What Does Metastatic Breast Cancer Mean to Your Sexuality?

As an educator, sexual medicine gynecologist, and counselor, I knew what I wanted to say, but words couldn’t translate into pen and paper. As I pondered the concept of breast cancer sexuality in the face of metastatic disease, it was apparent that this blog would be dedicated to women who were personally close to me — my grandmothers Rose, Tutu, and great aunt Oldie — …

Reader Q&A: No Libido Treatment Studies on Breast Cancer Patients?

For this month’s column we wanted to address some important questions from readers. With the approval of flibanserin (brand name: Addyi), many questions have arisen concerning sexuality research, sexual desire, and cancer treatment. In addition, some women are asking about sexual desire after breast cancer treatment and possible time to resolution of symptoms.

Why have there not been studies done on breast cancer patients to …

Flibanserin for Low Desire Has Been FDA-Approved for Premenopausal Women

On August 18, 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved flibanserin: the first and only medication for the treatment of distressing low desire or Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women.

What is HSDD?

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) is a medical condition recognized since 1977. It’s the most common form of female sexual dysfunction. HSDD is defined as the persistent loss …

Flibanserin May Finally Be Approved for Help With Libido!

As you know, at the time of last month’s blog publication, I was in Washington D.C. attending the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Committee on the drug flibanserin. Studies have demonstrated that flibanserin can increase sexually satisfying events and decrease the distress associated with low desire.

The world was watching as hundreds of sexual medicine experts descended on Washington to witness history. Would the …

We Hear Your Frustration With Low Libido and Vaginal Dryness!

We know that reclaiming your sexual self after a breast cancer diagnosis can be incredibly challenging. It doesn’t help that there are no approved drugs for lowered libido (sexual desire) in women, and while there are many treatments approved for vaginal dryness, none have been approved specifically for women who’ve had breast cancer. And many vaginal dryness treatments carry warnings and precautions for women who’ve …