A Peer's Perspective on Treating Patients with Anorgasmia

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This is SexMed on ReachMD.

While onsite at ReachMD’s Innovation Theater in Chicago, Illinois we spoke with Dr. David Portman, Founder and Director Emeritus of the Columbus Center for Women’s Health Research.

We asked him to weigh in on utilizing PRP injections and alprostadil topically for patients with anorgasmia. Here’s what he had to say.

Dr. Portman:
Yes, so I think that the data on the plasma injections is limited and anecdotal. I’m not sure I would go there. It seems a little aggressive and unproven to me. Alprostadil, there was some proof of concept that drug was actually looking to move into the clinic, but the sponsor has not moved forward with it. There is certainly some evidence about compounded alprostadil topically that could help. It essentially increases blood flow, which is the goal. There is a device called the Eros device which actually was FDA cleared for arousal disorder. I think it’s still available. It’s a little cumbersome. It’s tethered. There is a device that is called Fiera which is an untethered device that goes directly over the clitoris and creates gentle suction and vibration, doing somebody else’s work for the patient, which may improve blood flow. They have actually done some thermograms and showed increased blood flow in that regard. So there are some things to do, but it’s a challenging condition and can be very frustrating. And probably, I didn’t even mention one of the most challenging conditions is PGAD, which is this unwanted feeling of stimulation that is persistent genital arousal disorder, which is an incredibly disconcerting condition to a very small number of patients but has been seen in some who have used some psychotropic medications and other drugs.

I can’t recommend ISSWSH enough. I think just even going to 1 annual meeting can be real eye-opening to learn about some of the things that you mentioned, the alprostadils and these other types of options, because there’s a lot of work out there that needs to be done, but the quicker you start learning the better.

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