Treatment of sexual dysfunction
Compositions and methods for treating sexual dysfunction and enhancing sexual satisfaction using topical application of a therapeutic agent such as an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist to the nipple-areola complex are disclosed.
1. A method of treating female sexual dysfunction, the method comprising applying a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist topically to a nipple-areola complex of a female subject in need of such treatment, wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to increase nipple sensitivity.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is phenylephrine.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to cause erection of the nipple.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein 0.2-0.8 mg/cm2 of the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is applied.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is phenylephrine.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the female sexual dysfunction is selected from the group consisting of female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD), female orgasmic disorder (FOD) and female hypoactive sexual desire disorder (FHSDD).
7. A method of reducing or alleviating a symptom of female sexual dysfunction, the method comprising applying a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist topically to a nipple-areola complex of a female subject in need of such treatment, wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to increase nipple sensitivity.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the symptom of female sexual dysfunction is a symptom of female hypoactive sexual desire disorder (FHSDD), female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD), female orgasmic disorder (FOD) or female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD).
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the symptom of female sexual dysfunction is a symptom of female sexual interest/arousal disorder selected from the group consisting of (1) absent/reduced interest in sexual activity; (2) absent/reduced sexual/erotic thoughts or fantasies; (3) no/reduced initiation of sexual activity, and typically unreceptive to a partner's attempts to initiate; (4) absent/reduced sexual excitement/pleasure during sexual activity in almost all or all sexual encounters; (5) absent/reduced sexual interest/arousal in response to any internal or external sexual/erotic cues; and (6) absent/reduced genital or nongenital sensations during sexual activity in almost all or all sexual encounters.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is phenylephrine.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to cause erection of the nipple.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein 0.2-0.8 mg/cm2 of the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is applied.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is phenylephrine.
14. A method for enhancing sexual satisfaction in a female subject, comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist topically to a nipple-areola complex of the female subject, wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to increase nipple sensitivity.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is phenylephrine.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to cause erection of the nipple.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein 0.2-0.8 mg/cm2 of the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is applied.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is phenylephrine.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein the composition is in or on an iontophoresis patch and the patch is placed on the nipple of the female subject.
20. A method of causing erection of nipples, increasing nipple sensitivity, increasing duration of orgasm, reducing time to orgasm, and/or increasing oxytocin release related to sexual activity in a female subject comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist topically to a nipple-areola complex of the female subject, wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to increase nipple sensitivity.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is phenylephrine.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to cause erection of the nipple.
23. The method of claim 20 , wherein 0.2-0.8 mg/cm2 of the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is applied.
24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is phenylephrine.
25. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alpha 1 adrenergic receptor agonist is applied within one hour prior to a sexual activity.
26. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a premenopausal female.
27. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is oxymetazoline.
28. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is oxymetazoline and is administered in a composition comprising 0.05-5.0% by weight of oxymetazoline.
29. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is synephrine.
30. A method of treating female sexual dysfunction, the method comprising applying a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising norepinephrine topically to a nipple-areola complex of a female subject in need of such treatment, wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to increase nipple sensitivity.
31. A method of treating female nipple neuropathy, the method comprising applying a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist topically to a nipple-areola complex of a female subject in need of such treatment, wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to increase nipple sensitivity.
32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is phenylephrine.
33. The method of claim 31 , wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to cause erection of the nipple.
34. The method of claim 31 , wherein 0.2-0.8 mg/cm2 of the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is applied.
35. The method of claim 31 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is phenylephrine.
36. The method of claim 31 , wherein the alpha 1 adrenergic receptor agonist is applied within one hour prior to a sexual activity.
37. The method of claim 31 , wherein the subject is a premenopausal female.
38. The method of claim 31 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is oxymetazoline.
39. The method of claim 31 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is oxymetazoline and is administered in a composition comprising 0.05-5.0% by weight of oxymetazoline.
40. The method of claim 31 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is synephrine.
41. A method of treating female lost or reduced nipple sensitivity due to breast trauma due to injury or as a result of surgery, the method comprising applying a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist topically to a nipple-areola complex of a female subject in need of such treatment, wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to increase nipple sensitivity.
42. The method of claim 41 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is phenylephrine.
43. The method of claim 41 , wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to cause erection of the nipple.
44. The method of claim 41 , wherein 0.2-0.8 mg/cm2 of the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is applied.
45. The method of claim 41 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is phenylephrine.
46. The method of claim 41 , wherein the alpha 1 adrenergic receptor agonist is applied within one hour prior to a sexual activity.
47. The method of claim 41 , wherein the subject is a premenopausal female.
48. The method of claim 41 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is oxymetazoline.
49. The method of claim 41 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is oxymetazoline and is administered in a composition comprising 0.05-5.0% by weight of oxymetazoline.
50. The method of claim 41 , wherein the alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonist is synephrine.