Intrinsa is manufactured by Procter & Gamble and has great chances to become
a new treatment for sexual dysfunction in the near future. It is presented as
transdermal patch transmitting testosterone, applied to the abdomen. The patch
is said to compensate the low levels of testosterone produced naturally by the
ovaries and the adrenal glands. Most specialists associate the lack of sexual
desire with the low levels of testosterone in a woman's body. This is more obvious
in female subjects who experienced ovary removing surgery, for instance.
The patch form was chosen by the manufacturer of Intrinsa in order to reduce
the unpleasant downsides included by a testosterone pill, such as excessive
body hair and liver disorders.
Unlike male ED, which is generally physical, FSD can't be that easily treated
with just one pill. Female's care for setting, romance and implications cannot
be solved with any drug, but rather by means of a good couple communication
or even professional psychological help. This is one of the arguments brought
by some specialists in their speech against hormonal therapy. In addition, women
should not expect from a hormone patch, what men achieved with Viagra, because
testosterone therapy becomes effective only after several weeks or months of
treatment. Most importantly, however, female patients should also remember that
reputed professors studying the effects of estrogen and progestin therapy revealed
two years ago that the risk of cancer is significantly increased in hormone
therapy, while benefits are only few. Hormone therapy is recommended by specialists
nowadays only in cases of serious menopausal symptomatology.
Intrinsa was presented to the FDA Committee as a skin patch destined to women
with removed ovaries and, consequently, low sexual appetite. It is known, however,
that once a pharmaceutical product is approved by the FDA, doctors may prescribe
it in any condition they consider it useful. In other words, P&G's managers
aim at this moment to receive the FDA's grant for releasing Intrinsa, but they
surely will enlarge Intrinsa's target in all distressed women once released.
Marketing studies conducted so far have optimistic results for Procter&Gamble.
Apparently women are already awaiting Intrinsa's release. The most commonly
reported female complaint when seeing a doctor is increased or disordered sex
drive. Anorgasmia is suspected to be the ruling form of sexual dysfunction.
If Intrinsa will prove effective in treating all these crucial sexual deficiencies,
the female market will definitely receive it with wide open arms and make it
a top seller medication. However spectacular the success may seem, if approved,
Intrinsa requires lots of hard work and investments, just like Viagra needed
back in 1998. In order to receive the Food and Drug Administration's grant for
releasing Intrinsa, Procter&Gamble must take several years of solid marketing,
patience and money. And to all that adds a drop of luck which may determine
if Intrinsa will be the new blockbuster selling therapy or a failed investment.
