The Impact of a Topical Sexual Enhancement Cream on the Female Sexual Response and Its Relationship to Clitoral Blood Flow.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this investigation was to determine, through two Investigational Review Board (IRB)-approved studies, if a new topical vasodilating cream (NTVC; Life Science Enhancement Corporation, Pittsburgh PA) could improve female sexual response. Study I subjectively evaluated sexual female response as accessed by a modification of the Female Intervention Efficacy Index (FIEI). FIEI was developed at the University of California as an immediate outcome measure of medical intervention to treat female sexual dysfunction.1 In Study II, 10 randomly selected positive responders from Study I were subsequently analyzed objectively with clitoral plethysmography in order to determine the effect of the NTVC and placebo on blood flow.2 RESULTS: In the subjective Study I (81 patients ranging in age from 18 to 63), a positive response trend for the NTVC was demonstrated compared to the placebo. In the objective Study II, 10 randomly selected patients who responded positive in Study I were objectively evaluated for response of increased blood flow in the clitoris after application of both the NTVC and placebo. The clitoral blood flow was shown to have increased with statistical significance for the NTVC in all 10 patients compared to the placebo, with the NTVC exhibiting an average 69% increase in clitoral blood flow. CONCLUSIONS: The female sexual response is complex. In the subjective Study I, the NTVC demonstrated positive trends for enhanced lubrication, genital sensation, intercourse, and overall sexual experience. In the objective Study II, 10 of the positive subjective responders from Study I were randomly selected to evaluate their response to the NTVC compared to the placebo. This was done via Doppler plethysmography (DP). All 10 patients demonstrated a statistically significant response rate for increase in clitoral blood flow using the NTVC compared to the placebo, with an average blood flow increase of 69%. This portion of the investigation demonstrates a significant positive end organ response to the NTVC. The positive subjective trends combined with the significant and substantial increase in clitoral blood flow may result in enhanced female sexual satisfaction.

Postcoital Sperm Assessment Comparative Study.

This postcoital sperm assessment study was performed over a 10 month time period (November 2014-August 2015). Fifteen couples enrolled in the study. The study was a non-blinded, non-randomized, single-center comparison study comparing The Stork® OTC (Rinovum Women's Health, Monroeville, PA) to natural intercourse (NI), using the subjects as their own control/baseline. This was an efficacy study designed to compare the number of sperm in the cervical mucus following the use of The Stork OTC conception aid with the number of sperm in the cervical mucus following natural intercourse. Subjects used both The Stork OTC conception system and the natural intercourse method to evaluate concentrations of sperm in the cervical mucus. Post-coital test (PCT) data was collected demonstrating higher concentrations of sperm within the cervical mucus with The Stork OTC conception system versus natural intercourse for 85% of test subjects in this study. Of the 15 couples enrolled in the study, 2 were lost to follow-up. Mean age for male subjects was 31.7 +/ 5.4 years of age and mean age for female subjects was 29.7+/- 5.4. The average sperm score value of the 85% of test subjects with higher sperm concentrations from The Stork OTC was 3.23 times the score value of sperm concentration compared to natural intercourse. The remaining 15% of test subjects showed no change in sperm score value between The Stork OTC and natural intercourse.

The YAMA UroPatch sling for treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We report our initial experience using a new suburethral sling made from bovine pericardium for the treatment of urinary incontinence. To prevent rolling and curling of the sling, a unique anti-roll clip is incorporated into the UroPatch. In addition, the sling has a series of perforations that create evenly distributed tissue integration and avoid delayed seroma or hematoma formation, thereby reducing the risk of sling rejection, infection, and erosion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two female patients underwent suburethral sling procedures using the UroPatch. All patients demonstrated urethral hypermobility, intrinsic sphincteric deficiency, or both. Five patients had previous surgical treatment for urinary incontinence. RESULTS: All operations were completed successfully. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. There was no evidence of local or systemic reaction to the UroPatch in any of the patients. With a mean follow-up of 20 months, sling rejection, erosion, or infection has not been demonstrated, and no sling required removal to date. Urinary incontinence was corrected in all but one case. CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot study suggest that the UroPatch is a promising alternative to current slings for the treatment of female urinary incontinence.