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| |  DG DISPATCH - AUA: Topical alprostadil produces significant clitoral hemodynamic changes By Emma Patten Special to DG News
ATLANTA, GA -- May 2, 2000 -- The vasoactive drug alprostadil can be used to mimic the hemodynamic effects of self-stimulation, researchers report. Consequently, alprostadil may be a useful alternative to self-stimulation in the preparation of patients for ultrasound of clitoral arteries. Edgardo F. Becher, MD, and colleagues from the University of Buenos Aires, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, reported their results Monday (May 1) at the American Urological Association's 95th Annual Meeting, in Atlanta, GA. The group used color duplex ultrasound to evaluate 18 women, aged 18 to 61 years (average age 42.5 years), before and after administrating 1g of alprostadil cream 0.2%. The group then evaluated clitoral arteries sagitally using a 7.5 MHz linear probe. "If sexual stimulation is not available or acceptable, either from the physician or patient's point of view, then this cream could be used to create the vasodilatory effect that is necessary to evaluate an artery," explained Dr. Becher. The parameters measured included peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, and resistance index. All women experienced labial and clitoral engorgement, 13 women (72 percent) reported a pleasant sensation of warmth in the genital area, and 11 percent reported mild burning. No systemic effects were found. "The findings are similar to those reported after sexual stimulation, showing that topical vasoactive drugs may help in the evaluation of women suffering from sexual dysfunction," the researchers note. "Further research will dictate its role in clinical applications."
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