From April 1998 to August 1999, 13.5 million Viagra prescriptions have been filled, according to IMS Health, which tracks prescription drug consumption worldwide. Now researchers are questioning if Viagra benefits women, too. While the medical establishment is turning its attention to women and sexual dysfunction, just how beneficial the drug is for women remains unclear. However, Viagra increases blood flow not only to the penis, but also to the clitoris. Female sexual dysfunction is far more difficult to measure and far less understood.
Women respond great to Viagra.
Nurnberg gave sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, to a few women experiencing temporary antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction. He later published his results in two journals. Viagra helped the women finish their course of medication while maintaining sexual function. However, a different study at Columbia University found that sildenafil is ineffective in women. In Berman's study, she had women watch erotic movies and use a vibrator to stimulate themselves one hour after ingesting sildenafil.