Systematic review and meta-analysis of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Clinical studies evaluating the effectiveness and safety of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5is) for female sexual dysfunction have reported conflicting results.
OBJECTIVES: To systematically review evidence from studies comparing PDE5is with placebo in the treatment of female sexual dysfunction.
SEARCH STRATEGY: Searches of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase databases were performed using the MeSH terms "females/female/women", "sexual", and "sildenafil/tadalafil/vardenafil/PDE5/PDE5i".
SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomized controlled trials, available in English, published no later than January 28, 2015 comparing the effectiveness of PDE5is, or PDE5is in combination with other agents, with placebo in improving female sexual function were included.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The inclusion criteria were met by 14 studies, which were analyzed by two reviewers.
MAIN RESULTS: The randomized controlled trials included in the present study adopted different questionnaires for measuring sexual function; consequently, most of the data had to be considered separately rather than pooled. Generally, the use of PDE5is resulted in significant improvements in sexual function compared with placebo, with some studies demonstrating negative results. Pooled data regarding adverse events demonstrated significantly higher rates of headache, flushing, and changes in vision in PDE5i-treated patients.
CONCLUSIONS: PDE5is could be an effective treatment modality for female…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid.
Read the paper
Related studies
- 2024 update in heart failure
- Vascular involvement in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- A novel technique- subendometrial autologous platelet rich plasma injection in patients with unresponsive thin endometrium undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer: a prospective cohort study
- Does metformin prolong pregnancy in preterm pre-eclampsia? A study protocol for a South African, hospital-based double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
- Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema (CPFE): A "New" Smoking-Related Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
- Impact of an acute 1-month cannabidiol treatment on pain and inflammation after a long bone fracture: a triple-blind randomised, placebo-controlled, clinical trial protocol
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.