Compounds and methods for the treatment of urogenital disorders

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for treating a variety of urogenital disorders, such as, for example, vaginismus, dyspareunia, vulvodynia (including vulvar vestibulitis), interstitial cystitis, nonspecific urethriris (i.e., nonspecific pain and / or burning of the urinary tract) and sexual dysfunctions, such as, for example, female sexual arousal disorders and female sexual orgasmic disorders, using a variety of compounds, including, but not limited to, NO donors, calcium channel blockers, cholinergic modulators, α-adrenergic receptor antagonists, β-adrenergic receptor agonists, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, cAMP-dependent protein kinase activators (e.g., cAMP mimetics), superoxide scavengers, potassium channel activators, estrogen-like compounds, testosterone-like compounds, benzodiazepines, adrenergic nerve inhibitors, antidiarrheal agents, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, smooth muscle relaxants, adenosine receptor modulators, adenylyl cyclase activators, endothelin receptor antagonists, bisphosphonates and cGMP-dependent protein kinase activators (e.g., cGMP mimetics).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60 / 273,901, filed Mar. 6, 2001, and 60 / 334,903, filed Oct. 24, 2001, the teachings of both of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Urogenital disorders affect a large number of women and can have profound effects on life quality. Although a number of treatments are available for some of the most serious gynecological and urinary tract diseases, many urogenital disorders are still poorly understood. As a consequence, treatments are often nonexistent, inefficient and / or invasive. [0003] One example of a relatively rare, yet highly debilitating, urogenital disorder is vaginismus. Vaginismus results from the involuntary spasm of the pelvic muscles surrounding the outer third of the vagina, and interferes with a woman's ability to have a sexual relationship. This disorder is a major cause of unconsumm...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although a number of treatments are available for some of the most serious gynecological and urinary tract diseases, many urogenital disorders are still poorly understood.

As a consequence, treatments are often nonexistent, inefficient and / or invasive.

Vaginismus results from the involuntary spasm of the pelvic muscles surrounding the outer third of the vagina, and interferes with a woman's ability to have a sexual relationship.

This disorder is a major cause of unconsummated marriage, and can result in marked distress, interpersonal difficulty, and infertility.

Although often effective, these treatments are time-consuming and cause high levels of anxiety.

Dyspareunia is also characterized by difficult or painful sexual intercourse, although, unlike with vaginismus, vaginal penetration is possible.

Women with vulvodynia may even experience discomfort from clothing such as tight jeans.

Furthermore, vulvodynia also affects a woman's ability to have sexual intercourse.

Interstitial cystitis can severely affect life quality, as patients suffer from bladder pain, frequency and / or urgency of urination.

Also, people with interstitial cystitis often experience pain during sexual intercourse.

These treatments are often ineffective, invasive and recurrence of the symptoms is frequently observed.

However, it failed to show efficacy in a larger clinical trial including other patients suffering from FSAD.

Phentolamine and testosterone have been used to treat FSAD, but these treatments may not effectively treat all of the symptoms associated with FSAD, and can be accompanied by significant side effects.

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