Treatment of sexual dysfunction and for improved sexual quality of life

Abstract

Compositions and methods for treating sexual dysfunction and enhancing sexual satisfaction using topical application of alpha-1 adrenergic receptor agonists, muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, and cholinesterase inhibitors are disclosed.

1 . A method of increasing sexual satisfaction in a female subject comprising applying a therapeutically effective amount of an active agent selected from the group consisting of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, and cholinesterase inhibitors topically to a nipple-areola complex of the female subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method results in the female subject having increased sexual self-esteem, increased self-perception of femininity, and/or increased self-esteem. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the female subject has undergone breast surgery prior to application of the active agent and the surgery resulted in a reduction of nipple sensitivity. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the active agent is applied in a sufficient amount to cause erection of the nipple or increased nipple sensitivity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , or wherein the active agent is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selected from the group consisting of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M 2  agonists and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M 3  agonists. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , or wherein the active agent is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selected from the group consisting of NNC 11-1585, NNC 11-1607, pentylthio-TZTP, NNC 11-1314, xanomeline, sabcomeline, arecaidine propargyl ester, acetylcholine, arecoline, oxotremorine, McN-A-343, milameline, oxotremorine-M, methylfurmethide, bethanechol, carbachol, furtrethonium, methacholine, aceclidine, pilocarpine, and muscarine. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , or wherein the active agent is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selected from the group consisting of varenicline tartrate, galantamine hydrobromide, nicotine, carbachol, suxamethonium chloride (succinylcholine chloride), and epibatidine. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , or wherein the active agent is a cholinesterase inhibitor selected from the group consisting of physostigmine, neostigmine, edrophonium, pyridostigmine, echotihiophate, ambenonium, demecarium, tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and pralidoxime. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the female subject has reduced sensitivity at the nipple-areola complex before applying the active agent. 
     
     
         10 . A method of treating female sexual dysfunction, the method comprising applying a therapeutically effective amount of an active agent selected from the group consisting of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, and cholinesterase inhibitors topically to a nipple-areola complex of a female subject in need of such treatment. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the composition is applied in a sufficient amount to cause erection of the nipple or increased nipple sensitivity. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the active agent is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selected from the group consisting of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M 2  agonists and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M 3  agonists. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the active agent is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selected from the group consisting of NNC 11-1585, NNC 11-1607, pentylthio-TZTP, NNC 11-1314, xanomeline, sabcomeline, arecaidine propargyl ester, acetylcholine, arecoline, oxotremorine, McN-A-343, milameline, oxotremorine-M, methylfurmethide, bethanechol, carbachol, furtrethonium, methacholine, aceclidine, pilocarpine, and muscarine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the active agent is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selected from the group consisting of varenicline tartrate, galantamine hydrobromide, nicotine, carbachol, suxamethonium chloride (succinylcholine chloride), and epibatidine. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the active agent is a cholinesterase inhibitor selected from the group consisting of physostigmine, neostigmine, edrophonium, pyridostigmine, echotihiophate, ambenonium, demecarium, tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and pralidoxime. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the female sexual dysfunction is selected from the group consisting of female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD), female orgasmic disorder (FOD) and female hypoactive sexual desire disorder (FHSDD). 
     
     
         17 . A method of reducing or alleviating a symptom of female sexual dysfunction, the method comprising applying a therapeutically effective amount of an active agent selected from the group consisting of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, and cholinesterase inhibitors topically to a nipple-areola complex of a female subject in need of such treatment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the symptom of female sexual dysfunction is a symptom of female hypoactive sexual desire disorder (FHSDD), female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD), female orgasmic disorder (FOD) or female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD). 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the symptom of female sexual dysfunction is a symptom of female sexual interest/arousal disorder selected from the group consisting of (1) absent/reduced interest in sexual activity; (2) absent/reduced sexual/erotic thoughts or fantasies; (3) no/reduced initiation of sexual activity, and typically unreceptive to a partner's attempts to initiate; (4) absent/reduced sexual excitement/pleasure during sexual activity in almost all or all sexual encounters; (5) absent/reduced sexual interest/arousal in response to any internal or external sexual/erotic cues; and (6) absent/reduced genital or nongenital sensations during sexual activity in almost all or all sexual encounters. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the active agent is applied in a sufficient amount to cause erection of the nipple or increased nipple sensitivity. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the active agent is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selected from the group consisting of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M 2  agonists and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M 3  agonists. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the active agent is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selected from the group consisting of NNC 11-1585, NNC 11-1607, pentylthio-TZTP, NNC 11-1314, xanomeline, sabcomeline, arecaidine propargyl ester, acetylcholine, arecoline, oxotremorine, McN-A-343, milameline, oxotremorine-M, methylfurmethide, bethanechol, carbachol, furtrethonium, methacholine, aceclidine, pilocarpine, and muscarine. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the active agent is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selected from the group consisting of varenicline tartrate, galantamine hydrobromide, nicotine, carbachol, suxamethonium chloride (succinylcholine chloride), and epibatidine. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the active agent is a cholinesterase inhibitor selected from the group consisting of physostigmine, neostigmine, edrophonium, pyridostigmine, echotihiophate, ambenonium, demecarium, tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and pralidoxime. 
     
     
         25 . A method of causing erection of nipples, increasing nipple sensitivity, increasing duration of orgasm, reducing time to orgasm, and/or increasing oxytocin release related to sexual activity in a female subject comprising applying an effective amount of an active agent selected from the group consisting of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, and cholinesterase inhibitors topically to a nipple-areola complex of the female subject. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the method is to increase nipple sensitivity in a female subject that had breast surgery. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the method is to increase nipple sensitivity in a female subject who has not undergone breast surgery. 
     
     
         28 . A method for treating neuropathy in the nipple areola complex in a female subject comprising applying an effective amount of an active agent selected from the group consisting of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, and cholinesterase inhibitors topically to a nipple-areola complex of the female subject. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the active agent is applied in a sufficient amount to cause erection of the nipple. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the active agent is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selected from the group consisting of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M 2  agonists and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M 3  agonists. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the active agent is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selected from the group consisting of NNC 11-1585, NNC 11-1607, pentylthio-TZTP, NNC 11-1314, xanomeline, sabcomeline, arecaidine propargyl ester, acetylcholine, arecoline, oxotremorine, McN-A-343, milameline, oxotremorine-M, methylfurmethide, bethanechol, carbachol, furtrethonium, methacholine, aceclidine, pilocarpine, and muscarine. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the active agent is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist selected from the group consisting of varenicline tartrate, galantamine hydrobromide, nicotine, carbachol, suxamethonium chloride (succinylcholine chloride), and epibatidine. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the active agent is a cholinesterase inhibitor selected from the group consisting of physostigmine, neostigmine, edrophonium, pyridostigmine, echotihiophate, ambenonium, demecarium, tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and pralidoxime. 
     
     
         34 . The method of one of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied within one hour prior to a sexual activity. 
     
     
         35 . The method of one of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a premenopausal female.