Antidepressant Bupropion Could Treat Female Sex Problems

The small study of 232 female volunteers was divided into two different groups. One of the groups was given bupropion and the other group a placebo tablet over a twelve week timeframe. When the results were analyzed using a sexual function questionnaire it was clear that those women given the bupropion scored significantly better than those given the placebo. In fact the researchers said the sexual function scores of those women given the bupropion were twice as high.

All of the women taking part in the study had being diagnosed as suffering from female sexual dysfunction and had not been diagnosed with depression or any other serious health conditions. Dr. Mohammad Reza Safarinejad from the explained that while the study was small the results were significant and that more research to properly understand how bupropion could treat female sexual dysfunction should be done.

At the beginning of the study the average female sexual function score of the volunteers was under 16 which is significantly lower than the average normal score for healthy women in a stable relationship at 33.6. By the end of the study those women taking the placebo tablets had only a very slight increase to 16.9, whereas those taking the bupropion saw a massive increase to 33.9 which is slightly over the normal average and especially impressive considering that the women had previously been suffering from female sexual dysfunction.

The researchers are not exactly sure why bupropion improves female sexual function but it has been suggested that because the drug works by boosting dopamine and norepinephrine activity and that dopamine plays an important function in the part of the brain dealing with pleasure it can stimulate the feel good factor from sex. The results were published in the medical journal and Professor Safarinejad stated that no funding had been given by the drug industry.