As easy to use as Viagra, a cream called Topiglan shows promise in treating erectile dysfunction with fewer side effects than the blue pill, reports the urologist leading studies on the drug for MacroChem pharmaceuticals.

Applied to the head of the penis, Topiglan is a new way to deliver a well-established drug called alprostadil, which, like Viagra, increases blood flow to the penis.

“This is truly a novel administration of a well-accepted medicine,” says Dr. Irwin Goldstein, the Boston University urologist leading the current round of studies on Topiglan.

In clinical trials on men with moderate to severe impotence, Topiglan had a 40 percent success rate in producing erections that were likely to have been satisfactory for sexual intercourse, according to the study.

Goldstein’s study involved measuring erections in men who were observed in a partnerless “rather clinical” setting. The next phase of testing, Goldstein said, will include at-home trials.

“No soft lights, no music, not even a partner, and yet, within 45 to 60 minutes of applications, almost 40 percent of the impotent men receiving Topiglan produced erections sufficient for intercourse, versus less than 7 percent receiving a placebo gel,” said Goldstein.

The worst recorded side effect of the cream was skin irritation, reported Goldstein. The side effects of Viagra are well documented, including blurred vision, headaches and potential complications in patients who take other medications.

At present, the options for administering alprostadil are injection at the base of the penis or catheterization in the urethra before intercourse.

Goldstein is cautiously optimistic about the prospects for developing a prescription ointment. MacroChem President Alvin Karloff said the gel could be ready for the American market in two or three years, if continued studies and FDA approval go smoothly.

Meanwhile, another company, NexMex of Robbinsville, N.J., says it is on a fast track to develop a similar alprostadil-based gel, which it hopes to have for sale on international markets early next year, according to vice president Vivian Liu.

That company recently reported favorable results from a study in China among men suffering from mild to moderate impotence.

Karloff did not rule out the possibility of a somewhat accelerated timetable for Topiglan development for the international market. He stressed that an absolute guarantee of Topiglan’s safety and efficacy has to be established.

A Cream for Erectile Dysfunction Passes First Clinical Trial is a post from: The Female G Spot

There is nothing wrong with a few well-worn habits. But the same old, same old can get stale — even with sex.

A moratorium on sex “creates a little more tension, a little more desire,” says Kaplan.

Think you’re ready to give abstinence a try? Keep the following in mind:

Be careful what you ask for.
You don’t want your request to come out like this, “I’d like to not have sex for a while…” Convey the things you’d like to do instead, not the things you don’t want to do.

Be clear about your goals.
If her aim is to explore Oriental and Swedish massage and his aim is to have sex in every way he can think of but intercourse, these lab partners may be off on wildly different experiments.

Start modestly.
Abstaining for one or two weeks is plenty, says Kaplan. This isn’t punishment or penitence; it’s part of your journey of discovery.

Communicate your desires.
Abstinence may make the heart grow fonder, but don’t let the prospect of a little pent-up desire move your decision. A better relationship and improved communication is still the best motivator. A moratorium can be an excellent tool in getting there.

Don’t recognize failure.
What if you violated the moratorium, broke down and had wild sex. So what? Nothing’s lost and everything is gained, says Kaplan. You’ve just found a way to enhance your pleasure, and that was the goal in the first place.

Hold Out for Hotter Stuff is a post from: The Female G Spot

A love story can be beautiful, as when a couple reads from a script like the garden story — a relationship that grows from constant nurturing. It can also be nightmarish, as in the case of the horror story.

Yale psychologist Robert Sternberg in his book, Love is a Story, describes the good and the bad. He has identified 25 love story scripts and says there may be many more.

Do you recognize yourself or anyone you know in these love stories?

House and Home Story: The home is not only the focal point and the symbol of the relationship; it may be more important than the relationship itself. Depending on the people, this is not always a problem.

Travel Story: Love is a journey in which you encounter many challenges, continual change and unlimited opportunities to learn. Doing it together makes the ride more fun, special and enriching. Hopefully you’ll always have the same destination in mind.

Sewing and Knitting Story: A relationship is something you stitch with your own hands. It’s whatever you make of it. Hopefully you have the same garment in mind.

Garden Story: A relationship is like a garden that needs constant nurturing and care. When both actors are reading from this script, it offers the best chance of a happy ending.

Science Story: The couple may over-analyze their relationship, constantly putting it under a microscope. While a little science is good, so is a little passion. This story is often imbalanced.

Business Story: Efficiency is the watchword for the couple that runs their relationship like a business. While the players have a cooperative more than a loving unit, if this is what they want, they will renew the contract year after year.

Cookbook Story: A pinch of quiet time. A dash of shared meals. While there is much nurturing in this script, the couple usually feels that there are exact steps that need to be followed for a relationship to work.

Teacher-Student Story: This is one of the classic unbalanced relationships. One partner has an infinite amount to teach, the other has an infinite amount to learn. There’s often an age difference or an obvious experience gap.

Pornography Story: This script is driven by the need for novel and adventurous sex — lots of it and in ever intensifying ways. There’s often a subtext of exploitation and objectification from one side or the other.

Science-Fiction Story: Opposites attract, right? Perhaps you’re normal and your partner is weird beyond belief — as if from another planet.

Collection Story: The philosophy of a woman who reads from the collection script: “Always have a man waiting in the lurch should your first date bow out on Friday night.” The philosophy of a man collector: “Keep a black book with women’s names and a star rating beside them.” People in this story believe lovers are like CDs in a music collection-go with whatever you are in the mood for.

Art Story: Beauty is everything, personality nothing. People in this story are always ready to trade up to a newer model.

Recovery Story: She was abused or he was an addict. This is often a co-dependent relationship in which healing becomes the central theme. The couple may not be happier after recovery has taken place, if it ever does.

Religion Story: Version 1: Two people are united in their quest to know and serve God. Version 2: The relationship itself is a religion, and salvation is offered through the relationship.

Game Story: There is endless competition between the couple — and there can only be one winner. The line separating reality and fantasy tends to get blurred, creating both excitement and the potential for relationship destruction.

Fantasy Story: He meets the girl of his dreams, and she is swept off her feet. The couple believes that the honeymoon will never end, but it always does.

History Story: The couple ponders bloodlines, reconstructs anniversaries and landmarks, and gazes at photo albums. Lots of great memories, and a few unshakable grudges as well.

Theater Story: Usually we act out scripts without realizing it, but in this story, one person’s attention seeking and flair for the dramatic makes everything too stagy. The couple also may be very happy on the same script, but their friends are unlikely to think them very deep.

Humor Story: One or both of you is a comedian, and one or both of you is a captive audience for the constant jokes. Nothing is taken very seriously.

Mystery Story: One may delight in keeping secrets; the other in digging them up. She thinks, “He’s just the strong silent type.” But she may be disappointed if she learns he really doesn’t have much to say.

Sacrifice Story: Another unbalanced script, in the sacrifice story one is enslaved to the other and may even serve with a kind of worshipping spirit. Theoretically, both can be sacrificers, but it usually doesn’t happen that way.

Police Story: The perpetual themes are suspicion, surveillance and punishment. Jealousy moves the bad cop dangerously close to criminal behavior.

Horror Story: This script includes violence, stalking and terror. Deep down, the victim may not want to leave, deriving satisfaction from the relationship in ways most people don’t understand.

Addiction Story: Addiction here is defined as the need always to be with the partner. The addict goes through withdrawal as if from a drug. Meanwhile, the other may get a high from being needed to such a degree.

War Story: Perpetual war on the home front is not uncommon for the couple in this story. They may stay with each other despite the constant battle.

25 Love Stories is a post from: The Female G Spot

Once you identify which scripts your relationship follows, you can begin to recognize the role you play. Let’s say you mostly follow the garden story, but you pick up the business script—organizing, budgeting and planning every last detail—every time you go on vacation. Your partner may feel overwhelmed by the urgency of your approach in this area.

One fascinating tenet of Sternberg’s theory is that some people may never find a mate who shares a given script. The best they can hope for is to meet someone with a more compatible script.

Not all shared scripts are matches made in heaven. Consider these “asymmetrical” relationships.

The Teacher-Student Story
Like Rita in the movie, the student is likely to assert herself after a time and ruffle the feathers of her teacher. If the student doesn’t progress, there can be other problems; the teacher grows tired of handholding. Either way, eventually resentments arise.

The Sacrifice Story
Some people are just happiest giving and serving and slaving on another’s behalf. Resentments may develop on the part of the giver, just as contempt may grow on the part of the receiver.

The Police Story
The themes are suspicion, surveillance and punishment. It is a mistake to assume that the man always plays the bad cop, says Sternberg. The biggest problem with this love story is that it frequently degenerates into a far worse script, like the horror story.

The Horror Story
A short distance stands between surveillance and stalking, scolding and battery.

O.J. Simpson may not have been found guilty, but the prosecution presented a case detailing his alleged progression from bad cop to terrorizer.

Unfortunately, many people don’t learn from the sad movies they’ve starred in, says Sternberg. They go right on to another relationship with the same typecasting, pairing up again with someone who works in their unhappy script.

The theory of Love Stories helps us understand our emotions and our values. By better understanding who we are and why we act in predictable ways, we have a fighting chance to combat the notion that history must repeat itself.

Look for a Solid Script is a post from: The Female G Spot

In “The Drought” episode from the first season of Sex and the City, the very promiscuous Samantha decides to take a break from sex after an enlightening cup of coffee with her handsome yoga instructor who practices tantric celibacy.

The exercise in abstinence doesn’t last long. Rabid with desire by her next yoga class, a frustrated Sam propositions the men stretching and breathing within earshot until she gets a taker for an afternoon romp.

It makes for good cable, but can celibacy really put the va-voom back in your bedroom?

Oh, yeah, say relationship experts who believe that taking a breather from all sex, or from just intercourse, can rev up desire, promote greater intimacy (if you spend the time doing other things), and lead to new avenues of mutual pleasure.

“For long-term partners, sex becomes convenient — like going to the refrigerator and grabbing something to eat,” says Carol Kaplan, a marriage and family counselor in Monterey, Calif. “Sometimes by going straight for the dessert, we forget about the meal.”

If sex is the dessert, the meal is everything else that deepens your relationship and strengthens your bond.

Sex and marriage counselors have long used the sex moratorium as a way to see what’s going on in a relationship. Is he pressuring himself to perform? Is she getting the hugs and kisses she wants? Are they having sex because they think it’s something they should do?

Kevin Gogin, a marriage and family counselor practicing in San Francisco, says the bedroom is a “microcosm” of the relationship as a whole. Change the dynamic there, and you learn a lot about patterns of relating and communicating.

Even a couple that feels they have a fun and fulfilling sex life unburdened by large problems can benefit from a break.

A moratorium, writes Jack Morin, Ph.D., inThe Erotic Mind: Unlocking the Inner Sources of Passion and Fulfillment, allows you to gain “fresh perspective” and detach yourself from “well-worn habits” that prevent experimentation.

You are voluntarily creating an environment of uncertainty that is usually the framework for discovery, he writes.

Abstinence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder is a post from: The Female G Spot

Men should be less manly in the bedroom.

So advises Bernie Zilbergeld, author of The New Sexuality: The Truth About Men, Sexand Pleasure, which combines common sense on how to improve your sex life with uncommon knowledge — such as the fact that a soft penis can provide nearly as much pleasure as an erect one.

He won’t argue that men and women are fundamentally the same, but he says many differences are learned. As boys and girls, we were more alike than different, he says. As we grew up, we developed social roles that discouraged men from displaying softer virtues. By matching yin for yang, men will give themselves a much-needed break. And women won’t mind the change.

He suggests adopting the softer skills of listening, opening up and communicating. The big payoff is relaxation and comfort.

“It’s too bad we think of the qualities of sensitivity and concern for your partner as feminine,” he says. “All qualities can be cultivated by both sexes.”

Cast aside the macho ethic of performance-on-demand, of always being in the mood, of pretending you know what to do even when you haven’t a clue.

Zilbergeld suggests you:

• Relate more non-sexually as a path to closeness and trust.
• Find numerous expressions of affection, including holding hands, cuddling, hugging and kissing.
• Change your mind if you believe all physical contact must lead to sex.
• Practice being attentive.
• Legitimize crying.
• Take your partner’s feelings, ideas and opinions seriously.

All said, Zilbergeld believes men need to balance sensitivity with assertiveness.

Since the 1970s, some men — perhaps internalizing the Alan Alda male ideal over the Burt Reynolds image — have become too timid, too careful, he says. Balance is key.

Matching Yin for Yang in Bed is a post from: The Female G Spot

Compatibility of values and goals reduces conflict, which may cut down the urge to part, says David Buss, author of The Evolution of Desire.

But there’s something more compelling than compatibility that has kept couples together throughout history and just might offer a kind of staying power to modern-day marriages.

Picture the husband felling trees and moving rocks while the wife sows and weeds. This is the economics of a bonding. Interdependence is a prescription for a successful relationship, according to Fisher, author of Anatomy of Love.

If interdependence worked to keep things friendly on the farm, perhaps collaboration keeps couples together in modern society – collaboration other than children, that is. Studies have shown that couples who have one or two children are no likelier to soothe the seven-year itch than those with no children.

We’re talking about raising plants in a greenhouse together, working as a team to campaign for your favorite candidate or playing the piano while your spouse sings. More than sharing common interests, you share a common goal.

A little lovin’ doesn’t hurt

Of course, romance is another invaluable component to a successful relationship. Why not live like it’s your first year together? For guys, that means gifts, winning her love. Remember how hard you used to work for her attentions? For women this means stroking his ego, listening with interest and responding to his loving gestures. In short, stop taking each other for granted and break the stagnant pattern.

The later the marriage, the less scratchy the itch

The peak age range for divorce and remarriage is from the late 20s to the early 30s. Couples who hook up in their 40s and 50s are more likely to stay together than their younger counterparts, says Fisher.

Today’s baby boomers, she writes, “seem to be entering this final state, searching for a soul mate. Most will marry or remarry and remain together. It’s in their genes.”

A couple that plows together stays together is a post from: The Female G Spot

You can pretend you are immune. You may go around singing I Only Have Eyes for You. Even if you’re on key, you’re probably lying.

The Seven-Year Itch is reality, folks — for men and women.

“The cross-cultural data are pretty clear we are designed for serial monogamy,” says Dean Hamer, a biochemist with the National Institutes of Health.

The urge to merge is at some point replaced by the urge to split, and studies worldwide confirm this.

Evolutionarily speaking, men seek sexual variety and ample mating opportunities to “spread the seed.” Women seek to secure the best provider possible for themselves and their children.

This “pattern of decay” in sexual relationships is particularly strong for men and women in their prime reproductive years, according to researcher Helen Fisher.

But while some would say we’re biologically and historically destined to experience the seven-year itch, there are enough success stories out there to convince us straying is not mapped out in our DNA.

Wake up and smell the post-paleolithic world

Most men don’t want to fulfill their erstwhile biological mandate. “Social commitment is as important as any rush of testosterone,” says Jim McKenna, professor of biological anthropology at the University of Notre Dame. You may find women other than your wife attractive, but that doesn’t mean you’ll act on it.

Hollywood and some anthropologists would have us believe that women would trade in their husbands for a wealthier model if given the chance Demi Moore’s character had in the movie Indecent Proposal. But the reality is most women have more invested in their relationships with their husbands than a bank account. Not to mention the fact that many women also earn their own living.

Soothing the 7-Year Itch is a post from: The Female G Spot

In some parallel universe, sex is perfect. Not only is it always flat-out fantastic; you get precisely what you want without asking.

In this universe, you have to ask.

1. Make your request an invitation.
Use positive words and phrases, says Kevin Gogin, a marriage and family counselor. “I thought it would be fun if …”

2. Be specific.
It may seem awkward to give a tutorial in the middle of lovemaking, but practice makes perfect.

3. Make everything voluntary.
When you put the pressure on, the message is, “You better give me what I deserve.” Asking instead of telling makes your request a choice.

4. Cater to your partner’s desires.
The more you take interest in what thrills her, the more she will want to do likewise.

5. Feel free to change your mind.
Expressing your likes, writes Dr. Miriam Stoppard in The Magic Of Sex, “doesn’t mean … you might express a different preference on a different occasion.”

6. Be adventurous — a little at a time.
Before you whip out the handcuffs, “start with something simple,” advises Michael Castleman in Sexual Solutions.

7. Master love outside the bedroom.
Do you give her a foot rub without prompting? Do you seek him out the second you walk in the door? Work on giving each other what you want on many levels.

8. Don’t take it too seriously.
Sex may be an important part of your life, but a single experience is not. Keep it fun and playful.

9. Open up to new experiences.
And put them in writing, suggests Tracey Cox, author of Hot Relationships. Each person lists 10 things he or she would like to do in bed. Trade lists. Ditch what you can’t agree on.

Communicate Your Desires is a post from: The Female G Spot

Mark and Heather Roberts

He: Is a 44-year-old federal agent.

How they met: Roberts met his wife Heather at a restaurant in Newport Beach, Calif., where both were working at the time.

What he loved about her then:”We were helping a mutual friend move, and Heather was wearing shorts,” he remembers. “So I was initially attracted by her legs. After that, she invited me to go dancing with some friends and she was really nice.”

What he loves about her still: The Roberts have been married for nearly 14 years, and over that time Mark’s attraction to Heather has evolved.

“When I think about loving Heather now, I don’t really focus on the physical aspect,” he says. “I mostly think about the inside — how nice she is and how great she is with our kids.”

Joe and Ilene Dimitri

He: Is a 51 year-old wine store manager.

How they met:Twenty-two years ago Joe met his wife Ilene at the last place anyone expects to meet his future wife.

“We met in a bar,” laughs Joe. “She was a cocktail waitress and I was an unsuspecting customer.”

What he loved about her then: “I noticed her eyes first, but I was probably most attracted to her because she looked like Lorraine Newman fromSaturday Night Live. I think that’s the real reason.”

What he loves about her still: They’ve been married for 15 years, and while Ilene has since outgrown the Lorraine Newman look, Joe says he continues to love her for many of the same qualities he was drawn to in 1979.

“I’m still attracted to her eyes, plus her sense of humor, her intelligence and sense of style,” he says. “I always liked those things about her.”

Her story: Ilene says Joe’s attraction to her has grown stronger over the years. “He tells me that I’m more beautiful now than ever,” she says. “It’s interesting how the initial components of attraction are still there.”

Sam and Lisa Armor

He: Is a 48-year-old massage therapist.

How they met: Sam met his wife Lisa at a San Francisco art show.

What he loved about her then:”Lisa was easily the most stunning woman in the room,” he says. “She had long, blond hair and the brightest green eyes. I went up to her and made a silly comment about a painting she was admiring, and we ended up spending the rest of the evening together.”

What he loves about her still: Though Sam says that he was initially attracted by Lisa’s looks, he soon came to admire her spirituality and healthy outlook on life. After 19 years of marriage, she still charms him.

“Lisa loves going to yoga classes and eating good food, so she’s really taken care of her body,” says Armor. “She does that for herself, not for me. She’s still gorgeous, but that’s just a bonus. Lisa has a wonderful soul, and we share the same values. I can’t imagine being with anyone else.”

So just what has kept the attraction alive for these men through decades of marriage, while others go running for affairs or divorces?

“Marriage is a ‘people-growing’ process, and if you don’t give up on yourself and your partner, you can go on to have thebest sex and intimacy of your lives in middle age,” asserts Schnarch.

The maturity and openness these men show their wives is only part of the equation. Their wives’ attitudes also help to fuel the flames. All four women radiate a confidence that is far more alluring and enduring than long legs in short shorts or sparkling green eyes.

This confidence is a powerful aphrodisiac. “In the letters that I get, men say the thing that really turns them on is when women know that they’re sexy and act like it,” says Levine. “Not by dressing youthfully or wearing too-short skirts, but by projecting confidence in themselves, their bodies and their sexuality.”

And one of the best ways to make a woman feel confident and beautiful, Levine says, is to tell her how attractive she is. “The happiest couples tend to compliment each other frequently,” she says. “People who do that are much less likely to stray or be unhappy.”

Sure beats signing your soul away for eternal youth.

Couples is a post from: The Female G Spot