![Viacreme](https://www.mskcc.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/node/3457/images/viacreme101309_3x2.jpg)
Common Names
- Viacreme
For Patients & Caregivers
Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe.
What is it?
There is no scientific evidence that Viacreme can enhance sexual pleasure in women.
Viacreme is a topical cream that contains menthol and L-arginine. It has been promoted to increase sexual response in women by sensitizing the genital area. Many cancer patients may have painful intercourse and difficulty in maintaining arousal resulting from stress, hormonal changes, cancer treatments, or use of antidepressants. The manufacturer claims application of Viacreme in the clitoral region results in genital warming and increased clitoral sensitivity. The L-arginine increases blood flow to the genital tissue. However, this claim is not supported by clinical studies and the positive results of Viacreme may be due to a placebo effect. This product has not been studied in cancer patients.
What are the potential uses and benefits?
Female sexual dysfunction
This use is not backed by scientific studies.
What are the side effects?
Use of Viacreme may result in a strong genital burning sensation.
What else do I need to know?
Patient Warnings:
Sexual dysfunction could be a result of physical, biological, or psychological disorders. Patients should see a doctor before using this product.
Do Not Take if:
- You are sensitive to any of the ingredients.
- You have an infection or irritation in the genital area.
Special Point:
This product is intended for external use only, but should not be used if you have a genital infection or irritation, or have skin sensitivity to menthol or L-arginine.
For Healthcare Professionals
Clinical Summary
Viacreme is a topical formulation of menthol and L-arginine in an aqueous base. It is promoted to enhance sexual responsiveness in women by sensitizing the genital area. Cancer patients may experience symptoms of sexual dysfunction that include painful intercourse, loss of libido, and difficulty in maintaining arousal. These problems may be caused by factors such as stress, hormonal changes, and treatment involving surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy. Application of Viacreme is believed to cause genital warming and increase clitoral sensitivity, although these results may be due to placebo effects.
No clinical trials have been conducted to study the efficacy of Viacreme. Use of Viacreme may cause a sensation of strong genital burning.
This product has not been studied in cancer patients.
Purported Uses and Benefits
- Female sexual dysfunction
Mechanism of Action
Menthol (0.25 - 0.5%) in Viacreme is thought to facilitate absorption of L-arginine and cause increase in vaginal lubrication. L-arginine is converted to nitric oxide by nitric oxide synthase that may result in vasodilation of the genital tissues.
Warnings
Sexual dysfunction could be a result of other complex underlying physical, biological, or psychological disorders. Patients should consult and be monitored by a physician when using this product.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients
- Vulvar irritation, atrophy, or infection
Adverse Reactions
May cause a sensation of strong genital burning.