http://finance.individual.com/display_news.asp?doc_id=CT2001215p5720&page=news
August 3, 2001 2:51pm
ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug 3, 2001 /PRNewswire
via COMTEX/ -- The first published study on the Eros(TM) Therapy in the
May Journal of Gender Specific Medicine revealed improvement in sensation,
lubrication, ability to achieve orgasm and an increase in sexual satisfaction
in women diagnosed with Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD).
Of the women in the study with complaints
of FSD who used the Eros therapy, 80 percent reported increased sensation;
70 percent reported increased lubrication; 60 percent reported an increased
ability to achieve orgasm and 90 percent reported increased sexual satisfaction.
Additionally, there were no adverse
side effects to using the Eros therapy reported by study participants.
Dr. Steven K. Wilson, clinical professor
of urology, University of Arkansas, Van Buren, Ark.; Dr. John R. Delk II,
Southwest Impotence Center, Van Buren, Ark.; and Dr. Kevin Billups, clinical
assistant professor, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, conducted the
study over a six-week period. The Eros therapy manufacturer UroMetrics,
Inc. sponsored the study.
These results reflect similar findings
from earlier clinical trials of the Eros therapy that were submitted to
the FDA for clearance to market in May 2000.
"We believe this study supports the
idea that increasing blood flow to the clitoris can help generate a healthy
sexual response," said Dr. Billups. "This was particularly evident when
even women without signs of sexual dysfunction experienced improvements
in sexual satisfaction after blood flow was increased."
Data from the study also indicated
that patients with FSD who were also post-menopausal reported much greater
improvement in orgasm response than pre-menopausal women. Sixty-four percent
of post-menopausal women reported improved ability to achieve orgasm, compared
with 44 percent of pre-menopausal women.
"With so many women affected by FSD,
we're pleased that further studies demonstrate the success of the Eros
therapy and give physicians a treatment option for their patients," Dr.
Billups said.
Additional clinical studies on the
effectiveness of the Eros therapy are underway that focus on women with
cervical cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and post-menopausal women.
These groups of women may be predisposed to experiencing arousal symptoms
of FSD resulting from insufficient blood flow to the clitoris and genitalia.
The Eros therapy, the first FDA cleared-to-market
treatment for FSD, is a small hand-held patient home device designed to
increase blood flow to the clitoris and genitalia. The Eros therapy conditions
the sexual responses by applying a gentle vacuum over the clitoris that
increases blood flow to the clitoris and genitalia. The expanding arteries
put pressure on the nerves that facilitate the natural sexual responses
and the benefits of increased clitoral sensation, vaginal lubrication,
increase in ability to achieve orgasm and improvement in sexual satisfaction.
The Eros therapy is available by
prescription only, and costs $359. Several insurance companies have provided
coverage for the device with medical necessity.
The available clinical data is so
compelling that until reimbursement policy becomes widespread, UroMetrics
is offering patients a manufacturers guarantee 60-day trial period.
FSD is a complex condition that affects
more than 43 percent of American women to some degree. Physiological causes
of FSD can result from other medical conditions and medications that lead
to inadequate blood flow to the clitoris and genitalia resulting in reduced
clitoral sensitivity or numbness, a lack of lubrication, difficulty or
inability to achieve an orgasm and lowered overall sexual satisfaction.
Key risk factors for FSD include trauma to the pelvic area, smoking, vascular
disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, menopause or surgery. Medication
side effects, including anti-depressants and some blood pressure medications,
can reduce sexual desire.
Psychological causes of FSD include
low self-esteem or body image or a history of physical or psychological
abuse.
For more information on Female Sexual
Dysfunction, the Eros therapy and an FSD screening tool, visit HTTP://WWW.WOMENSSEXUALHEALTH.COM
UroMetrics is a privately held medical
device company based in St. Paul, Minn. To obtain copies of the clinical
studies, or for more information on the Eros therapy or UroMetrics, call
651-774-1552 or visit HTTP://WWW.UROMETRICS.COM
SOURCE UroMetrics, Inc.
CONTACT: Kim Wickline,
+1-952-897-9461, kwickline@kerker.com , or Saunya
Copyright (C) 2001 PR Newswire
Source: PR Newswire
Peterson, +1-952-897-9469, speterson@kerker.com , both of Kerker for
UroMetrics, Inc.
URL:
HTTP://WWW.WOMENSSEXUALHEALTH.COM
HTTP://WWW.UROMETRICS.COM