Nearly two-thirds of women polled believe it's inappropriate that the score is 24-0 when it comes to federal approval of treatments for desire, arousal or orgasm dysfunction in men vs. women

WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Almost two-thirds of American women believe that society places a greater emphasis on addressing men's sexual satisfaction than on women's – an opinion underscored by the fact that 24 drugs have received federal approval to treat male sexual dysfunctions, compared with zero to address the most common form of female sexual dysfunction, according to the results of a new national survey released today.

The poll, commissioned by the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health and conducted by Public Policy Polling, surveyed 571 women on their opinions regarding societal attitudes towards men's and women's sexual satisfaction, and the options available to both genders to address these conditions.

Fifty-nine percent of American women believe that society places more emphasis on men's sexual satisfaction than on women's, and an equal percentage say that it is inappropriate that there are 24 drugs approved to treat male sexual dysfunctions, compared with zero to address the most common form of female sexual dysfunction. In addition, 54 percent of respondents say that drug treatments for women should not be held to stricter standards for approval than men's sexual health drugs.

"By a 59-27 margin, women think that it's not appropriate that there are 24 drugs approved to treat male sexual dysfunctions while there are zero for the most common form of female sexual dysfunction. This view is shared among women of all political parties, with 61 percent of Democrats, 55 percent of Republicans and 60 percent of Independents all agreeing the discrepancy is inappropriate," said Jim Williams of Public Policy Polling.

In America, 43 percent of women have sexual dysfunction, compared with 31 percent of men, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. One in three experience low sexual desire, while one in 10 have experienced low sexual desire with distress – a condition known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD).

The poll results come as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering an appeal of its rejection late last year of an HSDD drug called flibanserin, which experts have said shows promising clinical benefits and manageable side effects after trials of more than 11,000 subjects. Seventy-four percent of American women believe that women can discuss the risks and benefits of medical treatments like these with their health care providers as easily as men, according to the survey results.

"American women see clearly the gender inequity in our country when it comes to the level of importance society places on male vs. female sexual satisfaction – and, as a result, the lack of options women have available for treating sexual dysfunction compared with men," said Irwin Goldstein, Secretary of ISSWSH. "Some 16 million American women are impacted by sexual dysfunction and, all too often, their voices are not heard. That must change. Although not all treatments will work equally for everyone, women deserve to have a variety of options available, and we call on all stakeholders – including government regulators – to move the bar of available therapies forward."

The goals of ISSWSH are to provide opportunities for communication among scholars, researchers, and practitioners about women's sexual function and sexual experience; to support the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in research, education and clinical practice of women's sexuality; and to provide the public with accurate information about women's sexuality and sexual health. To help raise awareness of the rights of women to have treatment options for sexual dysfunction, ISSWSH developed the WISH statement, Women's Initiative in Sexual Health, a petition that may be accessed at https://www.yourvoiceyourwish.com/.  

About the survey:
The PPP survey of 571 women was conducted Jan. 20-21, 2014, with a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percent. The five question survey and its responses are below:

Q1. Do you agree or disagree that medical treatment options for conditions that uniquely affect women often lag decades behind those for men?

Agree .............................................................. 48%

Disagree ......................................................... 31%

Not sure .......................................................... 21%

Q2. Do you think that society places more emphasis on men's sexual satisfaction than women's sexual satisfaction, or not?

Think society does .......................................... 59%

Think society does not .................................... 30%

Not sure .......................................................... 11%

Q3. Do you think it's appropriate that there are 24 drugs approved to treat male sexual dysfunctions while there are zero for the most common form of female sexual dysfunction, or not?

Think it's appropriate....................................... 27%

Think it's not appropriate................................. 59%

Not sure .......................................................... 15%

Q4. Do you think that drug treatments for women's sexual health should be held to stricter standards for approval than men's sexual health drugs, or not?

Think they should............................................ 31%

Think they should not...................................... 54%

Not sure .......................................................... 15%

Q5. Do you believe that women can discuss the risks and benefits of medical treatments with their healthcare providers as easily as men, or not?

Think women can............................................ 74%

Think they cannot ........................................... 17%

Not sure .......................................................... 9%

CONTACT:
Jessica Borchert, 202.331.0233
[email protected]

SOURCE International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health