teaMMayaBlue

There's a patch to help people stop smoking on the market and one to prevent pregnancy, as well. But the patch to enhance a woman's sexual desire (Intrinsa) may not be approved anytime soon. An expert panel has recommended that the Food and Drug Administration wait for additional data proving the safety of this women's version of Viagra.

It's by clinical studies that experimental products such as the Intrinsa passion patch must prove their safety and effectiveness to earn the FDA's approval for marketing.

Female Aphrodisiac: Not Far Behind
One product is worth keeping a hopeful eye on, though it is still in preliminary trials: PT-141, a synthetic form of a brain hormone, which is right behind Intrinsa in the race to become the first bona fide female aphrodisiac. The drug, which is being studied, too, for use in men to promote erections, has completed its first-phase trials in women. So far, it has aroused female rats, causing them to chase after males to feed their spiked sexual appetite. Other products to promote sexual health are in various stages of clinical trials.

Other products to promote sexual health are in various stages of clinical trials. Showing promise against impotence:

• Uprima. Two forms — a tablet dissolved under the tongue and a nasal spray — both stimulate the brain chemical dopamine to intensify sexual sensations. Clinical trials continue in the United States for this drug, already available in Europe, which has been associated with fainting in a small number of people who have taken it.
• Topiglan. Topiglan, a version of the drug alprostadil that is already used in injection and suppository forms, is applied to the penis as a gel or cream and could become the first topical drug to treat erectile dysfunction.
• Alibra. This version of alprostadil under review by the FDA contains a painkiller and is longer lasting than its approved predecessor.

When a couple's sex life has turned sour, physical problems may not be the only factor. There's often an emotional component too, says human sexuality expert Barnaby Barratt, Ph.D., president of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists.

"From 30 years of clinical experience, I can tell you that all people — even those who think they're very cool about sex — have conflicts that create shame, guilt and anxiety."

As a rule, too, both people in a relationship contribute to the sexual problems. "Finger-pointing and blaming are never productive for improving a couple's sexual life, because inevitably in this context it takes two to tango," Barratt says.

Putting yourself in each other's position can be a helpful first step in recapturing the sexual spark, and for that, it helps to know about the following Mars-Venus differences between the sexes.

Women React Differently Than Men to ...

An X-rated video
It's what they see that arouses most men. While some women find it sexy to see erotic pictures or scenes in magazines or on videos, others are totally turned off by them. Words ("I love you" are three to try) and touch (a gentle caress in a nonsexual way, for starters, or a back or foot rub) are better-bet approaches to melting your female partner's heart and preparing her for a passionate rendezvous.

A touch on the cheek
Nonsexual touch can be exciting for women, though it's seen by many men as a needless delay on the way to sex play. A soft, nongenital touch is a romantic way to convey affection, women tend to feel, so men might be better off skipping the sex video in favor of an affectionate cuddle and caress.

Watching sports while making whoopie
Women want their man to be present in the moment while making love. Forget watching football players making a great play; keep your eye on the ball in your own bedroom if you want a chance to get lucky tonight. Men can wreck the romance even with the TV turned off, by focusing too much on their erection and disconnecting from the sexual moment.

Women's Work
Women, make an effort to understand his sexual preferences. Leaving the TV on while making love might be a lot to ask, but understand when he views a "nongenital" touch as just a waste of time. Once in a while, skip the romantic steps and get right down to the sexual stuff. For foreplay, consider this for a compromise: a pornographic video that actually has a plot!