For Women, Placebo Effect Might Explain Improvement in Sexual Function
Treatments for female sexual dysfunction are “minimally superior to placebo,” according to new research in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Researchers reached this conclusion after analyzing eight medical studies on treatments for women’s sexual difficulties, including hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) and problems with arousal, sexual pain, and orgasm.
Flibanserin, ospemifene, and intravaginal prasterone were some of the treatments used.
The analysis was sparked by previous research showing a “marked” placebo effect in clinical trials of treatments for women’s sexual dysfunction.
What is a placebo effect?
When researchers test new medications or therapies, a placebo group is a key component of the study. Some of the study participants take the drug or undergo the therapy. But the rest take a placebo, such as sugar pill, instead of the tested treatment. Participants don’t know whether they are in the treatment group or the placebo group. In this way, researchers can get a better idea of whether outcomes (such as side effects or improvement of symptoms) are likely to be from the drug or from other factors.
Sometimes, people in placebo groups respond in a similar way as those in the treatment group. This is called aplacebo effect. For example, let’s imagine that Maria and Laura are taking part in a trial for a pain medication. Maria takes the drug and feels better. Laura takes the drug and feels better, too. Does that mean the drug has no effect? Not necessarily.
The force behind placebo effect is difficult to explain, but some experts think a patient’s expectations are involved. Laura, knowing that she is participating a study of pain medication, might see improvements because she expects to.
The analysis
Overall, 2,236 study participants received treatment for a sexual problem, and 1,723 received a placebo. In all the studies, the women completed the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a questionnaire designed to assess female sexual dysfunction. Higher scores on the FSFI correspond with better sexual functioning.
The women who received treatment saw their scores increase 5.35 points, which showed improvement. But the women in the placebo groups also had some improvement, with a score increase of 3.62 points.
After examining the data further, the study authors determined that for about two-thirds of the women, results might be explained by a placebo effect.
“Our findings suggest that the current treatments for female sexual dysfunction are, overall, minimally superior to placebo, which emphasizes the ongoing need for more efficacious treatment for female sexual dysfunction,” the authors wrote.
Resources
Contemporary OB/GYN
Nierengarten, Mary Beth
“What’s wrong with therapies for female sexual dysfunction?”
(August 9, 2018)
http://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/dyspareunia/whats-wrong-therapies-female-sexual-dysfunction
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Weinberger, James M. BS, et al.
“Female Sexual Dysfunction and the Placebo Effect: A Meta-analysis”
(Abstract. August 2018)
https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Citation/2018/08000/Female_Sexual_Dysfunction_and_the_Placebo_Effect_.24.aspx
WebMD
“What is the Placebo Effect?”
(Reviewed: February 28, 2018)
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-is-the-placebo-effect#1
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