Let's have a heated debate. Is Female Sexual Dysfunction Disorder A Myth?

Is female sexual dysfunction disorder a work of fiction dreamt up by 'Big Pharma' or an under-recognised and under-treated condition that has been side-lined by clinicians for too long?

Arguments around female sexual dysfunction will be debated during the Institute of Psychiatry's (IoP) 41st Maudsley Debate on 2nd February.

Titled 'Love is a Drug', the debate will feature five prominent medical experts battling it out this fascinating argument that divides clinicians, academics and feminists.

The controversy around the definition, prevalence, treatment and even existence of female sexual arousal disorder has proved inflammatory since the term first emerged in the late 1990s. Since Viagra first entered the market, pharmaceutical companies have been scrambling to repeat its success with a similar drug to treat female sexual dysfunction.

Debate around the condition has not abated - it has become a flashpoint for arguments relating to 'medicalisation', inappropriate prescribing and the trustworthiness of published medical evidence and research methodologies. It has also been the subject of argument within feminist literature and the wider history of sexual health and functioning.

The debate will address whether female sexual dysfunction is simply 'drug marketing merging with medical science in a fascinating way' or actually a condition with a 'need for the assessment and treatment of women along the lines of men being assessed and treated for erectile dysfunction'.

For over 20 years, SLaM's Psychosexual and Relationship Service has been offering assessment and treatment for people experiencing difficulties in their sexual lives or with their intimate relationships. The service is staffed by a team of leasing experts with a comprehensive knowledge of intimate relationships, sexuality and sexual dysfunction.

The debate will be chaired by Professor Dinesh Bhugra, Honorary Consultant in the South London and Maudsley's (SLaM) Psychosexual and Relationship Service, and current President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He is also Professor of Mental Health and Cultural Diversity at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London and his main areas of expertise are psychosexual medicine and cross-cultural psychiatry.

'Love is a drug' will be debated by four highly eminent speakers:

For:

- Dr Petra Boynton, lecturer in International Health Services research at University College London

- Dr Ben Goldacre, psychiatrist, philosopher, media commentator and author of best-seller 'Bad Science'

Against:

- Dr Sandy Goldbeck-Wood, former editor of the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and specialist in psychosomatic medicine

- Dr John Dean, sexual medicine specialist and former president of the International Society for Sexual Medicine

'Love is a Drug' will be held at the IoP's Wolfson Lecture Theatre from 6pm on Wednesday 2nd February 2011. Tea and coffee will be served from 5:30pm. The debate is free and open to the public.

The IoP is part of King's College London. It is located at De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF.

Notes

- Professor Dinesh Bhugra is an Honorary Consultant in SLaM's Psychosexual and Relationship Service. He is also Professor of Mental Health and Cultural Diversity at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, and is currently President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

- SLaM's Psychosexual and Relationship Service offers assessment and treatment for people experiencing difficulties in their sexual lives or with their intimate relationships. It also helps people experiencing difficulties associated with hormonal change, including premenstrual or menopausal symptoms, or following surgical or medical interventions. www.national.slam.nhs.uk/psychosexual/

- The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) provides national services to people across the UK. It also provides mental health and substance misuse services for people living in the London Boroughs of Croydon, Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham.

- SLaM offers the most extensive portfolio of mental health services in the United Kingdom, supported by internationally recognised training and research. Each year, 5000 people receive hospital treatment, and 32,000 receive outpatient care. SLaM has a clinical and academic partnership with the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP), part of King's College London.

Source:
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

via medicalnewstoday.com

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