Readers React: Why women deserve a ‘pink Viagra’

To the editor: As a woman who personally told my story to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Oct. 27 at the landmark meeting on the need for medical treatments for female sexual dysfunction, I was offended by this Op-Ed article. (“The sham drug idea of the year: ‘pink Viagra,’” Op-Ed, Nov. 13)

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder is a very real condition. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual recognized it more than 30 years ago. I live with its impacts every day.

The women who spoke were not and did not need to be coached — they needed to be heard. The FDA recognizes this isn’t all in our heads, as it named female sexual dysfunction among its 20 priority unmet needs. I’m astounded that the authors didn’t mention this fact.

It’s a shame that, in 2014, this anti-woman sentiment is allowed to continue. Sex is a basic human right. Women deserve medical treatment options.

Beverly Wiesen, Irvine

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