiar ring -- and it's not cha-ching. The financial success of Addyi is limited -- $100 million a year in sales at the most -- said Ram Selvaraju, a healthcare stock analyst and managing director with Rodman & Renshaw Research in New York.
He cited its poor effectiveness, $800 a month cost, and the fact alcohol should not be used with it.
"You want to have a glass of wine with your husband?" he said. "You can't do that."
http://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/LoweringtheBar/58903
For women, it is hypoactive sexual desire disorder -- recently renamed female sexual interest/arousal disorder -- which critics say is a questionable medical diagnosis.
In 1999, a paper written by authors with drug industry financial ties found that 43% of women had some form of sexual dysfunction, including a lack of interest in sex.
Other drug industry-funded studies in the mid-2000s claimed some 9 million women had sexual dysfunction and were troubled by it.
Consider hypoactive sexual desire disorder and the drug flibanserin (Addyi).
After twice rejecting the drug, the FDA approved it last year over serious concerns about its safety raised by the agency's own doctors. The FDA researchers said the drug could cause a dramatic drop in blood pressure when taken with alcohol. That, in turn, could lead to women passing out.
The Addyi story has a familiar ring -- and it's not cha-ching. The financial success of Addyi is limited -- $100 million a year in sales at the most -- said Ram Selvaraju, a healthcare stock analyst and managing director with Rodman & Renshaw Research in New York.
He cited its poor effectiveness, $800 a month cost, and the fact alcohol should not be used with it.
"You want to have a glass of wine with your husband?" he said. "You can't do that."
http://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/LoweringtheBar/58903
