There once was a time when conversations about sexual pleasure were only conducted behind closed doors. Today, sexual enhancement information is so common that it's not surprising to hear a 5-year-old child singing the "Viva Viagra" theme song. In addition to television ads, marketers of these products bombard emails and popular Internet websites with a fervor and persistence that can almost be described as religious. Most of these products are designed for men. The reasons for this are unknown. Perhaps female sexuality is perceived as complex and mysterious. Female sexual enhancements products do, however, exist, even if they are less common than those designed for men. They are available as medications, lubricating ointments and mechanical devices.
Good Vibrations
Leave it to the famous Kinsey Institute to do a study on the use of vibrators in the United States. The study, titled "Prevalence and Characteristics of Vibrator Use by Women in the United States: Results from a Nationally Representative Study" was published in the May 2009 edition of the "Journal of Sexual Medicine." The researchers prepared a sample study of 3,800 women between the ages of 18 to 60 years and found that 52.5 percent of the women reported that they used a vibrator on a regular basis. Users claimed that their vibrator enhanced arousal, desire, lubrication and orgasm.
Kegel Exercisers
The Kegel exercise was first developed by a man named Dr. Arnold Kegel. Controlling urinary incontinence was its original purpose, but women soon found that performing Kegel exercise enhanced their sexual pleasure. While these exercises can easily be performed without equipment, some companies have developed Kegel exercise devices. For example, the vaginal barbell is a small device that can be inserted in the vagina. A woman tightens her pelvic floor muscles to squeeze the barbell. Other companies make a plastic, progressive resistance pelvic floor exerciser, which allows users to contract the pelvic floor against the resistance of the springs.
Lubricants
Menopause and other medical conditions may cause a drying of the vaginal area. Some women use vaginal creams, ointments or inserts to create lubrication. Doctors may also prescribe estrogen therapy in the form of a pill or a slow-release vaginal suppository.
Medications
The "Kinsey International Encyclopedia of Sexuality" cites research that shows a high correlation between sexual dysfunction and certain antidepressant drugs, including Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac. While in most cases, Viagra has not been proven to be effective for women, research published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" indicated that the erectile dysfunction drug may be effective for counteracting the effects of antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction. The study, which was performed at the University of New Mexico, involved 98 women who were experiencing sexual problems as a result of antidepressant use. The researchers found that 72 percent of the subjects experienced improved sex drive after taking Viagra.
