Category Archives: Female Sexual Dysfunction

A little bit more on the medicalisation of sex

By Dr Petra | Published: 13 June, 2011
TweetIt’s been a while since I’ve written about medicalisation. Which seems as good an excuse as any to revisit this issue and reflect on some of the developments in this area in healthcare, therapy and media. A few months ago I took part in the 41st Maudsley Debate entitled ‘Love is a Drug’. Ben Goldacre [...]
Also posted in Activism and Open Access, Bad science, Commercialisation, Erectile Dysfunction, Evidence based, Flibanserin, Gender, Intrinsa, Journalism, Medicalisation, Orgasm, Premature Ejaculation | Comments closed

Provisional DSM-V available for comment – add your views now!

By Dr Petra | Published: 24 May, 2011
TweetYou may remember my previous post on the revisions being made to the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Over the past few years the existing DSM (IV) has been revised and the public invited to consult on its content. The DSM covers a range of mental health issues, which other bloggers and [...]
Also posted in Activism and Open Access, Critical appraisal, Medicalisation | Comments closed

The best and worst sex (and science) stories of 2010

By Dr Petra | Published: 29 December, 2010
TweetThis year seems to have just flown by, and what a busy one it was for research and stories about sex. From philandering footballers to STI statistics we certainly got to hear a lot about relationships. Here are some of the main stories I think made up the year in media, sex and science. The [...]
Also posted in Commercialisation, Critical appraisal, Flibanserin, G spot, Health/care, Human rights/law, Politics, Pornography | Comments closed

Christmas Good Causes: for your consideration

By Dr Petra | Published: 22 December, 2010
TweetIt’s nearly Christmas and you may have already got gifts for friends and family. But if you’re still wondering what last minute goodies to buy, or can stretch to one more present, then here’s a few suggestions for charities and organisations who could do with your support. These are all programmes I feel are often [...]
Also posted in Abortion/TOP, Activism and Open Access, Contraception, Health/care, International, Medicalisation, Sex education, Sex positive, Uncategorised | Comments closed

“Women with low libidos ‘have different brains’”

By Dr Petra | Published: 29 October, 2010
Tweet * If you ever wanted to see how the media simultaneously loves and destroys stories on sex and science, this week we had a classic example of truly bad sex coverage. All based on a conference presentation that suggested low libido in women could be detected through brain scanning. I’ll move on to the [...]
Also posted in Activism and Open Access, Bad science, Flibanserin | Comments closed

FDA advisory panel rejects Flibanserin

By Dr Petra | Published: 21 June, 2010
TweetLast Friday drug company Boehringer Ingelheim presented evidence to the FDA’s advisory panel on their drug Flibanserin. This product, designed to tackle Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in women had already been given plenty of media coverage focusing on ‘Pink Viagra’, and raised concern from scientists, healthcare staff, therapists and activists. You can see a [...]
Also posted in Activism and Open Access, Commercialisation, Flibanserin | Comments closed

Is low sexual desire in women a disease? No it’s not. But drug company are seeking FDA approval for a drug to ‘cure’ women nonetheless

By Dr Petra | Published: 1 June, 2010
TweetOn June 18th pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim will be seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for their drug Flibanserin (which may be traded under the names of Ectris and/or Girosa). This is an antidepressant style drug which Boehringer Ingelheim claim is a treatment for low/lack of sexual desire in women (aka Hypoactive [...]
Also posted in Activism and Open Access, Flibanserin, Intrinsa, Medicalisation | Comments closed

“Sex, fertility and commitment: what men really think”: Times Weekend fails to fully explore psychosexual problems and infertility

By Dr Petra | Published: 1 May, 2010
TweetToday’s Times Weekend focuses on an important yet taboo issue – Infertility. ‘Sex, fertility and commitment: what men really think’ includes in depth interviews with several men about the topic. While it’s right to talk about this issue from a male perspective, there are messages within the feature that are worrying in relation to sex, [...]
Also posted in (In)fertility, Erectile Dysfunction, Orgasm | Comments closed

Am I bovvered…about not desiring sex?

By Dr Petra | Published: 22 February, 2010
A drug company has launched a new study and patient registry to measure female sexual problems. Using a five question quick checklist you can now be diagnosed as dysfunctional.
Also posted in Flibanserin, Sexual dysfunction, Surveys/questionnaires | Comments closed

American Psychiatric Association launches draft guidelines for DSM5 – consultation open til April, have your say

By Dr Petra | Published: 11 February, 2010
The DSM is the classification system used by psychiatrists and medics in the US and elsewhere to define, research and treat mental disorders. It's not without its critics and with the latest draft open for consultation you have a chance to share your views on how they aim to classify mental health.
Also posted in Critical appraisal, Medicalisation, Mental Health, Sexual dysfunction | Comments closed