Women Offered Solutions For Sexual Dysfunction

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Ads have begun appearing on television and magazines about a little pill that can help with sexual dysfunction. But this one is not for men, it's for women.

Sexual dysfunction among women is very common and like with men, not often talked about.

"This is a real problem for a lot of women. Women of different ages will have this problem. They'll come in and say, I don't have a sex drive anymore," said Dr. Peter Sakovich.

Sakovich is a gynecologist in Irving who says that women are hesitant to talk about sexual dysfunction, but are relieved to find help. Sakovich notes that in many cases the problem lies with the level of testosterone in the body. Testosterone is the male sex hormone also present in women.

"Once we measure that (testosterone) we can see if they are lacking in the hormone and we can try to replace that," Sakovich said.

One way to replace the hormone is in the form of topical creams. Las Colinas pharmacist Jim Hrncir compounds a product his patients call the Scream Cream.

"The women are reordering, getting refills, so it is apparently working very well," Hrncir said.

Health food stores offer a variety of natural products, such as herbs that promise to boost the libido.

But, be warned, just because a product is labeled natural doesn't mean it's safe for all women.

And that brings us to a new product called Alvimil. Alvimil is an herbal product not subject to government scrutiny. The maker though has tested it in 80 women, 67 of whom say they had positive results.

The makers of the product say it can take up to three months for maximum effectivness and because it's so new, there is no way of knowing yet its impact on the larger population.

Hrncir suggests women approach it with caution. "I've just seen the prescription items work over and over. I've just not had good luck with patented, over the counter medication and I want them to work because it would be easy and it would be wonderful. But I just haven't found anything that I can truly say this is the answer."

But women are still looking for answers, and they hope someday to have the same easy success that men have had with Viagra.