Pharmacogenomics and sexuality: a vision.

AbstractFemale sexual dysfunction (FSD) is multidimensional with a complex interplay of biopsychosocial factors modulating the clinical expression of sexual symptoms and associated distress. During the entire reproductive lifespan, intra- and interpersonal experiences shape human neuroendocrine and neurovascular sexual pathways. These are dependent on genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, including acquired medical conditions. Understanding the genetic basis of FSD can help to determine clinical phenotypes of women and therefore postulate the most effective intervention according to biological, psychological or environmental determinants. However, there is a paucity of studies demonstrating a genetic contribution to FSD and a diverse modulation of innate and acquired factors on discrete domains of sexual response and distress. This is evident from menarche to menopause. Pharmacogenomics is still in its infancy in the field of sexual medicine and most data regarding genetic polymorphisms of drug targets assoc...