Female sexual dysfunction affects an estimated 84 million women across the seven major pharmaceutical markets and represents a significant opportunity for investment. The condition can affect a woman's desire, ability to become aroused and orgasm and may include sexual pain. Despite the high prevalence, FSD is poorly understood and there are no currently approved drugs treatments.

• Summary of prevalence estimates of FSD in the seven major markets (US, Japan, France Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK)
• Extensive primary research with key opinion leaders in women's health and FSD on current treatment and future directions
• Secondary research including IMS MIDAS and R&D Focus databases, IDdb3 and Dolphin patent database

Patient potential in FSD is high but with no approved drug treatment there is considerable unmet need in the market. Datamonitor believes that there is the potential to develop a parallel market to that of male erectile dysfunction, which is now a multi-billion dollar arena.

Success of drugs for FSD will depend on physician and patient education and overcoming difficulties in patient presentation and diagnosis. There will be a need for significant investment in promotional activity before and during launch campaigns in order to reach full commercial potential.

The FDA rejection of Procter & Gamble's Intrinsa application for female sexual desire disorder a major setback in developing the market. Many smaller pipeline players are unlikely to be able to invest in the necessary awareness campaigns at launch of their products and could represent licensing and marketing opportunities.

• Assess current disease definitions, classifications and etiology and identify difficulties in accessing the patient population
• Examine approaches to FSD treatment in the pipeline and gauge the impact of P&G's Intrinsa (testosterone patch) NDA withdrawal on the market
• Identify alternative approaches to FSD treatment and highlight opportunities for developing the market