Do non prescription progesterone creams work to help low libido?
Sunday, January 24th, 2010 at
11:34 am
I’m 44 and very happily married. I adore my husband and find him very hot. However, I have no sex drive. I’ve heard progesterone deficiency can cause this. I’ve done a little research and found some otc progesterone creams that have wild yam root. Does anyone have experience with this helping low libido?
Filed under: Alternative Medicine
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Are there any medicines for female loss of desire?
While it’s clear that the big pharmaceutical companies are searching for a drug that will turn women on, they have had little success.
At present, drugs are not of much relevance to the average woman who wants to pep up her libido a bit.
Far more important is to have the support and understanding of a partner who wants to help you defeat the problem – and who understands how to get you excited in bed.
Testosterone
Hormones are often suggested as a treatment for FSAD, particularly the male sex hormone testosterone.
Doctors have been trying out testosterone on women for more than 40 years, rarely with much benefit. Side-effects include hairiness, spots, a deep voice and enlargement of the clitoris.
However, there is clinical evidence to support the use of testosterone as a treatment for low sexual desire. In 2007 a testosterone skin patch called Intrinsa became available in the UK.
This patch is only licensed on the NHS for women who have had an early surgically-induced menopause. Obviously, this is quite a small number of people.
We do know that Intrinsa is being prescribed privately for other women with low libido, or hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) as it is now being termed. So far, reactions to this drug are mixed.
Suction vibrators
Inventions that are supposed to increase female desire come and go.
In 2001 a device called the EROS was approved by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating low sexual desire.
The gadget applies suction to the clitoris and so increases desire. Cost is around £200.
The EROS has made relatively little impact in the UK. Our opinion is that you could achieve much the same effect with any inexpensive suction vibrator. Currently, it is easy to buy such devices online for £20 to £30.
It is also undeniable that ordinary non-suction vibrators have helped a lot of women in the last decade.
Desire cream
A much hyped new ‘desire cream’ was also introduced in 2001. It contains an ingredient similar to wintergreen, and its effect is to produce a tingly sensation in the clitoris. It, too, has made little impact on British medical practice. There are various other similar products now available.
Pumpkin pie also does the trick.