'Female' Viagra

Meg Ryan may have best demonstrated one women's approach to sexual dysfunction in the famous deli scene in When Harry Met Sally when she spontaneously reenacted a very satisfied lady, to the shock of Billy Crystal. For women — faking it — has long been the easiest solution for sexual dysfunction. Men got Viagra five years ago, leaving their female counterparts to wonder "what about us?"Several drug companies are searching for that answer, although as of yet, there is not a single sexual enhancement drug approved by the FDA for women, just some over-the counter remedies. And the company that succeeds in getting one approved is in for a big payday. Industry projections claim 25 percent to 45 percent of women suffer some form of sexual dysfunction. Nexmed spokeswoman Vivan Liu, whose firm is among those looking to create a female Viagra, says this market could equal "multibillions" of dollars to the company with the most effective drugs. "[That's] definitely a lot of incentive," said Liu. Psychology and Biology Complicate Research The drug companies might be motivated, but they face a tougher task with the female Viagra, than the male version. Cindy Meston runs the Female Sexual Psychophysiology Lab at the University of Texas and has been studying Female Sexuality for more than a decade. She spoke with ABCNEWS and said the male Viagra was easier to develop, because "women are more complicated." At her lab, Meston is researching treatments for sexual dysfunction and recruits women ages 18 and older for the programs. Meston said in one study, the women on anxiety medications watch steamy videos, but even when they're focusing on their arousal, it's not that easy to gauge the results.

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