Antidepressant‐Induced Inhibition of Genital Vascular Responses Is Reversed by Vardenafil in Female Rabbits

Potentiation of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway by vardenafil improves vascular sexual responses in female rabbits and overcomes the inhibitory effects of acutely administered antidepressants on GVR, irrespective of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism, i.e., disruption of the NO pathway or enhancement of α‐adrenergic mechanisms. PDE5 inhibition may represent a reasonable approach to treat SRI‐ or SRNI‐induced female sexual dysfunction, in particular, arousal disorders. Angulo J, Cuevas P, Cuevas B, Bischoff E, and Saenz de Tejada I. Antidepressant‐induced inhibition of genital vascular responses is reversed by vardenafil in female rabbits. J Sex Med 2006;3:988-995.