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A drug that failed to fight the blues could be the female answer to Viagra, says the lead North American investigator analysing tests of the drug.

The original article can be found at: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/wellbeing/antidepressant-could-be-female-viagra-20091118-ilu4.html

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Unfortunately this story is an example of disease-mongering at its worst. Hyposexual sexual desire disorder is a very controversial condition. Understanding of female sexual arousal is poor and at present the definition requires physical causes and partnership problems to have been excluded. Reported rates vary from 9-26%..

The story fails to mention that the "statistically significant' increase in satisfying sexual events was 0.8 events in 4 weeks. Side effects of this class of drugs could be significant and were not well covered in this story. Reported on were fatigue and dizziness but drugs of this type with known effects on sexual function also have been reported to cause over-eating and compulsive gambling, and one drug was withdrawn for causing heart valve problems.

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